Indians grow up in hostile territory

Hopefully we have grown up as a football team.

Despite two turnovers that led to Illinois State touchdowns, we were still tied 16-16 at the half last Saturday. During the halftime I told our squad that this was the time we need to become a football team. We need to find a way to win this game and start a tradition of Southeast football that we have all been working and looking forward to the last year and a half.

We fell behind by 14 points in the third quarter, but our players and coaches still believed and found a way to come back and win the game 38-33. Hopefully we have grown up.

Along the way we had some great individual performances as players made the plays needed to give us the win. Senior Alex Alameda, who has seen very little playing time during his Southeast career, made a touchdown saving tackle on an Illinois State kickoff return.

Freshman wide receiver Mark McCluney made some key catches to keep drives alive. Freshman kicker Derek Kutz, who had earlier missed an extra point, nailed a 43-yard field goal in the final quarter.

Bobby Brune hit Adrian Sanders with a perfect pass in the end zone to pull us within a touchdown and then Sanders came back to throw an 80-yard TD pass to Willie Ponder on an end-around play. After we had an extra point blocked, we still trailed by one, but the defense rose to the occasion and forced a punt.

The Redbirds punted to Curtis Cooper at our 30-yard line and he got great blocks from O.J. Turner and Isaac Huddleston as he returned the punt 70 yards for a Southeast victory. Players were in the right places and made the plays and we had a win on the road over a very talented football team. Hopefully we have grown up.

You have to take your hat off to Bobby Brune. When Jeromy McDowell went down with a knee injury in the first quarter, Bobby came in and we never missed a beat. He has sort of been in the shadows this season, but he prepares every week just like he is the starter. He was ready when needed and responded with a very solid performance.

We are now 2-2 after four games against strong non-conference opposition. I think the four games have prepared us for the start of Ohio Valley Conference play this Saturday at Tennessee State.

Tennessee State is 2-0 after beating ninth-rarnked Florida A&M 27-7 last Saturday. The Tigers, ranked 25th nationally, are a very talented team and we have our work cut out for us. We will have to play a mistake-free game and execute flawlessly.

Our players and coaches know that if we play well we can win this game. Last year we talked about winning big OVC games, but deep down, I'm not sure the players felt they could win. This year, it's not just talk, they know they can win.

It isn't that far to Nashville. Hopefully a lot of fans can make the trip. The game will be played at Adelphia Coliseum, which is the home of the Tennessee Titans. A great city, a great stadium and what should be a great football game.

If you can't be in Nashville Saturday, follow us on the radio and be ready to pack Houck Stadium on Oct. 6 when we play Tennessee-Martin in the Family Weekend game.

Hopefully we have grown up as a football team!

Tim Billings is the head football coach at Southeast Missouri State University