Indians have new faces at receiver, linebacker

Despite many returning starters, Southeast will have a fresh look at two key positions.

By Marty Mishow ~ Southeast Missourian

Southeast Missouri State University's football team returns 16 starters from last season, so the Indians are obviously loaded with experience.

But as the Indians prepare for Thursday night's opener at second-ranked Southern Illinois, the depth chart released Monday shows virtually brand-new starters at the wide receiver and linebacker positions.

Coach Tim Billings, however, also believes that those two units are close to being as deep and solid as the Indians have.

"I feel really good about both positions," Billings said.

In Southeast's normal three-receiver set, listed first on the depth chart are juniors Brian Matthews and Oge Oge, along with redshirt freshman Scott NesSmith.

Matthews has plenty of experience after being East Tennessee State's second-leading receiver last year with 19 catches for 282 yards. The 6-foot-3, 215-pounder transferred to Southeast after East Tennessee State -- also a Division I-AA program - dropped football.

Oge, another big receiver at 6-4 and 210 pounds, also has experience, although at the junior college level. He caught 39 passes for 523 yards last season at Hinds (Miss.).

NeSmith, the relative runt of the bunch at 5-11 and 165 pounds, practiced with the Indians last year but did not play in games as a redshirt. The younger brother of Southeast senior wide receiver Chris NeSmith -- who is questionable for the season with a knee injury -- has opened plenty of eyes and is also scheduled to return punts. He is the only Southeast freshman listed No. 1 on the depth chart.

"Chris says Scott is going to be better than him, and I agree," Billings said. "He's going to be a really good player, and so are Brian and Oge, who are both big, strong guys. Brian has really had a good camp."

No matter who starts, Billings said several wide receivers figure to play a lot, including returnees T.J. Milcic and Antonio Scaife, along with Bill Coleman, who played two years ago but was academically ineligible last season. Milcic caught 20 passes last year and Coleman had 32 receptions in 2002.

As for linebacker, leading tackler O.J. Turner returns at one of the outside spots for his fourth season as a starter, but three of the other four top players at that position completed their eligibility last year.

Penciled in as starters along with Turner are sophomore Corey Andrade, a hard-hitting 240-pounder who had 22 tackles in a reserve role last season, and junior Brandon Colar, who redshirted a year ago after transferring from junior college. Andrade will man the middle.

Billings said plenty of other linebackers will also see action, including three returnees who saw limited time last year: Travion Brock, Elijah Willis and Tunde Agboke.

"This is the best linebacking crew since I've been here by far, even though we lost three guys who started," Billings said. "I feel like we have about eight who will play a lot. O.J. has had his best camp and I feel like Corey, before he leaves, will be one of the best linebackers to play here."

Special teams a key

As the Indians attempt to pull off what would be a major upset Thursday, Billings said special teams could prove vital. That appears to be a strength for the Indians, with kicker Derek Kutz and punter David Simonhoff both returning all-conference performers.

"The first game, special teams will be really important," Billings said. "We need to win the kicking game, and on paper, we have an advantage."