INDIANS HEALTHIER AFTER DOSE OF GOVS

Their confidence restored considerably, Southeast Missouri State University's football team will now gear up for one of the season's biggest challenges -- and one that will determine whether the Indians still have a chance to finish with a winning record.

Coming off a 31-0 win at Austin Peay over the weekend, the Indians will now set their sights on powerful Eastern Kentucky, which comes to Houck Stadium Saturday for a 1 p.m. Ohio Valley Conference game.

Saturday's contest will be the first of three straight Southeast home games to close out the season. The Indians (3-5 overall, 1-4 OVC) must win them all in order to compile a winning record.

"Eastern Kentucky presents a tremendous challenge," said Southeast head coach John Mumford during his weekly media conference Monday. "They're extremely well coached and are rock solid in all three phases of the game.

"They're not unbeatable, but we'll have to play a flawless game."

The Colonels, one of the nation's most successful I-AA teams since the division was formed in 1978, lost their first three games this season, all to teams who were at the time ranked in the top 10 nationally.

But since that time EKU has been on a roll, winning five straight, including all four of its OVC games. During their five-game winning streak, the Colonels have outscored the opposition 209-25. And they moved back into the national I-AA rankings this week at No. 24.

Despite EKU's impressive credentials, Mumford said he has reason to believe his team will give the Colonels a run for their money.

"The win at Austin Peay was the right medicine at the right time," said Mumford, whose squad had been routed 55-6 at Middle Tennessee the week before. "A win over Eastern would take away a lot of the past pain (this season).

"It's a big opportunity for us. As for as a morale booster, it would be a big boost. And we have played Eastern good at home in the past."

Overall, however, the Colonels have more than had their way with the Indians. EKU holds a 7-0 series edge, outscoring Southeast 270-68 in those seven games, including a 45-0 home romp last season.

* Southeast punter Justin Terrill's average of 44.6 yards per punt is tops in the OVC and ranks him fourth nationally.

Several other Southeast players rank high in the OVC statistics.

Preseason All-America defensive tackle Angel Rubio is second in tackles (84) and tackles for loss (14).

Cornerback Freddie Hambrick is second in pass interceptions with four while safety Ronnie Smith is third with three.

Defensive end Damon Hendrick continues to be tied for the lead in fumble recoveries with three while defensive end Marcus McClellan has moved up to third in quarterback sacks with five.

Offensively, wide receiver Dante Bryant is third in receptions per game with 4.25 and fourth in yards per game with 63.25. He has 34 receptions for 506 yards.

* With his 24-yard interception return for a touchdown against Austin Peay, Smith now has three touchdowns this season and four for his Southeast career, the most by an Indian defender in recent memory.

"I love watching that kid play," said Mumford of his senior safety. "I'm going to miss him when he's done. He loves to play the game of football."

* Southeast will observe the 50th anniversary of the OVC during Saturday's game. All Southeast players who won all-OVC honors will be recognized at halftime.