Indians' line cleared the way for surprise at No. 16 EKU

RICHMOND, Ky. -- A football team's offensive line is generally an anonymous bunch -- it's the nature of the position -- but skill-position players who normally grab the bulk of the headlines pay close attention to what's happening up front.

That was the case Saturday night after Southeast Missouri State University's 35-21 upset victory at Eastern Kentucky, marking the Indians' first win over the Colonels in 13 tries.

As junior quarterback Jack Tomco and senior wide receiver Willie Ponder -- Southeast's top two offensive stars Saturday and all season -- stood outside the Indians' locker room at Roy Kidd Stadium, they preached the praises of their teammates in the trenches.

"The offensive line did a great job, just like they've done all year," said Tomco, who completed 20 of 31 passes for 283 yards and four touchdowns. "It all starts up front with them. I've had so much time to throw this season. That's so important."

Said Ponder, who caught nine passes for 185 yards and three touchdowns and, like Tomco, has set several school records this year, "The offensive line gave Jack time to toss the ball. Man, they've done a great job all year. If it wasn't for them doing their job, we couldn't operate like we have been."

The Indians' offense operated to the tune of 463 yards against an EKU defense that is statistically the best in the Ohio Valley Conference and among the best in the nation. The Colonels had allowed an average of just 261.7 yards per game.

Southeast coach Tim Billings credited his offensive line for playing a major role in that production. The unit, which averages more than 300 pounds per man, features four returning starters in junior center Eugene Amano, sophomore right guard Dan Bieg, sophomore right tackle Dan Connolly and junior left tackle Justen Meyer. Sophomore Taurean Robinson and junior Eric Krauss split time at left guard, with Krauss getting the bulk of the action Saturday.

"I feel like we've got one of the best offensive lines in the OVC and they just keep getting better and better," Billings said. "They've played well all season. And the good thing is they're still young. They're going to get even better."

When the line wasn't giving Tomco plenty of time to throw, it was opening holes for Southeast's running back tandem of Corey Kinsey and Keiki Misipeka, who combined for nearly 200 yards against EKU's defensive front.

"The line deserves the credit," said Kinsey, who gained 102 yards and has 966 yards this year. He's on rack to record just the sixth 1,000-yard rushing season in Southeast history. "They do a great job."

Connolly said he and his line mates had extra incentive going up against such a touted defense -- and winning the battle up front was naturally rewarding.

"We knew we had to have a good week of practice going up against a defense like that," Connolly said. "It felt good to play well and it felt really good to win the game."

While the offensive line was physically dominating, so was the Indians' defense that allowed just 194 yards as Southeast surprisingly overwhelmed a traditionally powerful EKU team that is used to pushing around the opposition.

That, said Billings, was probably the most rewarding thing for the Indians, who improved to 7-4 overall and finished the OVC at 4-2 as they clinched at least third place in the league, which would tie for their best finish.

"I remember two years ago, our first time here, they threw us around like rag dolls," said Billings, in his third season at Southeast. "To physically dominate them like this was great. It just shows how far we've come, how much bigger and stronger we've gotten."

And now the Indians, who have clinched their first winning record since 1994, can post their most victories since 1969 if they beat Samford in Saturday night's season finale at Houck Stadium.

"Getting to eight wins would be great," junior defensive end Ryan Roth said. "We've come so far this season and that would be a great way to end the year and get us really pumped up for next season."

Noteworthy

Ponder was chosen the OVC's offensive player of the week along with J.R. Taylor of Eastern Illinois. It was Ponder's second weekly award this season and Taylor's first. It's the first time this season players have shared the award.

Tennessee-Martin's Perez Boyd won the OVC's weekly defensive award and Eastern Illinois' Nick Eller won the weekly top newcomer award.

mmishow@semissourian.com

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