INDIANS LOOK TO BEGIN WINNING STREAT AT UTM

Coming off its first victory of the season, Southeast Missouri State University's football team will shoot for a two-game winning streak today.

The Indians and host Tennessee-Martin will square off in a 1 p.m. kickoff at Skyhawk Stadium in a battle of the only two squads to have not yet won an Ohio Valley Conference game this season.

Southeast is 1-7 overall and 0-4 in OVC play. UTM is 1-7 overall and 0-6 in the league."Tennessee-Martin has struggled just like we have this season and I know they look at this game as one they can win," said Southeast coach John Mumford. "We have to prepare for them like we prepared for Southwest Missouri."The Indians evidently prepared for Southwest Missouri well because they defeated the Bears 28-23 last Saturday to break a 12-game losing streak dating back to last season."It was good to finally get a win," said Mumford. "Our players have fought through the tough times and they deserved the win. It was particularly gratifying for our seniors."Southeast figures to have a good chance at making it two in a row today because the Skyhawks are a beat up and struggling team, having been outscored 176-37 over the past four games.

Not that the Indians have set the OVC on fire this year, but the Skyhawks bring up the rear in virtually every major team offensive and defensive statistical category.

UTM ranks last in the eight-team league in rushing offense (93 yards per game), total offense (263 yards per game) and scoring offense (12.5 points per game) while standing seventh in passing offense (170 yards per game).On the other side of the ball, the Skyhawks are last in rushing defense (278 yards per game), passing efficiency defense (180 points), total defense (495 yards per game) and scoring defense (41.4 points per game).UTM quarterback Edward Robertson has completed 91 of 199 passes (46 percent) for 1,181 yards, with five touchdowns and four interceptions.

Rory Redmond and Deundre Greer are Robertson's favorite targets, with 26 and 21 receptions, respectively. Redmond averages a healthy 17 yards per catch and he's scored three touchdowns.

Adam Joyner is the Skyhawks' leading rusher as he has gained 365 yards, averaging 4.2 yards per carry. Tim Beattie, who has been injured lately, is close behind with 334 yards, averaging 4.1 yards per attempt.

Defensively, the Skyhawks have the OVC's second-leading tackler as linebacker Lavante Epson has 80 stops, three behind Southeast linebacker Jeremy Atwell, the league's leading tackler.

For Southeast, quarterback Rashad West will make his first career start today after a brilliant performance in rallying the Indians past Southwest Missouri last Saturday.

West rushed for 97 yards and passed for 173 yards, scoring one touchdown and throwing for two TDn Southeast attempts to build on first win of the season.

By Marty MishowSoutheast MissourianComing off its first victory of the season, Southeast Missouri State University's football team will shoot for a two-game winning streak today.

The Indians and host Tennessee-Martin will square off in a 1 p.m. kickoff at Skyhawk Stadium in a battle of the only two squads to have not yet won an Ohio Valley Conference game this season.

Southeast is 1-7 overall and 0-4 in OVC play. UTM is 1-7 overall and 0-6 in the league."Tennessee-Martin has struggled just like we have this season and I know they look at this game as one they can win," said Southeast coach John Mumford. "We have to prepare for them like we prepared for Southwest Missouri."The Indians evidently prepared for Southwest Missouri well because they defeated the Bears 28-23 last Saturday to break a 12-game losing streak dating back to last season."It was good to finally get a win," said Mumford. "Our players have fought through the tough times and they deserved the win. It was particularly gratifying for our seniors."Southeast figures to have a good chance at making it two in a row today because the Skyhawks are a beat up and struggling team, having been outscored 176-37 over the past four games.

Not that the Indians have set the OVC on fire this year, but the Skyhawks bring up the rear in virtually every major team offensive and defensive statistical category.

UTM ranks last in the eight-team league in rushing offense (93 yards per game), total offense (263 yards per game) and scoring offense (12.5 points per game) while standing seventh in passing offense (170 yards per game).On the other side of the ball, the Skyhawks are last in rushing defense (278 yards per game), passing efficiency defense (180 points), total defense (495 yards per game) and scoring defense (41.4 points per game).UTM quarterback Edward Robertson has completed 91 of 199 passes (46 percent) for 1,181 yards, with five touchdowns and four interceptions.

Rory Redmond and Deundre Greer are Robertson's favorite targets, with 26 and 21 receptions, respectively. Redmond averages a healthy 17 yards per catch and he's scored three touchdowns.

Adam Joyner is the Skyhawks' leading rusher as he has gained 365 yards, averaging 4.2 yards per carry. Tim Beattie, who has been injured lately, is close behind with 334 yards, averaging 4.1 yards per attempt.

Defensively, the Skyhawks have the OVC's second-leading tackler as linebacker Lavante Epson has 80 stops, three behind Southeast linebacker Jeremy Atwell, the league's leading tackler.

For Southeast, quarterback Rashad West will make his first career start today after a brilliant performance in rallying the Indians past Southwest Missouri last Saturday.

West rushed for 97 yards and passed for 173 yards, scoring one touchdown and throwing for two TDs, to earn national Division I-AA newcomer of the week honors."Rashad is an exciting player who can make things happen," said Mumford. "But it wasn't just Rashad. Our offensive line did a good job. Our backs had good holes to run through and our quarterbacks had time to throw."Defensively, we rose to the occasion. The defense had a strong game and they've played well the last few weeks."Southeast's leading receiver is Leslie Weaver, with 29 catches. Five other Indians have caught more than 10 passes and redshirt freshman Jerl Huling has five touchdown receptions.

In the rushing department, K.D. Koleosho has had two straight strong games and is the squad's leader with 295 yards and a 4.6-yards-per-carry average. Riki Smith is next with 232 yards.

Defensively, while Atwell leads the OVC in tackles and tackles for loss with 17, his linebacker partner and fellow Oklahoma native Donovan LaViness is third in the league with 78 tackles. Cornerback Brian Hinton is second in the OVC in interceptions with four.

Today's game will mark the Indians' final road contest of the season. Southeast hosts Eastern Illinois Nov. 6 and Tennessee State Nov. 20 to close out the campaign.s, to earn national Division I-AA newcomer of the week honors."Rashad is an exciting player who can make things happen," said Mumford. "But it wasn't just Rashad. Our offensive line did a good job. Our backs had good holes to run through and our quarterbacks had time to throw."Defensively, we rose to the occasion. The defense had a strong game and they've played well the last few weeks."Southeast's leading receiver is Leslie Weaver, with 29 catches. Five other Indians have caught more than 10 passes and redshirt freshman Jerl Huling has five touchdown receptions.

In the rushing department, K.D. Koleosho has had two straight strong games and is the squad's leader with 295 yards and a 4.6-yards-per-carry average. Riki Smith is next with 232 yards.

Defensively, while Atwell leads the OVC in tackles and tackles for loss with 17, his linebacker partner and fellow Oklahoma native Donovan LaViness is third in the league with 78 tackles. Cornerback Brian Hinton is second in the OVC in interceptions with four.

Today's game will mark the Indians' final road contest of the season. Southeast hosts Eastern Illinois Nov. 6 and Tennessee State Nov. 20 to close out the campaign.