Indians' pair step up, break UAM defense for 227 yards

Needing a running game after the graduation of 1,000-yard rusher Curtis Cooper, the Indians saw their new calvary arrive in its thrilling 42-41 double overtime win over Arkansas-Monticello.

Corey Kinsey arrived first, with the sophomore running back from Miami, Fla., rushing for 180 yards on 21 carries. Keiki Misipeka, a senior transfer from the University of Hawaii, finished off the Boll Weevils with a 25-yard game-ending touchdown run in his Indian debut.

The pair accounted for more than half of the Indians' offense, combining for 227 yards.

Kinsey, Misipeka and Iven Brown all came into the game as near equals, and the Indians hoped one would step forward. Southeast quickly gravitated toward Kinsey, a shifty 5-foot-9, 175-pounder.

He provided a spark both at running back and on special teams. He returned his only kickoff 39 yards to help set up the Indians' second of three fourth-quarter touchdowns -- he returned the ball to almost midfield after UAM had tied the score 28-28 -- and tied the game at 35-35 with 1:24 left on 24-yard run that showcased his acceleration, vision and cut-back ability.

His carried on exactly half of Southeast's 42 running plays, which was a surprise to Kinsey.

"I just thought we'd split it three ways," Kinsey said. "I don't know what to say. I'm just excited."

The outburst was unexpected for someone who carried just 13 times for 55 yards his freshman year. But Kinsey, who rushed for 2,145 yards his senior year of high school, wasn't himself after an automobile accident last summer.

Kinsey sustained a severely sprained knee when he fell asleep driving on a June morning in Miami before his freshman season.

"It affected me all last year," Kinsey said.

"Corey showed a lot of acceleration, things you didn't see last year ," Southeast coach Tim Billings said.

Kinsey provided stabilization to an offense that hopped between three quarterbacks that combined for four interceptions.

"He kind of stepped up and showed his ability tonight," quarterback Jeromy McDowell said.

Misipeka carried the ball just two times for 11 yards last year with Hawaii. He eclipsed those numbers in his Indian debut, carrying six times for 48 yards.

"I was kind of rusty the beginning of the game, but it just so happened I ended with a bang," Misapeka said. "It was good to get some touches. It had been a long time since I got to get in and play. It felt really good to get my form back and get a chance to show what I got."

jbreer@semissourian.com

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