INDIANS, RACERS SEEK FIRST WIN TODAY WHEN BOTH OPEN OVC PLAY

Two non-league games to start the 1999 football season have not gone well at all for Southeast Missouri State University.

Tonight, the Indians will be hoping that an Ohio Valley Conference opponent brings out the best in them.

And the Indians' opponent, Murray State, is probably hoping the same thing because the Racers, like Southeast, are off to an 0-2 start.

The kickoff at Stewart Stadium in Murray, Ky., is set for 6 p.m.

"It will be good to start OVC play," said Southeast coach John Mumford. "We've traditionally played Murray tough and we feel we can play with Murray."

Southeast has not been able to play with its first two foes as Southern Illinois and Illinois State have hammered the Indians by a combined score of 98-32.

The point totals are not the only things that were lopsided in the first two games. In total yardage, Southeast finds itself on the short end of a 913 to 468 disparity. The Indians have rushed for a grand total of 82 yards while allowing the opposition 542 yards on the ground.

"We definitely have to be able to run the ball better and stop the run better," acknowledged Mumford.

Murray State, picked to finish second in the OVC preseason poll, has also had trouble defensively, allowing 107 points and 957 yards.

But there appears to be nothing wrong with the Racers' offense, led by record-setting quarterback Justin Fuente.

After not being able to move the ball much during a 49-10 setback to Division I-A power Wisconsin in the season opener, the Racers piled up 665 yards during last Saturday's wild 58-51 loss to Southern Illinois.

Fuente had an amazing day against SIU, setting an OVC record with 553 yards passing. He completed 35 of 55 attempts, with three touchdowns, as the Racers very nearly erased a 35-0 deficit.

Last season, his first with Murray State, the transfer from Oklahoma set school records for completions, attempts and yards as he went 220-for-395, good for 2,896 yards and 23 touchdowns.

"He's an outstanding quarterback," said Mumford of Fuente. "He throws the ball very well and makes good decisions."

Said Murray State coach Denver Johnson of his signal caller, "Justin is the whole package. Our chances of being pretty good (this season) probably rest on his shoulders."

In order to be pretty good, however, the Racers will probably need improved play from their defense, which is something of a rebuilt unit after returning just three starters from last season's squad. Conversely, the offense returned seven starters from a year ago.

"SIU obviously took advantage of some things throwing the football," said Mumford of the Racers' defense. "They protected well and (Sherard) Poteete had a great day.

"But Murray State still has a very talented defense. They really come after you."

Poteete, the Salukis' quarterback, sliced up the Murray State defense for 399 yards and six touchdowns.

Getting back to the Racers' offense, Joe Perez, Terrence Tillman and Shaun Boykins have been Fuente's favorite targets through two games. Perez has 11 receptions for 209 yards, Tillman has 10 receptions for 151 yards and Boykins has caught nine passes for 77 yards.

Tailback Shadrach Jackson has been explosive, rushing for 159 yards on 31 carries, a 5.1-yard average. He's scored four touchdowns, including a 66-yard scamper against Wisconsin.

"They are a very explosive offensive team," Mumford said. "Tillman and Boykins have great speed and their tailbacks have good speed."

Asked to compare Murray State's offense to Illinois State -- which hammered the Indians 55-7 last Saturday -- Mumford said, "Murray's offense is more big play. They're more of a home run team. They really stretch the field."

Although Murray State has won the past six meetings between the teams -- and leads the overall series 28-4-1 -- the Indians hung tough last season, falling 26-14 at Houck Stadium.

Southeast's last win over the Racers came in 1992, when Kelvin "Earthquake" Anderson rushed for 222 yards in his collegiate debut to spark a 27-21 victory at Houck Stadium.

SEMO at Murray State

When: Today, 6 p.m.

Where: Stewart Stadium, Murray, Ky.

Records: SEMO 0-2, 0-0 OVC; MSU 0-2, 0-0 OVC

1998 records: SEMO 3-8; MSU 7-4

Last Week: SEMO lost to Illinois State 55-7; MSU lost to Southern Illinois 58-51

Coaches: John Mumford (SEMO) 37-64, 10th year; Denver Johnson (MSU) 14-10, 3rd year

Series record: MSU leads 28-4-1.

Last meeting: MSU won 26-14 in 1998

Radio: K103-FM

INDIANS VS. RACERS

Probable Starters

SEMO Offense

TE -- John Borne 6-1 235 Sr.

LT -- Ian Walters 6-4 295 Sr.

LG -- Chad King 6-2 300 Sr.

C -- West McKee 6-5 245 Fr.

RG -- David Fielder 6-3 290 Jr.

RT -- Chris Kiefer 6-3 285 Sr.

WR -- Leslie Weaver 5-7 155 Jr.

WR -- Corey Chester 5-11 180 Jr.

QB -- Bobby Brune 6-4 210 So.

FB -- Broderick Benson 5-10 230 Sr.

TB -- Riki Smith 5-9 185 Sr.

PK -- Nick Reggio 5-10 175 Sr.

SEMO Defense

DE -- Demond Williams 6-4 240 Jr.

DT -- Brad Richardson 6-2 275 Sr.

NG -- Kyle Piper 6-3 270 So.

DE -- Joel Becker 6-2 255 Sr.

LB -- Jeremy Atwell 6-1 220 Sr.

LB -- David Bowling 6-0 220 Sr.

LB -- Donovan LaViness 5-11 220 Sr.

CB -- Demar Winston 5-9 170 Fr.

CB -- Brian Hinton 5-10 165 Sr.

FS -- John Smith 6-1 195 Sr.

SS -- Isaac Powell 6-1 195 Jr.

P -- Seth Carriere 5-11 180 So.

MSU Defense

DE - Steve Williams 6-3 275 Sr.

DT - Matt Howard 6-2 270 Jr.

DT - Chris Kelly 6-2 290 Sr.

DE - Kareem Vaughn 6-1 270 Sr.

LB - Dwayne Potts 6-0 210 Jr.

LB - Jilon Van Over 6-3 240 Jr.

LB - Jai Williams 5-9 210 Jr.

CB - Tyrone Graham 5-8 170 Jr.

CB - Rod Thompson 5-8 175 Sr.

FS - Beau Guest 6-1 190 Jr.

SS - Gary Wheeler 5-10 190 Sr.

P - Brian Bivins 6-4 180 Fr.

MSU Offense

TE - Josh McKeel 6-2 230 So.

LT - Ron Brown 6-2 310 Sr.

LG - Scott Pitt 6-3 303 Sr.

C - Jason Williams 6-2 270 Sr.

RG - Paul Carrizal 6-3 365 Jr.

RT - Darrin LeFever 6-3 290 Sr.

WR - Shaun Boykins 5-11 182 Jr.

WR - Terrence Tillman 5-10 170 Jr.

QB - Justin Fuente 6-2 216 Sr.

FB - Tim Linville 5-10 230 Jr.

TB - Shadrach Jackson 5-10 190 So.

K - Greg Miller 6-0 170 Jr.