INDIANS' RECORD, HEALTH CHART SHOW STEADY DECLINES

As if Southeast Missouri State University's football team hasn't had enough problems lately, now injuries are beginning to mount for the Indians.

Three more players went down during Saturday's 48-24 loss at Eastern Kentucky, including cornerback Isaac Huddleston, who suffered a head injury. Huddleston, who had suffered a mild concussion the previous week against Western Kentucky, will be out until at least the Murray State game on Oct. 21 and perhaps longer.

Speaking at his weekly media conference Monday, Southeast coach Tim Billings said that the Indians would use plenty of caution regarding Huddleston, who was scheduled to be examined by a neurologist Monday.

"It's a big concern, to have something like this twice in two weeks," said Billings. "It's a critical thing when you're talking about the head."

Defensive end Rodney Woodall injured a knee against Eastern Kentucky and is listed as questionable for this Saturday's game at Tennessee Tech.

Defensive tackle James Jennette, who missed the first few games of the season with a broken hand, suffered a hand injury against Eastern Kentucky but he is expected to be ready to go Saturday.

As far as some previous injuries, quarterback Rashad West, who missed the Eastern Kentucky game with a bruised sternum suffered against Western Kentucky, will try to start practicing this week. If he is able to practice, then there is a good chance he'll start Saturday.

Two other players who missed the Eastern Kentucky contest, defensive end Charles Sorter and deep snapper Andy Cisne, are listed as questionable for Tennessee Tech.

While all the injuries have no doubt contributed to the Indians' recent slide -- they've lost their last two games by an average of 24 points to fall to 2-3 on the season -- Billings said they can't use that as an excuse.

"Hopefully at some point in time we'll be totally healthy, but that's excuses," he said. "We just have to get better."

* Upon further review, after looking at the game film, Billings said the loss to Eastern Kentucky was the Indians' worst performance of the season.

"I was really disappointed in the game, to be honest," he said. "It was probably the worst outing we've had all year."

Southeast's most glaring problem against the Colonels was on defense as the Indians allowed a whopping 586 yards, including 399 on the ground.

The Indians are now giving up an average of just over 475 yards per game to rank last in the Ohio Valley Conference and 119th out of 122 NCAA Division I-AA teams.

"Defensively, we didn't play very well. We had a lot of mental errors," said Billings, referring to the Eastern Kentucky game. "We moved some people around (prior to the contest) and we'll continue to do so this week. Our front seven, we have to find some continuity."

When Billings took over the Southeast program this year, he knew the Indians were lacking in certain areas. But he said he never could have imagined Southeast's defense being riddled like it has been the last few weeks.

"I couldn't ever have envisioned the defense playing this bad," he said. "Being an old defensive coordinator, giving up 45, 50 points a game is nothing to be excited about."

The Indians are actually allowing an average of just over 41 points per contest.

Of the Indians' offensive performance against Eastern Kentucky, Billings said, "It was very inconsistent. We played well at times and poorly at times."

Overall, Billings said, "We have to get better on both sides of the ball. Right now, we're not as good as I'd hoped we'd be. But the kids are still working hard. They sky hasn't fallen yet. I think we can still have a good football team."

* While Southeast's offense and defense rank low in most of the OVC's statistical categories, the Indians' special teams have been a bright spot.

Punter Jason Witczak is second in the OVC and ninth nationally with an average of 43.05 yards per kick. He also booted a 41-yard field goal against Eastern Kentucky.

Curtis Cooper is second in the league in kickoff returns and fourth in punt returns, averaging 24.42 and 13.4 yards per return, respectively.

As a team, the Indians are first in the OVC and 22nd nationally in kickoff returns with a 23.5-yard average.

"We've emphasized the kicking game and I think that's been a positive," Billings said.

* Wide receiver Leslie Weaver, who is fifth in the OVC in receptions, recently went over 100 receptions and 1,500 receiving yards for his Southeast career. The senior has caught 104 passes for 1,517 yards.

* Saturday's 2 p.m. game at Tennessee Tech will put teams at the top and bottom of the OVC standings.

Tech, 3-1 overall, is 2-0 in OVC play while Southeast is 0-2 in the league. The Eagles feature one of the conference's best defenses.