INDIANS, SALUKIS SKID INTO ANNUAL BORDER COLLISION

With both football teams already assured of disappointing seasons, pride and local bragging rights will take front and center stage for Southeast Missouri State University and Southern Illinois today.

The squads -- with a combined 5-15 record and 11-game losing streak -- will close out their seasons with a 12:30 p.m. kickoff at McAndrew Stadium in Carbondale.

Southeast is 3-7 and has lost four straight games. SIU is 2-8 and owns a seven-game losing streak.

"For the (18) seniors, we really want to send them out with a win," said Southeast coach John Mumford. "And for the other guys, it would be a nice way to end the season and hopefully build some momentum for next year.

"It's a good rivalry, a border war I guess you could say. And both teams need to win to end on a good note as they go into the recruiting process."

If nothing else, the game should be an extremely entertaining one because both teams feature their share of intriguing -- and high-powered performers.

For the Salukis, three of their offensive players rank among the best in school history.

Tailback Karlton Carpenter is the headliner. The junior is among the nation's leading rushers with 1,686 yards and 14 touchdowns. He's already the leading rusher in school history.

Quarterback Kent Skornia, a former transfer from Missouri, has completed 143 of 261 passes for 1,764 yards. The senior has moved past SIU athletic director -- and former NFL star -- Jim Hart for the most completions in school history.

Wide receiver Cornell Craig has caught 58 passes for 853 yards and nine touchdowns. The junior is the Saluki leader in career touchdown receptions.

"They've got an extremely potent offense," said Mumford. "Carpenter will probably be the best running back our defense will face all year. He runs extremely hard and he's tough to bring down.

"Skornia has put up some big numbers since he transferred from Missouri and Craig is a big-play guy at wide receiver."

The Salukis have struggled defensively, allowing an average of more than 400 yards per game. Much of that can be attributed to an extremely young unit that features only three seniors.

Southeast will counter offensively with senior tailback Corey Williams, who has rushed for 639 yards despite missing virtually all of three games with an injury. Williams has scored 12 touchdowns.

Quarterback Bobby Brune, a redshirt freshman out of Cape Girardeau Central High School, has had a strong rookie season. Brune has completed 84 of 135 passes (62 percent) for 993 yards.

Senior wide receiver Dante Bryant has caught 41 passes for 483 yards.

The Indians figure to have an edge defensively, led by senior linebacker Kevin Meachem and senior tackle Troy Baglio.

Meachem has a team-high 98 tackles and seven quarterback sacks. He and Baglio are tied for the team lead in tackles for loss with 12.

SIU will be looking for revenge from last season, when the Salukis led 17-0 at Houck Stadium -- only to see the Indians rally for a 28-17 victory.

"I'm sure they'll be jacked up for the game, especially after last year when we came back from 17-0," Mumford said. "I think it's two pretty evenly matched teams as far as their seasons have gone.

"They've played a lot of good teams tough, like we have. And like us, they've fallen short in a lot of games."

SEMO at Southern Illinois

When: Today, 12:30 p.m.

Where: McAndrew Stadium, Carbondale, Ill.

Records: SEMO 3-7, 2-5 OVC; SIU 2-8, 1-5 Gateway

1997 records: SEMO 4-7; SIU 3-8

Last Week: SEMO lost to Eastern Kentucky 19-7; SIU lost to Western Kentucky 48-28

Coaches: John Mumford (SEMO) 37-61, 9th year; Jan Quarless (SIU) 5-16, 2nd year

Series record: SEMO leads 33-25-8

Last meeting: SEMO won 28-17 in 1997

Radio: K103-FM

SEMO at Southern Illinois

Probable Starters

SEMO Offense

TE - Mitch Fryer 6-2 240 Sr.

LT - Ian Walters 6-3 280 Jr.

LG - James Williams 6-2 275 Sr.

C - Chris Kiefer 6-3 270 Jr.

RG - Jessie Eaton 6-3 320 Sr.

RT - Carlos DeJesus 6-3 300 Sr.

WR - Corey Chester 5-11 175 So.

WR - Dante Bryant 6-1 190 Sr.

QB - Bobby Brune 6-4 205 Fr.

FB - Broderick Benson 5-10 215 Jr.

TB - Corey Williams 6-2 215 Sr.

PK - Nick Reggio 5-10 175 Jr.

SEMO Defense

DL - Troy Baglio 6-1 280 Sr.

DL - Marcus McClellan 6-3 250 Sr.

DL - Jason DeWolf 6-3 250 Fr.

DL - Brad Richardson 6-2 255 Jr.

LB - Gabe Jenkins 6-0 230 Sr.

LB - David Bowling 6-0 210 Jr.

LB - Kevin Meachem 6-2 215 Sr.

CB - Fred Hambrick 5-10 185 Sr.

CB - Brian Hinton 5-10 180 Jr.

FS - Isaac Powell 6-1 180 So.

SS - John Smith 6-1 190 Jr.

P - Justin Keen 6-5 180 Fr.

SIU Defense

DL - Andre Bailey 6-3 213 So.

DL - Tavita Tovio 6-0 262 So.

DL - Brian Broussard 6-2 245 So.

DL - James Jackson 6-1 228 Sr.

LB - Luther Claxton 6-2 218 Jr.

LB - Aaron Bubin 6-1 224 So.

LB - Bart Scott 6-0 210 Fr.

CB - Jean Baptiste 5-9 165 Sr.

CB - Tirrell Robinson 5-9 166 Sr.

FS - Carlo McClelland 5-10 185 Jr.

SS - Shawn Summervill 5-11 190 So.

P - Jonah Fore 6-2 226 Fr.

SIU Offense

TE - Colin Crabbe 6-1 220 Fr.

LT - Lawrence Watkins 6-2 336 Sr.

LG - Jarrod Joiner 6-1 298 So.

C - Jim Lawhorn 6-1 272 Jr.

RG - Walter Skeate 6-2 296 Sr.

RT - Brandon Frick 6-3 278 Sr.

WR - Cornell Craig 6-1 167 Jr.

WR - Ray Barnes 5-9 162 Sr.

QB - Kent Scornia 6-3 201 Sr.

FB - Bryan Nolbertowicz 6-0 223 Sr.

TB - Karlton Carpenter 5-9 199 Jr.

K - Jonah Fore 6-2 226 Fr.