INDIANS, SYCAMORES TO WRESTLE FOR FIRST WIN IN DISMAL '99 SEASONS

One thing is certain regarding today's college football game between Southeast Missouri State University and host Indiana State.

Either the Indians or Sycamores will finally break into the win column.

Southeast (0-6) and ISU (0-5) have both not yet tasted victory entering the 1:30 p.m. non-conference game at Memorial Stadium in Terre Haute, Ind. The Indians, in fact, are carrying an 11-game losing streak dating back to last season. A loss today would tie the school record for consecutive defeats, set in 1983 and 1984.

Both the Indians and Sycamores have been close at times and both have played challenging schedules, with ISU facing an especially murderous slate that has featured two Division I-A teams and three of the nation's top I-AA squads.

"Their record certainly doesn't show the kind of team they have," said Southeast coach John Mumford. "They have played a very tough schedule and they have played some very good teams tough."

The Sycamores began the season with two road games against I-A squads and the results were fairly predictable. ISU fell to Iowa State 33-7 and Oklahoma 49-0.

Since then, the Sycamores have taken three nationally-ranked I-AA squads right down to the wire, losing to Eastern Kentucky 31-24, to Youngstown State 31-28 and to Illinois State 20-17. In all three games, ISU was either ahead or tied well into the fourth quarter before faltering.

Southeast hasn't been quite as tough-luck as ISU, but the Indians have been competitive in their last three games, losing to Western Kentucky 21-10, to Eastern Kentucky 37-28 and to Tennessee Tech 21-7. Southeast was blown out in each of its first three contests.

The Indians will have to contend with ISU's triple-option offense that last year ground out 342 rushing yards during a 21-14 win over Southeast in Cape Girardeau.

"Their option is better than it was last year," Mumford said. "They spread the field out with their option more than some other teams."

ISU's offense is directed by Sheraton Fox, a small but speedy quarterback who leads the Sycamores in rushing with 338 yards. He's also passed for 234 yards.

Halfback Matt Nelson has rushed for 258 yards and is averaging 5.7 yards per carry. Halfback Jared Sessum has 212 yards and averages 5.2 yards per attempt.

Defensively, Mumford said the Sycamores "are very good. Their defensive line is very good. Shannon Jackson is an excellent player who gave us problems last year."

Jackson, a 270-pound defensive end, has played in only three games because of injuries but is a force when healthy, which he appears to be now.

As a team, ISU has struggled some offensively, allowing 447 yards per game. But some of that can be attributed to the type of schedule the Sycamores have played, particularly the two I-A games.

The Indians have had offensive problems much of the season, ranking at or near the bottom of the Ohio Valley Conference in every major team offensive category.

Southeast's defense, after a slow start to the season, has been solid the past three games. Mumford is hoping for more of a collective effort today.

"We need to have both units complementing each other in order to be successful," he said. "We've gone with a simpler offensive package and hopefully that will allow us to execute better and to be consistent throughout the game."

SEMO at Indiana State

When: Today, 1:30 p.m.

Where: Memorial Stadium, Terre Haute, Ind.

Records: SEMO 0-6, 0-4 OVC; ISU 0-5, 0-2 Gateway

1998 records: SEMO 3-8; ISU 5-6

Last Week: SEMO lost to Tennessee Tech 21-7; ISU lost to Illinois State 20-17

Coaches: John Mumford (SEMO) 37-68, 10th year; Tim McGuire (ISU) 5-11, 2nd year

Series record: Tied 2-2

Last meeting: ISU won 21-14 in 1998

Radio: K103-FM

SEMO at Indiana State

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 -- Jon Jensen 6-2 260 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 -- Sturge Cumberford 6-1 215 So.

TB -- Riki Smith 5-9 185 Sr.

PK -- Seth Carriere 5-11 180 So.

SEMO Defense

DE -- Chad Gwilliam 6-3 260 Jr.

DT -- Brad Richardson 6-2 275 Sr.

NG -- James Jenette 6-0 320 Fr.

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.

ISU Defense

DE - Shannon Jackson 6-2 270 Sr.

DT - Delbart Mimms 5-11 280 Jr.

DT - Joe Hellebusche 6-3 260 So.

DE - Troy Lefevra 6-3 228 Sr.

LB - Dietrich Lapsley 5-11 185 So.

LB - Mike Bandy 6-0 220 Sr.

LB - Tony Albrinck 6-1 225 So.

CB - La-Varr Luster 5-9 175 Jr.

CB - Michael Brooks 5-9 180 Fr.

FS - DeJuan Alfonzo 5-11 205 Sr.

SS - Chris Sapp 6-2 205 So.

P - Kevin Dean 5-8 165 Fr.

ISU Offense

WR - Marques Clayton 5-9 175 Jr.

LT - Doug Hurt 6-2 260 Sr.

LG - Neal Biggs 6-4 280 Jr.

C - Eric Martin 6-2 260 Jr.

RG - Ryan Knigga 6-0 270 Jr.

RT - Al Phillips 6-0 240 Sr.

WR - James McAtee 5-10 173 Sr.

QB - Shearton Fox 5-9 170 So.

FB - John Effinger 5-9 190 So.

HB - Jared Sessum 5-10 205 Jr.

HB - Matt Nelson 5-10 208 Sr.

K - Mike Megyesi 6-1 195 Fr.