Indians tackle the mental game, avoid loss prior to Jacksonvill

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- Southeast Missouri State University football players said their business-like approach to Saturday's game at Tennessee Tech helped them avoid taking the struggling Eagles lightly -- and also avoid an upset that would have been costly.

The Indians built a 24-7 fourth-quarter lead and held off a furious rally by the Eagles to prevail 24-20 and set up a showdown Saturday with visiting Jacksonville State for a share of the Ohio Valley Conference title and an NCAA Division I-AA playoff berth.

"I thought our mental approach to this game was really good," linebacker Ricky Farmer said. "We talked all week about how we couldn't overlook them because if we lost, then next week's game wouldn't mean anything."

Said linebacker O.J. Turner, "Definitely, we came prepared. Out mental approach to the game was good, but we figured it would be a tough game. Nothing's been easy for us all year."

Farmer and Turner led Southeast's defense as they were both credited with 12 tackles, according to unofficial pressbox statistics. Farmer was credited with a whopping five tackles for loss, including two quarterback sacks. He also intercepted his first pass of the season.

Safety Chaun Tate and end Ryan Roth both had eight tackles. Roth had three tackles for loss and a sack.

"We allowed too many yards rushing, but the main thing is we won," said Farmer, after the Eagles piled up 227 yards on the ground.

And now the Indians can finally turn their attention to the showdown with Jacksonville State that has been looming on the horizon for several weeks -- but would not have materialized if Southeast had not posted three straight wins.

"It's a great feeling, knowing that if we win next week, we go to the playoffs," said Patterson, who had two of the Indians' six interceptions.

Said tight end Ray Goodson, the Indians' leading receiver on the season who caught two touchdown passes Saturday, "It's already exciting just thinking about that game."

The Indians know they'll likely have to play better -- particularly against the run -- than they did Saturday because Jacksonville State is powered by its rushing attack.

"We'll have to play better, but we seem to rise to the level of our competition," Tate said. "It should be a really exciting day."