Indians to switch up at QB

Southeast Missourian

Southeast Missouri State University football coach Tim Billings says he doesn't care who starts at quarterback -- he's simply looking for somebody to move the Indians' floundering offense.

Jeromy McDowell appeared to do that the best during Saturday's 28-7 loss against Southern Illinois -- so the junior will start when Southeast (0-2) visits Division I-A Arkansas State (1-1) Saturday night.

Billings made the announcement at his weekly media conference Monday morning after consulting with offensive coordinator Russ Martin. McDowell will replace senior Jack Tomco, who set nine school records last year.

"I talked to coach Martin. He feels he's going to start with Jeromy. He moved the football team and showed a little more leadership. I think that's right on. As of right now, he's going to start," Billings said, but he added, "I don't care who the quarterback is. Whoever is going to move the football team."

Tomco, who has started both games this year, completed 10 of 13 passes for 87 yards and one interception while taking all but one first-half snap against SIU. He failed to move the Indians past the Salukis' 40-yard line.

McDowell took the final snap of the opening half, a running play, and went the entire second half. He completed 16 of 24 passes for 140 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. He engineered by far the Indians' most impressive drive of the game, an 86-yarder to start the third quarter that ended on downs inside the SIU 5-yard line.

So far this year, McDowell is completing 63.3 percent of his passes (19 of 30) for 160 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. Tomco is completing 52.3 percent (23 of 43), with no touchdowns and three interceptions.

McDowell, the Indians' starter in 2001 before suffering a season-ending knee injury in last year's opener, is obviously pleased to have a chance at leading the team, but he said, "I just want to win. I want to do whatever is best for the team, no matter who the quarterback is."

Billings did not rule out either Tomco or Andrew Goodenough also playing against Arkansas State. All three quarterbacks saw action in the opener at Ohio.

"When you have three quarterbacks and one's not getting the job done, you're going to replace him," Billings said. "Whoever's not getting the job done, no matter what position, you're going to replace him."

Overall offensive woes

Billings was quick to point out that in no way is he blaming Tomco for the Indians' offensive woes through two games.

After having one of the nation's premier Division I-AA offenses last year and returning nine starters from that unit, the Indians are averaging just 293 yards of offense and have scored only 10 points -- and seven of those came with no time on the clock Saturday after Southeast was able to run one final play following a defensive penalty against Southern Illinois.

Most glaring for the Indians has been their inability to muster much of a running attack. Southeast has rushed for just 126 yards and is averaging a paltry 1.9 yards per attempt.

"We have to figure out a way to run the football. That will open up the passing game," Billings said.

Southeast's vaunted offensive line, which returned all five starters and entered the season being touted as one of the nation's best units, has struggled so far to not only open running holes but also protect the quarterback.

The new depth chart released Monday has true freshman Austin Russell replacing Taurean Robinson at left guard. Said Billings, "They're neck and neck. We may give Russell a shot."

Added Billings of the line woes, "We're not getting pushed around. We'll have a technique error or a mental error by one guy. They all have to be on the same page. It's been a problem for us right now, but the good thing is I've seen them do it."

About Arkansas State

Arkansas State, which went 6-7 last year during Steve Roberts' first season as coach for its best record since 1995, is off to a solid start.

The Indians held Texas A&M to 257 yards of offense and trailed by just eight points late in the game before dropping their opener 26-11 on the road.

Saturday, Arkansas State rushed for 437 yards and had 527 yards of total offense during a 63-6 destruction of Tennessee-Martin. The Indians led 42-0 at halftime and 56-0 after three quarters.

Quarterback Elliott Jacobs, who passed for more than 1,700 yards last year, is the Sun Belt Conference offensive player of the week after rushing for 127 yards on just four carries and passing for 90 yards against Tennessee-Martin.

Former Southeast assistant Tony Gilbert is Arkansas State's cornerbacks coach and recruiting coordinator. Gilbert, in his second season at Arkansas State, was Southeast's running backs coach for five years from 1992-96.

Noteworthy

Junior linebacker O.J. Turner, a Central High School graduate, leads the Ohio Valley Conference in tackles with 20.

Starting strong safety Mike Miller, who suffered a knee injury in the season opener at Ohio and did not play against Southern Illinois, is doubtful for Saturday. If he can't go, Nate Johnston will start in his place, as he did against the Salukis.

As expected, the Indians dropped out of the national rankings Monday when The Sports Network and USA Today/ESPN polls were released. Southeast still received votes in both polls.

By virtue of the win over Southeast, SIU moved into both polls, ranking 21st (TSN) and 23rd (USA Today/ESPN).