Indians' top rusher dismissed from team

Corey Kinsey, Southeast Missouri State University's leading rusher last season who like the rest of the Indians' offense has started slowly this year, won't have a chance to get on track.

Southeast coach Tim Billings announced Tuesday that he has dismissed Kinsey from the squad. Billings emphasized that the junior tailback did nothing major, but an accumulation of unspecified team rules violations caused the dismissal.

"There was no big thing, it was just a lot of little things that started to pile up," Billings said. "We talked about it and I decided that his dismissal was in the best interest of the team."

Sources said Kinsey had missed or been late to various team meetings and study hall sessions, among other indiscretions, and Billings has shown throughout his three-plus seasons at Southeast that he takes personal behavior and academics seriously.

In fact, Kinsey was not allowed to participate in spring drills this year because Billings didn't think he was taking his academic responsibilities seriously enough and was in danger of being ineligible for this season. But Kinsey got his academics in order and was eligible.

Kinsey, who could not be reached for comment, also did not start the season opener at Ohio because of a violation of unspecified team rules, but he wound up playing much of the game.

"Corey worked hard in the classroom this summer to become eligible and I hope he will continue his education this semester," Billings said. "He will be on scholarship for the fall semester and if he does his academic work, I will help him transfer if that is what he wants to do. I just hope he continues his education here or somewhere else."

Kinsey, a native of Miami, Fla., rushed for 1,067 yards and averaged 4.5 yards per carry last year to earn second-team all-Ohio Valley Conference honors. He was a preseason all-OVC pick this year but had gained just 159 yards on 57 carries, an average of only 2.8 yards per attempt, as Southeast's offense has been stymied during an 0-3 start.

Junior-college transfer David Taufoou will move into Kinsey's starting position. Taufoou has actually been Southeast's most effective runner so far, gaining 79 yards on 15 attempts for an average of 5.3 yards per carry. He has also caught two passes for 69 yards, including a 62-yard reception.

Billings had said earlier in the week, prior to Kinsey's dismissal, that he planned to have Taufoou see more extensive action Saturday night when Southwest Missouri State visits Houck Stadium.

"He's really done well when he's been in there and we were going to start using him more anyway," Billings said.

Taufoou, while not wishing ill toward Kinsey, said he is looking forward to receiving more playing time and helping the Indians' struggling offense. Southeast has scored just 13 points in three games.

"Corey is a great guy and I wish him all the best," Taufoou said. "I'm looking forward to playing a lot more and doing what I can to help the offense.

"Part of the reason for me picking this school is I was impressed by the team. I look forward to seeing what I can do to help us get better. Hopefully we'll get rolling Saturday. We need a win bad."

Backing up Taufoou will be redshirt freshman Bobby Dorsainvil and true freshman Elton Peterson, who both have just one carry so far this season.

"I think we've got several good running backs," Billings said.