INDIANS TRY TO THROW SOME INSUBORDINATE BEHAVIOR AT COLONELS

Southeast Missouri State University's Indians have played some good football teams this season, but coach John Mumford is certain that Eastern Kentucky will top the list.

Today, the Indians will get an up-close-and-personal look at the Colonels when they visit Houck Stadium for a 1 p.m. Ohio Valley Conference game.

"Eastern Kentucky is the best OVC football team I've seen on film this year," said Mumford, whose squad has already lost this year to the other three elite OVC teams: Eastern Illinois, Murray State and Tennessee Tech.

There appears to be plenty of evidence to back up Mumford's beliefs regarding EKU.

First of all, the Colonels have been on a serious roll since losing their first three games of the season, all competitive setbacks against teams at the time ranked in the nation's top 10.

Since dropping those first three contests, EKU has ripped off a five-game winning streak, outscoring the opposition 209-25 during that span.

And the Colonels haven't just feasted on cupcakes during their hot streak. They own impressive wins over Murray State and Tennessee Tech by a combined 55-15 score.

Not surprisingly, the Colonels (5-3 overall, 4-0 OVC) have jumped into this week's national I-AA poll at No. 24.

"Eastern Kentucky presents a tremendous challenge," said Mumford, whose squad is 3-5 overall and 1-4 in OVC play. "They're extremely well coached and are rock solid in all three phases of the game.

"They don't do anything fancy, they just line up and come straight at you. They are really on a roll right now."

If the Colonels appear to be a team on a mission this season, well, they probably are.

Directed by legendary coach Roy Kidd (277-102-8 in his 34th season at EKU), EKU has been one of the nation's most successful I-AA teams since the division was formed in 1978. But last year, the Colonels went just 6-5 -- their worst record in 20 seasons -- and missed the I-AA playoffs for the first time in 11 years.

Even this year, because of that three-game losing streak to start the season, the Colonels are not a lock to make the I-AA playoffs. In fact, the only way they'll probably get in is to win the OVC championship, something Mumford figures is making EKU even hungrier during league play.

"Their backs are to the wall. I can't see them getting into the playoffs with four losses. I'm sure they know that," said Mumford.

The Colonels possess a host of weapons both offensively and defensively.

On offense, EKU has a multi-dimensional attack featuring an impressive quarterback, two talented running backs who transferred in from I-A programs, speedy wide receivers and a big, powerful line.

Quarterback Simon Fuentes ranks first in the OVC in passing efficiency with 165.7 rating points. He's completed 79 of 132 passes (60 percent) for 1,326 yards, with nine touchdowns and just two interceptions.

Tailbacks Derick Logan and Corey Crume have gained 532 and 528 yards, respectively, each averaging 5.4 yards per carry. Logan was the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Year last season at Kentucky while Crume played at Louisville two years ago.

Wide receivers Rondel Menendez and Bobby Washington have caught 33 and 29 passes, respectively, with Menendez averaging more than 21 yards per reception.

"Their quarterback can throw the ball downfield, their wide receivers are fast, their running backs are very good and their offensive line is huge," Mumford said. "Defensively, their linebackers and secondary people run better than anybody I've seen on tape. Their defense can just really run."

So, on paper, things don't look good for the Indians, right? Well, Mumford doesn't buy into that.

"They're not unbeatable, but we'll have to play a flawless game," he said. "We'll have to be patient on offense and we can't allow any big plays over the top on defense.

"The first half will be the key. If we're close or tied, we'll have a great shot. We want to take the game into the fourth quarter and have an opportunity to win. Then anything can happen."

Eastern Kentucky at SEMO

Probable Starters

SEMO Offense

TE - Mitch Fryer 6-2 240 Jr.

LT - Ian Walters 6-3 280 So.

LG - Chad King 6-3 275 So.

C - Chris Kiefer 6-3 270 So.

RG - Jessie Eaton 6-3 320 Jr.

RT - Carlos DeJesus 6-3 300 Jr.

WR - Leslie Weaver 5-10 190 Fr.

WR - Dante Bryant 6-1 190 Jr.

QB - Justin Martini 6-1 205 Sr.

FB - Britt Mirgaux 6-1 228 Jr.

TB - Aaron Layne 6-0 195 Sr.

PK - Eric Warren 5-7 190 Sr.

SEMO Defense

DL - Angel Rubio 6-3 290 Sr.

DL - Troy Baglio 6-1 280 Jr.

DL - Jonathan Robinson 6-2 255 Jr.

DL - Marcus McClellan 6-3 250 Jr.

LB - Chris Justice 6-2 235 So.

LB - Gabe Jenkins 6-0 230 Jr.

LB - Steve Ledbetter 6-1 230 Sr.

CB - Brian Hinton 5-11 180 Jr.

CB - Willie Davis 5-11 190 Sr.

FS - John Smith 6-1 190 So.

SS - Ronnie Smith 5-9 195 Sr.

P - Justin Terrill 6-2 185 Sr.

EKU Defense

DL - Sanford Baskin 6-1 244 Sr.

DL - Justin Ernest 6-3 280 Jr.

DL - Jason Muchow 5-11 283 So.

DL - David Hoelscher 6-6 256 Sr.

LB - Charles Tinsley 6-0 209 Jr.

LB - Britt Bowen 6-2 222 Sr.

LB - Butch Printup 6-1 225 Fr.

CB - Robert Bryant 5-11 188 Sr.

CB - Corey Clark 5-10 186 Sr.

FS - Chris Guyton 6-3 192 Sr.

SS - Danny Thomas 5-9 192 Sr.

P - Stephen Brown 5-11 175 Jr.

EKU Offense

TE - Tony DeGregorio 6-3 245 Jr.

LT - Eliott Henderson 6-5 285 Jr.

LG - Josh Hunter 6-3 271 So.

C - Chris Holder 6-2 285 Jr.

RG - Tyrone Hopson 6-3 305 Jr.

RT - Charlie Watkins 6-1 273 So.

WR - Bobby Washington 5-7 169 Sr.

WR - Rondel Menendez 5-9 176 Jr.

QB - Simon Fuentes 5-8 183 Sr.

FB - Jonathon Butler 5-9 220 Sr.

TB - Derick Logan 6-2 220 So.

PK - John Wright 5-11 168 Sr.