INDIANS WANT TO PUT TIGERS MAULING BEHIND

Southeast Missouri State University's football Indians will certainly be able to test their bounce-back capabilities and mental toughness this week.

After several strong performances in a row, the Indians put together a real stinker Saturday as they were routed at home by Tennessee State 38-7.

Next up for the Indians will be a non-conference road game against Southwest Missouri State. Saturday's kickoff in Springfield is set for 1:30 p.m.

"Tennessee State has a tremendously gifted football team that got up on us and made it a long afternoon," said Southeast head coach John Mumford during his weekly media conference Monday morning. "I thought we played hard but we weren't very consistent on either side of the ball.

"We just have to put that one behind us and bounce back this week against a Southwest Missouri State team that is similar to Tennessee State. They also like to throw the ball all over the field."

Southeast is 3-4 overall and 2-3 in the Ohio Valley Conference. Southwest is 2-4, including a 1-2 mark in the Gateway Conference after a 24-14 loss at Indiana State.

The Bears feature an extremely young team, with 10 starters either freshmen or sophomores. But they are explosive, with a wide-open passing attack led by quarterback Derek Jensen, who has thrown for 1,365 yards.

"They've played a very good schedule and been competitive in just about every game," Mumford said. "We'll be facing the same kind of attack that we faced against Tennessee State. They probably don't have as much talent as Tennessee State but they are still very good."

* Although the Indians and Bears are former longtime rivals from the old Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic Association, the teams don't meet regularly any more.

Southwest Missouri leads the all-time series 38-27, the most recent meeting being a 39-3 Bears' romp in Cape Girardeau in 1995.

* Senior linebacker Kevin Meachem, who has been one of the Indians' most consistent defenders all season, continued his sensational play against Tennessee State.

Meachem had 13 tackles, including two for losses of five yards. He is now the Indians' leading tackler with 61, including nine for losses of 22 yards and three quarterback sacks.

Meachem has moved up to a tie for third in OVC tackles.

"Kevin is having an excellent season," Mumford said. "He makes big plays."

* Senior wide receiver Dante Bryant, who ranks fourth in the OVC with 30 catches, is just two receptions away from 100 for his Southeast career.

Bryant has 98 catches for 1,309 yards.

* The Indians suffered several injuries against Tennessee State.

Defensive end Marcus McLellan (ankle) is probable for this week while defensive back Andre Clark (knee), defensive lineman Joel Becker (shoulder) and offensive tackle Cornelius Jackson (ankle) should all play.

Tailback Corey Williams, who missed two games with a dislocated elbow and played only a few plays against Tennessee State, is nearing 100 percent and should be ready for plenty of action this week.

Meanwhile, the news for senior fullback Britt Mirgaux, the former Scott City High all-stater, is not good.

Mirgaux, the Indians' leading rusher the last two seasons, suffered a knee injury in this year's opener against Truman State and has not played since. Mumford said Mirgaux is out for the season.

Mumford said Southeast is looking into petitioning the NCAA for an extra year of eligibility for Mirgaux based on injury hardship.

"It's a shame for Britt because he really worked hard to rehab his other knee after injuring it in the spring," Mumford said. "I don't know how successful we'll be on getting him that extra year, but we're going to try."