INDIANS' WILLIAMS FINDS FAULT IN BIG DAY (SEMO NOTES)

Corey Williams felt like he didn't do enough to help Southeast Missouri State University's football Indians Saturday -- but his numbers indicate otherwise.

Williams, a 5-foot-11, 215-pound senior tailback, rushed for a career-high 185 yards on 23 carries and scored his Ohio Valley Conference-leading 11th touchdown of the season.

But Williams' performance came in a losing effort as the Indians dropped their homecoming game to Middle Tennessee State 21-19.

The seemingly perpetually upbeat Williams was a little bit down after losing a fourth-quarter fumble and also being stopped on a two-point conversion attempt that would have tied the game with under five minutes left.

"One person doesn't lose the game, but I felt two plays I made really cost us," said Williams.

But nobody else around the Indians' camp was looking at it that way.

"Corey had a great game," said Southeast head coach John Mumford. "Our line really got after it and Corey ran extremely hard, like he always does. He's a real warrior."

Williams appears to be totally back on track after totally missing two games and carrying just one time in another because of a dislocated elbow.

The native of Rock Island, Ill., leads the Indians with 543 yards rushing and he is among the nation's leading scorers with those 11 touchdowns.

"My elbow is hurting some, but you have to play with some pain," he said. "I feel like I'm pretty well back to where I was before I got hurt."

Like all good running backs, Williams heaped plenty of praise on the Indians' offensive line, which opened some big holes Saturday.

"Those guys were really fired up," he said with a grin. "I was really able to hit the hole running, which is what any back wants to do."

Even though the Indians are now assured of a losing season -- they are 3-6 with only two games remaining -- Williams said he and his teammates should have no trouble staying motivated.

"Every team every year starts off with goals," he said. "We've fallen short in some areas, but as far as the belief factor, we still have that.

"It would be great, not only for the seniors but the other guys, to end the season strong. It would be great to win these last two games."

The Indians close out the season with two road games, against Eastern Kentucky next Saturday and against Southern Illinois Nov. 14.

* Southeast's defense shut down the OVC's leading rusher as MTSU's Torin Kirtsey gained just 44 yards on 14 carries. He entered the contest with 730 yards.

But redshirt freshman quarterback Wes Counts burned the Indians by passing for a career-high 314 yards. He completed 24 of 32 attempts.

* According to unofficial press box statistics, Southeast linebacker Kevin Meachem had another huge game with nine tackles and a quarterback sack. Meachem is the OVC's leader in tackles.

Joel Becker was credited with eight tackles and the Indians' other sack.