KEY INJURIES ALREADY HIT SE FOOTBALL

It's barely a week into spring practice and Southeast Missouri State University's football Indians have already suffered two major blows.

Fullback Britt Mirgaux, Southeast's leading rusher the last two seasons, and quarterback Kevin Seto -- a touted junior-college transfer -- have in the past several days both suffered injuries that require surgery.

Mirgaux and Seto will miss the remainder of spring drills but will hopefully be fine when fall practice begins in August.

"We take all the precautions we can to avoid injuries, but it's just football. It's the nature of the game," said Southeast coach John Mumford. "Football has always been a game of adversity and the key is how you handle it."

Mirgaux, who will be a senior in the 1998 season, suffered a knee injury while taking a hit during Wednesday's workout. The former Scott City High all-stater, who rushed for 492 yards last year, is scheduled to undergo surgery Monday.

"It depends on how well he rehabs," said Mumford regarding Mirgaux's prospects for being ready by the start of fall practice. "Knowing Britt, I know he'll attack it."

Seto, who transferred from Mt. San Antonio (Calif.) Junior College and will be a junior this season, was taking part in one of his first Southeast practices last Sunday when he suffered a shoulder separation. He had surgery Friday.

"The surgery went real well and he should be ready to go in the fall," said Mumford.

Added Mumford of the two setbacks, "One year (all-time Southeast rushing leader) Kelvin Anderson tore up a knee in the spring and he came back to rush for 1,000 yards. We're hopeful both players will come back from this well."

With Mirgaux and Seto now out for the rest of the spring, Mumford said it's an opportunity for other players to step up, particularly at the unsettled quarterback position.

Seto is slated to battle several players at quarterback, including Jeff Shaw, Bobby Brune and Michael Gross. Among the four, only Shaw has ever taken an official snap at Southeast.

"Those three will get more reps and they'll have to step up," Mumford said. "Same thing for some guys at fullback."

The injuries aside, Mumford said he's liked what he's seen so far during spring drills, which began March 27 and will culminate with an intrasquad game April 25.

"I'm happy with where we are on both sides of the ball right now," he said. "We just need to keep working hard and continue to improve."