MUMFORD CONTINUES TO HOLD HOPE FOR A WINNING RECORD

As the chances of even a semi-respectable season keep slipping away for Southeast Missouri State University's football team, coach John Mumford refuses to give up hope of a winning record.

Since the Indians are 0-5, they must win their final six games to pull that off. The odds are certainly heavily against it.

But Mumford said during his weekly media conference Monday that he is not about to rule out that possibility.

"Numbers-wise, we can still have a winning season," he said. "But we have to start this week."

Obviously, the Indians must defeat Tennessee Tech during their 1 p.m. homecoming game Saturday or a losing record is assured.

But records aside, Mumford acknowledges that the Indians simply need to break their long losing streak -- they've dropped 10 straight games over the past two seasons -- in order to be able to maintain any semblance of a positive attitude.

"We just need to win," said Mumford. "I'm not going to belabor that point (of a winning season) with them. It sounds like a cliche, but we just have to take it one play at a time."

While the Indians are still winless, they have certainly been competitive the past two weeks after being blown out in their first three games.

Southeast lost 21-10 at Western Kentucky two weeks ago before falling at home to Eastern Kentucky 37-28 Saturday night in a game that saw the Indians rally from a 28-0 deficit to tie things before the Colonels scored nine fourth-quarter points.

"It was the same old story Saturday night," Mumford said. "We played giveaway and then came back.

"To me, it's a mental issue. We have to come ready to play. I think we got caught up in way too many distractions and we can't do that."

If the Indians are to finally break into the win column this week, they will have to solve the Ohio Valley Conference's top-rated defense.

Tennessee Tech leads the OVC in both rushing defense and total defense. The Eagles give up only 65.7 yards per game on the ground to rank ninth nationally and they allow just 205.3 yards per game overall, which places them fifth in the nation.

"They are the real deal," said Mumford of the Eagles' defensive unit. "Their front seven or eight all have tremendous speed. We've got a great challenge ahead of us."

The Eagles' offense, traditionally not particularly strong, also appears to have picked up this season as they have gone to a version of the run-and-shoot.

Tennessee Tech, coming off a 45-9 pasting of Tennessee-Martin, is 2-1 overall and 1-0 in OVC play. The Indians are 0-3 in the league.

* Mumford would not name the starter Monday, but there is a good chance Bobby Brune will open at quarterback against Tennessee Tech.

Brune, who started the first three games before Mike Gross started the last two, had an impressive outing against Eastern Kentucky.

After entering the contest early in the second quarter, Brune played the rest of the way and completed 13 of 17 passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns.

For the season, Brune is now 47 of 86 for 524 yards.

"Our quarterback situation will still be competitive," Mumford said. "We'll work them all and see who does the best in practice."

* Tailback Riki Smith has taken over as the Indians' leading rusher with 180 yards on 47 carries.

In the receiving department, Leslie Weaver leads the way with 19 catches for 236 yards.

Defensively, linebacker Jeremy Atwell continues to lead Southeast and the OVC in tackles with 57. He's also first in the league in tackles for loss with 14.

End Joel Becker, whom Mumford credited with perhaps having his best game as an Indian against Eastern Kentucky, has two of Southeast's seven quarterback sacks. Conversely, Indian quarterbacks have been sacked 23 times.

"Joel played very well Saturday night. I think he had his most active game since he's been here," said Mumford.

* On the injury front, starting wide receiver and premier kick returner Corey Chester banged up his ankle again and Mumford said he is day-to-day. Chester missed two games with an ankle injury but returned against Eastern Kentucky and caught a touchdown pass.

Backup offensive guard Eric Carlson hurt a knee against Eastern Kentucky and is questionable this week.

Kicker Nick Reggio, who has missed the last two games, remains sidelined by back spasms and is doubtful again this week.

Defensive lineman James Jennette, who has become a key member of the Indians' interior defense, twisted an ankle against Eastern Kentucky but is probable this week.