MUMFORD LIKES LOOK OF FRESHMEN

While Southeast Missouri State University's football Indians won't kick off practice with the entire team until Wednesday, about 25 newcomers were able to get an early start on things over the weekend.

The newcomers -- including freshmen and junior-college transfers -- reported to camp Saturday and participated in workouts Sunday.

More workouts with the newcomers will take place today, which also is when about 65 veterans will report back to camp.

Full-squad, two-a-day practice sessions will begin Wednesday.

Southeast coach John Mumford said back in the spring that he was elated with the Indians' group of freshmen -- they signed 16 -- and he certainly didn't change his theme over the weekend.

The Indians were able to sign their biggest group of freshmen from Southeast Missouri in years -- the local haul featured eight players -- and Mumford believes it's an impressive group.

"It was a particularly strong year in the area last season," said Mumford. "It's a real good looking group of freshmen overall, not only from the area.

"The newcomers all look good, the freshmen and the others. It's an impressive group. They're in pretty good shape. Most of the freshmen have done pretty well with their strength programs in high school and they seem to take to coaching and catch on pretty quick."

As is the case every year, Mumford said he would hope that very few of the freshmen are forced into considerable playing time during their first year of college football, but that all depends on how they progress and what specific needs the Indians have.

"Never want to push the freshmen too soon, but I think we have a few that might give the veterans a good push and move into key backup and special teams roles," Mumford said.

Among the area freshmen Southeast signed are Cape Girardeau Central linebacker Tatum Kitchen; Sikeston running back Mark Blissett; and three Jackson products: running back Devree Flint, quarterback Justin Keen and defensive end Kent Langston.

In addition to the freshmen signees, several walk-on freshmen have joined the squad, including Cape Central defensive end Ben Lowrance and Jackson wide receiver Travis Wilson.

"I'm pleased with the walk-ons," said Mumford. "I think we have some guys that can eventually help us out down the road."

* Southeast was ranked 200th out of the nation's 235 Division I-A and Division I-AA football teams in the Sagarin Ratings that were recently released.

Eastern Kentucky was the highest-ranked Ohio Valley Conference squad, coming in at 134th.

The rankings for the other OVC programs were as follows:

Eastern Illinois, 144; Murray State, 147; Middle Tennessee, 173; Tennessee Tech, 184; Tennessee State, 193; Tennessee-Martin, 212.