OVC entry gets another quick exit

It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that Ohio Valley Conference football was way down this year.

An 0-8 record against Gateway Conference teams during a challenge series between the leagues, along with no OVC squad being nationally ranked for several weeks, pretty much sealed the conference's fate.

Jacksonville State, which edged Southeast Missouri State University in the regular-season finale to win the title during its first year in the league, had one final chance to salvage some OVC pride Saturday.

But, like most OVC teams in recent years, the Gamecocks were easy prey in the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs, losing 45-7 at Western Kentucky.

Granted, Western Kentucky is the defending national champion, but the Hilltoppers are not considered nearly as strong as last year. Still, an OVC squad falling so badly in the playoffs is nothing new -- especially lately.

Last year, when the OVC got two teams into the playoffs only because Murray State surprisingly earned the automatic bid, the Racers and highly ranked Eastern Illinois both lost by 39 points.

In fact, not counting Western Kentucky's 2000 playoff win during a time when the Hilltoppers spent two years in the league, no OVC team has won a postseason game since Murray State prevailed in 1996. Overall, the OVC -- not counting that Western Kentucky victory -- is 1-12 in the postseason since 1995.

Taking all the above into account, if you're a Southeast fan, maybe it's better the Indians didn't make the playoffs.

Seriously, I'm sure there isn't a Southeast supporter out there who wouldn't have wanted to see the Indians in postseason play for the first time. But given the OVC's recent history -- and what happened to Jacksonville State Saturday -- you get my point.

Still on the subject of Southeast football, fans were naturally disappointed that the Indians fell short of their first OVC title and I-AA playoff berth despite entering the season with so much hype and high expectations.

But by finishing third in the OVC for the second straight year after having previously placing that high just once since moving up to Division I-AA, the Indians appear to have elevated their program enough under Tim Billings where they will consistently contend for a conference title, which is about all you can ask for on this level.

And with the majority of their key players scheduled to return next season -- although they do lose several standout seniors -- there is no reason to believe the Indians won't again challenge for the crown next year.

Southern Illinois' magical football season came to a crashing halt Saturday in the first round of the I-AA playoffs as the Salukis were hammered 48-7 at Delaware.

The Salukis were outgained in total yardage just 340 to 303, which would not indicate such a lopsided margin of victory. But SIU committed six turnovers and gave up a touchdown on a blocked punt.

Still, going 10-2 after being 1-10 just two years ago is some kind of a turnaround.

Speaking of SIU -- basketball style -- Southeast will get the next crack at ending the Salukis' impressive 28-game home winning streak that ranks third nationally. The Indians and Salukis square off Wednesday night in Carbondale.

Best wishes to longtime Sikeston High School football coach Charlie Vickery, who recently announced his retirement.

Marty Mishow is a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian.