Racers next in line for Indians

Southeast Missouri State University's football team doesn't have time to fret over missing out on a chance to grab sole possession of first place in the Ohio Valley Conference.

Next up for the Indians is a game against a hot-and-cold Murray State squad that has the potential to be as dangerous as any in the conference -- and has owned Southeast over the years.

The Indians (5-3, 2-1 OVC) and Racers (2-4, 1-1) square off at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in Murray, Ky. The contest will be televised by Fox Sports Net South.

"To me, this game will really determine our season, where we're going to be," Southeast coach Tim Billings said during his weekly media conference Monday. "If we can win, it will really give us a lot of confidence going into our last three games."

Billings is confident the Indians will be able to bounce back strong and shake off the effects of Saturday's 44-27 home loss to powerful Eastern Illinois. The defending OVC champion Panthers broke a first-place tie with the Indians and moved into sole possession of the conference lead.

"Just talking to some of the kids, they feel confident. They still feel good about themselves," Billings said. "Murray State has a really good football team, but I'm confident our team will play well."

The Racers lead the all-time series with the Indians 30-4-1 and have won the past nine meetings. Southeast's last victory over Murray State came in 1992 and the Indians' last triumph in Murray came in 1978.

"We're trying to beat a lot of teams we haven't beaten in a long time," Billings said.

The Racers were extremely impressive two weeks ago in beating Tennessee Tech 31-14 -- then Saturday they were throttled 31-7 at Eastern Kentucky.

"They've kind of played hot and cold this year," Billings said. "But they've played really well at home. You can tell they're a different team at home, but we've played pretty well on the road.

"I expect a really good football game. It should be close."

Murray State, which has routed Southern Illinois (42-24) and Tennessee Tech in its only home games this season, defeated Southeast 45-35 in Cape Girardeau last year as the Racers rallied from a 21-14 halftime deficit.

With both teams having one OVC loss, the loser would all but be eliminated from championship contention while the winner would remain alive in the title chase.

"It's a big key game for both of us," Billings said. "If we can win this game and beat Tennessee Tech at home, we could go to Eastern Kentucky with a chance of getting in the playoffs.

"And I know Murray is looking at it the same way. If they win this game and then win out, they'd at least tie for the conference title and have a chance to get in the playoffs."

The Indians host Tennessee Tech on Nov. 2 and visit Eastern Kentucky on Nov. 9 before finishing the season with a non-conference home game against Samford on Nov. 16.

Kutz breaks record

While quarterback Jack Tomco broke several school records in recent weeks and wide receiver Willie Ponder is well on his way to shattering quite a few records this year, placekicker Derek Kutz quietly broke a school mark during the Eastern Illinois game.

Kutz, who kicked three extra points, now has 34 this year to surpass the previous single-season mark of 31 set by Earl Wessel in 1989.

A sophomore from St. Vincent High School in Perryville, Kutz is a perfect 34-for-34 in conversions this year.