RACERS ROAR; INDIANS SUFFER 45-18 BLOWOUT

MURRAY, Ky. -- It took Murray State's high-powered offense almost the entire first half to finally score a touchdown Saturday night.

But that mattered little as the Racers, after withstanding a spirited early charge from Southeast Missouri State University, wound up pounding the Indians 45-18 in front of 5,287 fans at Stewart Stadium.

The Racers improved to 1-2 by prevailing in the Ohio Valley Conference opener for both squads. The Indians fell to 0-3 as they have been outscored 143 to 50.

But the Indians, despite the final score, looked for most of the first half like anything but a team that had been pummeled early and often in their opening two games.

Southeast actually controlled much of the play over the opening two quarters -- but was still staring at a 28-0 deficit by the intermission.

"I thought we did come out pretty strong, but Murray's offense is good enough that they don't need any help," said Southeast coach John Mumford.

MSU's offense was hardly on the field in the first period but the Racers scored two touchdowns anyway.

Less than two minutes into the contest, after Southeast failed to move on the game's opening drive, Terrence Tillman broke through to cleanly block a Seth Carriere punt and Shaun Boykins returned the ball 12 yards for a 7-0 lead.

Then, in the closing seconds of the opening period, Southeast had a third-and-three from the MSU 25. But Rod Thompson stepped in front of a Bobby Brune pass near the sideline and returned the interception 82 yards for a 14-0 advantage.

"They're too potent an offense to spot 14 points," Mumford said. "We're not the kind of team that can play giveaway with anybody.

"We had a breakdown in protection on the punt block, then we're moving the ball and we throw a pick for a touchdown. We just can't do those things."

The Indians saw another golden scoring chance go by the boards late in the second quarter when, on third-and-one from the MSU 11, Brune was hit for a loss and fumbled. MSU's Gary Wheeler recovered at the 17.

MSU's offense then finally woke up, going 83 yards in seven plays, Shadrach Jackson scoring on a 1-yard run to make it 21-0 with 1:49 left before halftime.

The Racers got the ball back with 44 seconds remaining and it took them only two plays and 16 seconds to travel 62 yards. Standout quarterback Justin Fuente hit Tillman with a 50-yard bomb to make it 28-0.

So, for the third straight game, the Indians were staring at a huge halftime deficit as they have still not scored a first-half offensive point this season. The Tribe has been outscored 89-7 over the first two quarters in 1999.

It didn't take the Racers long to expand their lead in the third quarter. Fuente hit Jackson with a 56-yard TD pass on the opening drive, making it 35-0, and Greg Miller booted a 27-yard field goal on the second drive for a 38-0 lead.

The Indians were able to make the final score a bit more respectable with three fourth-quarter touchdowns.

Brune hit Jerl Huling on a 12-yard TD pass with 12:36 left, then backup quarterback Mike Gross used his arm and legs to spark the Indians to their final two scores.

With 10:42 remaining, Gross romped 43 yards for a TD on an option keeper. He later ripped off a 61-yard option run, setting up his 11-yard TD strike to Huling with 3:46 left that made it 38-18. MSU scored a final TD with 3:17 to play.

Huling has now scored four of the Indians' seven touchdowns this season.

Gross wound up being the game's leading rusher despite playing only the final 11 minutes or so. He gained 104 yards on seven carries and is now also the Indians' leading rusher on the season.

"Mike came in and gave us a spark," said Mumford. "He's a little bit more of a threat to run and that's something we have to look at."

Asked whether Gross, who has sparkled late in the past two contests, has earned a chance to play early in games before things get out of hand, Mumford said, "I think I'll look at the game film and decide from there."

Although much of the yardage came when the outcome had long been decided, Southeast finished with by far its highest output of the season, gaining 378 yards, including 221 on the ground. Before Saturday, the Indians had rushed for 82 yards in their first two games.

Riki Smith added 57 yards on 12 carries. Brune completed 16 of 26 passes for 136 yards. Leslie Weaver had five receptions, followed by Andy Dunaway with four. Huling and John Borne each caught three passes.

MSU had 437 total yards, just 89 on the ground. Fuente had a big night, going 20-for-32 for 339 yards. Tillman caught nine passes for 164 yards.

INDIAN NOTES: Starting wide receiver and return specialist Corey Chester did not play Saturday because of an ankle sprain suffered in practice during the week.

Chester is expected to be ready for next week's game at Western Kentucky.