RIVALS INDIANS, SALUKIS TO TANGLE

Southern Illinois University might have an unimpressive record, but the Salukis have certainly not played unimpressive football this season.

And that fact has not been lost on Southeast Missouri State University coach John Mumford entering today's 1 p.m. game at Houck Stadium.

"They've played just about everybody tough and they've played well against some of the nation's top teams," said Mumford. "They're definitely a lot better than their record indicates."

Mumford believes the same thing can be said about his team, which has struggled much of the season but played well and gave nationally-ranked Eastern Kentucky a rugged challenge last Saturday before falling 20-10.

"I believe we're getting better every week," said Mumford.

Taking all of the above factors into account, and considering the schools are located only about 45 minutes apart, Mumford is looking for quite a game today between two struggling teams trying to finish the season on a positive note.

SIU (3-7, 1-5 Gateway Conference) will be playing its season finale today. Southeast (3-6, 1-5 Ohio Valley Conference) will close out the season next Saturday at home against Tennessee State.

"It's their last game and they'll be wanting to finish strong. We've got two games left and we need to win them both to finish strong," Mumford said. "It's a great rivalry that means a lot to the two communities. It should be a great game."

While the Salukis have won only three games under first-year coach Jan Quarless, they have come ever so close to notching several other victories.

The Salukis lost at second-ranked Western Illinois 31-26, they lost at perennial I-AA power Northern Iowa 28-27 and they dropped a 36-35 home decision to Southwest Missouri, another perennially strong squad. Another close loss was a 19-14 setback at Indiana State.

Among SIU's three victories is an impressive 24-20 triumph over Murray State early in the season when the Salukis rallied from a 20-3 second-half deficit.

"I think coach Quarless is doing a great job," said Mumford. "They've played a lot of good football. They're in a really tough conference, but if they were in the OVC, I don't think there's any question they'd be in the top half.

"Their record doesn't mean anything. They don't quite. The Murray game is a prime example of that."

The Salukis have been solid offensively, averaging 323 yards per game, but they've struggled defensively, giving up an average of 456 yards a contest.

Quarterback Kent Skornia, a strong-armed transfer from Missouri who Southeast tried to land after he left Columbia, has directed SIU's attack impressively. Skornia has completed 124 of 223 passes (56 percent) for 1,764 yards, with 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

"Skornia does a great job," said Mumford. "He'll probably be the best pure passer we'll see. And he has great pocket presence. He moves around and he makes plays."

Craig Cornell has been Skornia's favorite target with 53 receptions for an 18.5-yard average.

The ground game is led by Karlton Carpenter with 615 yards and fullback Brian Nolbertowicz with 385 yards. Coe Bonner, who gained more than 1,000 yards last year but has primarily been passed over in favor of Carpenter, has gained only 205 yards, although he had nearly 100 yards in last Saturday's 34-10 loss to national power Youngstown State.

"They've got a lot of weapons and we'll have our hands full," said Mumford, who will be looking for his team to display the same kind of effort and intensity it displayed against Eastern Illinois. "We'll need that same type of performance we had last week. It's going to take that kind of effort."

SIU at SEMO

Probable Starters

SEMO Offense

TE - Mitch Fryer 6-2 240 Jr.

LT - Ian Walters 6-3 280 So.

LG - Chad King 6-3 275 So.

C - Chris Kiefer 6-3 270 So.

RG - Jessie Eaton 6-3 320 Jr.

RT - Carlos DeJesus 6-3 300 Jr.

WR - Leslie Weaver 5-10 190 Fr.

WR - Dante Bryant 6-1 190 Jr.

QB - Justin Martini 6-1 205 Sr.

FB - Britt Mirgaux 6-1 228 Jr.

TB - Aaron Layne 6-0 195 Sr.

PK - Eric Warren 5-7 190 Sr.

SEMO Defense

DL - Angel Rubio 6-3 290 Sr.

DL - Troy Baglio 6-1 280 Jr.

DL - Damon Hendrick 6-5 260 Sr.

DL - Marcus McClellan 6-3 250 Jr.

LB - Chris Justice 6-2 235 So.

LB - Gabe Jenkins 6-0 230 Jr.

LB - Steve Ledbetter 6-1 230 Sr.

CB - Fred Hambrick 5-10 180 Jr.

CB - Willie Davis 5-11 190 Sr.

FS - John Smith 6-1 190 So.

SS - Ronnie Smith 5-9 195 Sr.

P - Justin Terrill 6-2 185 Sr.

SIU Defense

DL - Andre Bailey 6-3 201 Fr.

DL - Jaton Jackson 6-2 290 So.

DL - Doug Reicherter 6-3 270 Jr.

DL - Brian Broussard 6-1 238 Fr.

LB - Greg Harrison 5-11 230 Sr.

LB - Mike Teiber 5-11 210 Fr.

LB - Ryan Hallahan 6-3 245 Sr.

CB - Duane Lawrence 5-10 180 Sr.

CB - Jean Baptiste 5-9 165 Jr.

FS - Freddie Taylor 5-8 175 Sr.

SS - Sam Wilkerson 5-11 215 Jr.

P - John Amitrano 5-11 195 Jr.

SIU Offense

TE - Mike Green 6-6 245 Fr.

LT - Jason Krivis 6-4 300 Sr.

LG - Jarrod Joiner 6-1 210 Fr.

C - Jim Lawhorn 6-1 275 So.

RG - Brandon Fick 6-3 270 Jr.

RT - Walter Skeate 6-2 280 Sr.

WR - Jeraldo Henry 6-0 170 So.

WR - Cornell Craig 6-1 170 So.

QB - Kent Skornia 6-4 200 Jr.

FB - Bryan Nolbertowicz 6-0 220 Jr.

TB - Karlton Carpenter 5-9 205 So.

PK - John Amitrano 5-11 195 Jr.