SE GRINDS EIU ON THE GROUND

Southeast Missouri State University fullback Broderick Benson has primarily made his mark this year with punishing blocks.

But Saturday, Benson did a whole bunch of damage on the ground as the Indians won their third straight game, a wild 45-38 decision over visiting Eastern Illinois.

Benson, a senior, came into the contest with 69 yards rushing on 24 carries through the first nine games.

But Benson nearly doubled that total in one day as he gained 125 yards on just seven carries, including a key 75-yard touchdown run on the final play of the third quarter that proved to be the deciding score."It felt real good," said Benson of his 100-yard game.

Benson was quick to laud the Indians' offensive line, which received some criticism early in the season but has really come on in recent weeks and was a big key to Southeast's 385-yard ground explosion Saturday."The offensive line is doing a real good job," Benson said. "And (quarterback) Rashad (West) makes things happen."Even though Benson wasn't doing much in the way of running the ball for the first nine games of the season, Southeast coach John Mumford was always quick to laud his fullback's crushing blocks."Broderick has been trucking people all season," said Mumford. "His blocking is a big part of us running the football."Benson, who rushed for more than 400 yards last year, has been content with punishing opposing defenders through his blocking."I like taking guys out," he said with a laugh. "Anything for the team."As for his 75-yard touchdown Saturday, Benson wasn't exactly looking for an oxygen tank after he reached the end zone. But he did say, "It was my longest run since high school."

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While Southeast's defense, which has been solid in recent weeks, allowed 488 yards, the Indians were strong against the run, giving up just 53 yards on 34 attempts.

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Linebacker Donovan LaViness was denied an interception in the fourth quarter when a defensive holding penalty wiped out the play and kept an EIU drive going.

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Brian Hinton had a 69-yard kickoff return immediately after an EIU touchdown that pulled the Panthers to within 21-14 in the second quarter.