SE HEAVES SIGH OF RELIEF ON MIRGAUX

Not only was Southeast Missouri State University's football team able to squeeze out a season-opening win Thursday night, but the Indians also received some good news Friday morning regarding an injury to one of their top players.

Senior fullback Britt Mirgaux, who suffered what appeared to be a serious knee injury early in the second half of the 23-18 triumph over Truman State, is apparently not hurt nearly as bad as originally feared.

According to Southeast head coach John Mumford, Mirgaux apparently suffered a sprain but no structural damage to his right knee. He is listed as questionable for the Indians' next game, Sept. 12 against Indiana State.

"The knee seemed to tighten up fine, which was really good news," said Mumford. "It looked pretty bad (Thursday night), but the news is certainly a lot better today."

Mirgaux's latest injury was not to the knee on which he had surgery in the spring. He appears to have bounced back well from the injury to the left knee that forced him to miss virtually all of spring practice.

A former Scott City High standout, the 6-foot-1, 230-pound Mirgaux was his normal punishing self in the first half Thursday night as he pounded his way for 47 yards on nine carries. He was injured on the first play of the second half.

Mirgaux was the Indians' leading rusher the past two seasons. He gained 492 yards a year ago after compiling 661 yards in 1996.

Meanwhile, true freshman Tatum Kitchen is definitely out for the season after suffering a broken ankle while playing on the kickoff coverage unit early in Thursday's game. Kitchen will use a redshirt year and will retain his four seasons of eligibility.

In a non-injury matter, senior guard James Williams -- a returning starter on the offensive line -- did not play Thursday because his eligibility is in question.

The NCAA recently ruled Williams ineligible, but Southeast appealed that ruling. The school expects to hear back from the NCAA in the next several days regarding the situation.

As for Thursday's game, Mumford emphasized that he was not disappointed with the fact Southeast had to score in the final three minutes to avoid a major upset against the Division II Bulldogs.

"Truman State is a very solid Division II team and I think they could compete well with a lot of the teams on our schedule," Mumford said. "I knew we'd have a battle. I think it was good to win a come-from-behind game like that. It's good for our confidence and our faith in each other.

"I don't think we were ecstatic after the game because we know we can play a lot better. Penalties really hurt us, but they were all hustle penalties."

Southeast was penalized 11 times for 99 yards while Truman State was hit with only three penalties for 32 yards.