SE PUTS FOCUS ON TRIP TO SIU

Their long and difficult road trip to Marshall behind them, Southeast Missouri State University's football Indians can now begin turning their attention to regional rival Southern Illinois University.

The Indians, who opened the 2000 season with a 63-7 thrashing at the hands of Division I-A power Marshall Thursday night, figure to be on a much more level playing field Saturday when they take on SIU's Salukis in a 1:30 p.m. kickoff at McAndrew Stadium in Carbondale.

Speaking at his weekly media conference Tuesday, Southeast coach Tim Billings said he expects to face a much different SIU squad than the one that had eight turnovers during a 42-20 season-opening loss at Murray State Thursday night.

"They beat themselves. They gave the game to Murray," said Billings. "They beat us by three touchdowns last year (42-25 in Cape Girardeau). They're supposed to be better (this year) and they're at home. They'll be favored to win."

Even though the Salukis figure to rank as the favorites going into the game, Billings acknowledged that, on paper at least, the contest figures to be a fairly even matchup and the Indians should have at least a decent shot at giving their first-year boss his initial victory as a college head coach.

"The two teams should be pretty evenly matched," he said. "There are two very explosive offenses and both defenses are still a question.

"I think it's a big turning point of the season for both teams. It will show which direction each team is going."

* The Indians had three injuries in the Marshall game. Offensive guard Mike Green suffered a knee injury, punter/kicker Jason Witczak pulled a leg muscle and linebacker Asim Thomas suffered a dislocated elbow.

Green and Witczak are both awaiting results of MRI tests, which will determine their availability for the SIU game, while Thomas will likely miss the contest but should return for the following week's home opener against Illinois State.

Running back Mark Blissett, who missed the Marshall game with a sprained ankle suffered in practice, should be ready to go Saturday.

Defensive tackle James Jennette, who suffered a broken hand in practice on Aug. 15 and missed the Marshall game, is doubtful for this week but should be ready for Illinois State.

Kicker Nick Reggio, who was pressed into kickoffs and second-half punting duties after Witczak was injured against Marshall, has been hobbled with a hip flexor problem and he hadn't practiced in a while before the Marshall game.

"Both Witczak and Reggio probably won't kick until the end of the week," Billings said. "It's an unusual situation, with both kickers (hurting)."

* Kelvin Jones, a sophomore defensive back, became eligible just before the Marshall game and he participated in that contest.

Jones is a transfer from Marshall, where he attended school but did not play football. A high school teammate of Southeast wide receiver Tarik Simpson, Jones is listed No. 2 at strong safety on the Indians' current depth chart.

* The Southeast Booster Club is sponsoring a bus for the SIU game. The bus will leave the Show Me Center at 11 a.m. and return after the contest. The cost is $21, which includes a game ticket.

Only 47 spaces are available on the bus. Anybody wishing to reserve a spot should call 651-2252 no later than Thursday.

* Ohio Valley Conference teams went 5-1 in the opening week of the season, with the lone loss being by Southeast.

OVC squads posted a pair of impressive wins over teams from the Gateway Conference, which is widely regarded as one of the nation's premier I-AA leagues. In addition to Murray State's pounding of SIU, Eastern Illinois beat Indiana State 42-24.

Other results saw Tennessee State defeat Alabama State 39-13, Eastern Kentucky rout Glenville State 41-0 and Tennessee-Martin down Lambuth 32-21.