SE TAKES ON WINLESS GOVERNORS

On paper at least, Austin Peay's Governors should be just what the doctor ordered for Southeast Missouri State University's ailing football team.

But Southeast coach John Mumford warns against the Indians taking the winless Governors lightly during today's 1:30 p.m. non-conference game in Clarksville, Tenn.

In Mumford's opinion, if the Indians don't come out with any more fire than they did during last week's 55-6 loss at Middle Tennessee, then today's contest will be far from a sure thing.

"If we don't get on this team early, we'll find ourselves in the same situation," he said. "We will have to regain our intensity and play with emotion or we will be in trouble."

Now, is that just coach-speak or is Mumford seriously concerned about stumbling against the lowly Governors? It's hard to tell, but the coach makes no attempt to hide how disappointing last week's 49-point loss was.

"We were very flat emotionally. Why we were so mentally flat is beyond me," Mumford said. "We can't play that way."

As many problems Southeast (2-5 overall, 1-4 Ohio Valley Conference) appears to have, they pale in comparison to what the Governors are going through.

Austin Peay, which no longer competes in OVC football but has remained in the league for all other sports, has downgraded its program to the non-scholarship level because of financial problems.

The Governors have paid the price on the field this year. In future seasons they plan on only playing other non-scholarship team, but this year's schedule had already been set, meaning the Govs knew they would be in some serious trouble trying to compete.

Austin Peay is 0-7 and has been outscored 314-83, including 240-27 the last five games. The Governors rank near the bottom of the national I-AA statistics in total offense (230 yards per game) and total defense (484 yards per game).

The Governors were competitive in their first two games, losing to fellow non-scholarship opponent Morehead State 55-43 and Samford 21-13. But since then -- facing powerful foes Western Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky, Tennessee Tech, Murray State and Eastern Illinois -- the Govs have not come closer than 28 points.

But despite all those statistics that would appear to indicate a Southeast romp today, Mumford says the Governors do possess some talent.

"They have very good personnel defensively. They have some athletes who really fly around," he said. "They've been struggling offensively but they have a couple of skill people who are dangerous. They spread you out and throw the ball all over the field."

Quarterback Adam Pineo was having a solid season with more than 1,000 yards passing in the first six games. But he has been lost for the season with an injury.

Freshman Jason Stooksbury, who has taken over for Pineo, is only 10-for-36 for 172 yards on the season.

Austin Peay's top receivers have been Frank Escobar (34 receptions, 436 yards) and O.T. Todd (29, 446).

Leading the Governors' running game is Chris Black, who has 315 yards but averages just 2.9 yards per carry.

One of the more impressive aspects of the Governors, according to Mumford, is that they don't appear to be overly discouraged despite being winless.

"Their biggest strength is, they haven't won a game, but they continue to play hard," he said.

Mumford is hoping his team plays just as hard today. If that happens, then he figures the Indians will have a good shot at getting back on the winning track.

INDIAN NOTES: Mumford has shuffled his lineup some today, with several different players scheduled to start.

Offensively, Chad King of Fredericktown will be at left guard.

Defensively, new starters for today are Jonathan Robinson at end, Steve Ledbetter of Charleston at linebacker, John Smith of Jackson at free safety and Brian Hinton at cornerback.

SEMO at Austin Peay

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 - Jonathan Robinson 6-2 255 Jr.

DL - Marcus McClellan 6-3 250 Jr.

LB - Gabe Jenkins 6-0 230 Jr.

LB - Chris Justice 6-2 235 So.

LB - Steve Ledbetter 6-1 230 Sr.

CB - Brian Hinton 5-11 180 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.

AP Defense

DL - Mike Merriman 6-3 222 Jr.

DL - Josh Beach 6-4 298 Jr.

DL - Ted Skipper 6-1 250 So.

DL - Jeff Parish 6-1 240 Jr.

LB - Dedric Maffett 6-0 195 So.

LB - Jaime Iracheta 5-11 235 Jr.

LB - Tommy Leaf 5-11 200 Jr.

CB - Kwasi Clark 5-11 175 So.

CB - Tayler Jenkins 6-0 172 Jr.

FS - LeNoris Staples 6-1 185 Fr.

SS - Tennille Hudgins 6-1 215 Jr.

P - Jaime Iracheta 5-11 235 Jr.

AP Offense

TE - Karl Wenzel 6-4 225 Sr.

LT - Tony Lockhart 6-3 265 Fr.

LG - Brandon Masters 6-1 290 Fr.

C - Landon Dunaway 6-3 255 Sr.

RG - Larry Washington 6-1 328 Fr.

RT - Bodie Welch 6-7 340 Jr.

WR - O.T. Todd 6-6 195 Jr.

WR - Frank Escobar 5-9 170 Sr.

QB - Jason Stooksbury 6-3 205 Fr.

FB - John Davis 6-0 205 So.

TB - Chris Black 5-8 190 Jr.

PK - Jon Palmer 5-11 200 So.