SE TO 'RACE' INTO OVC PLAY; POWERFUL MURRAY STATE TO VISIT ON SATURDAY

Southeast Missouri State University's football team will now begin directing its thoughts to the start of Ohio Valley Conference play -- although that might not be such a pleasant thought when you really think about it.

Looming on the horizon for the Indians (1-1) is powerful Murray State (2-0), which will visit Houck Stadium for a 7 p.m. kickoff Saturday.

The Racers are one of the nation's elite Division I-AA football teams and they are coming off an impressive 36-31 victory over Western Kentucky, which has been regarded as a serious contender for the I-AA national championship.

Southeast coach John Mumford -- whose squad has been less than impressive in a 23-18 season-opening win over Division II Truman State and a 21-14 loss to Indiana State -- realizes the type of challenge his Indians will be facing Saturday night.

But he also believes playing a team of Murray's caliber just might bring out the best in the Indians.

"Saturday's loss (to Indiana State) was very frustrating, but I think Murray State is the right medicine at the right time," he said during his weekly media conference Monday morning.

"Murray State has a tremendous football team and it's going to be a great challenge for us. It's a big rivalry and our team will be up for them, no question. We'll give it our best shot."

The Racers, 7-4 last season, were expected to field one of the nation's best defenses as they returned eight starters from a unit that ranked second nationally last season.

Offense was supposed to be a question mark for the Racers, who returned just three starters on that side of the ball. But led by Oklahoma transfer Justin Fuente at quarterback, Murray has lit up the scoreboard for 77 points in two games.

Fuente, who started much of the past two seasons for Oklahoma before transferring after the Sooners decided to switch to the wishbone, has completed 55 of 89 passes for 703 yards and five touchdowns, with just one interception.

Fuente is just one of numerous I-A transfers that dot the Racers' lineup.

Murray was picked to finish third in the OVC in the preseason coaches' poll while Southeast was picked seventh out of eight teams.

The Racers tied for second in the OVC last season while the Indians finished seventh.

* While Murray is settled at quarterback, the same cannot be said for Southeast.

Mumford said Monday that his three top signal callers will all receive plenty of repetitions in practice this week, although he did not go so far as to say that starter Jeff Shaw would be replaced.

"We're going to bracket Shaw and Kevin Ceto and give Bobby Brune a lot of reps and see who can get the team moving," Mumford said. "Jeff is a great athlete, but when Kevin has been in the game, we have moved the ball.

"All three quarterbacks have their niche."

Shaw, a better runner than passer, has completed 11 of 29 passes for 114 yards, with four interceptions.

Ceto is eight of 19 for 95 yards, with one interception, while Brune has not attempted a pass in very limited action.

No Southeast quarterback has thrown a touchdown pass yet this season.

* The Indians are battling several injuries heading into the Murray game.

Shaw suffered a concussion against Indiana State but should be ready to go Saturday.

Defensive lineman Troy Baglio (back) will likely be ready for Saturday while defensive lineman Darren Keely (ankle) is a little more questionable.

Fullback Britt Mirgaux, who missed the Indiana State game with a knee injury, is still questionable this week.

* Corey Chester ranks second nationally in kickoff returns with an average of 50 yards on three returns.

* Tailback Corey Williams is tied for the OVC scoring lead with 24 points on four touchdowns. He ranks 11th nationally in scoring.

* Defensive lineman Marcus McClellan had a big game against Indiana State with 12 tackles, one tackle for loss, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

Baglio had 13 tackles and linebacker Gabe Jenkins added nine while linebacker Jeremy Atwell recovered two fumbles, returning one 39 yards for a touchdown.

* Senior offensive guard James Williams, whose eligibility had been in question, was ruled to be eligible by the NCAA late last week and he played against Indiana State.

Williams had sat out the season opener against Truman State while Southeast awaited word from the NCAA.

"It's great news for James and we're all happy for him," said Mumford.