SE'S IMPROVED SHOWING EARNS GROSS A SECOND START AT QUARTERBACK

Southeast Missouri State University's football team is still winless -- but for the first time all season, the Indians have at least a little bit of hope to hang their helmets on.

That ray of sunshine came Saturday night during a 21-10 loss at Western Kentucky.

After being totally blown out in their first three games, the Indians battled the Hilltoppers on virtually even terms, trailing only 14-7 at halftime and just 14-10 heading into the fourth quarter.

The Indians will be looking to build on that performance as they prepare for a two-game Ohio Valley Conference homestand, beginning with Saturday's 6 p.m. Family Weekend contest against Eastern Kentucky at Houck Stadium.

"We're getting to be more competitive, but we have to start making plays," said Southeast coach John Mumford during his weekly media conference Monday. "We started knocking on the door against Western Kentucky and now we need to kick in the door."

In order to do that, the Indians (0-4 overall, 0-2 OVC) will need to beat perennially strong Eastern Kentucky (3-1, 0-0) for the first time ever. The Colonels have won all nine meetings between the teams, including 19-7 in Richmond, Ky., last year.

"For the most part, we've played Eastern Kentucky tough, but never enough to get over the hump," Mumford said. "I couldn't think of anything better than to beat them on Family Weekend. That would be a great shot in the arm for us."

Despite the Indians' winless record, Mumford said he has seen no evidence of his squad even beginning to falter mentally. That was apparent against Western Kentucky.

"We played like men and played hard for four quarters (against the Hilltoppers)," he said. "I'm proud of that. We're all tired of losing, but I believe this group has shown that they have some character and heart.

"I have seen no quit in this team."

Mumford said the Indians, who have played three straight road games, will face a typical Eastern Kentucky team Saturday, one that generally tries to maul the opposition.

"They're just going to line up and come at you," he said. "As always, you have to stop their tailback. They've got two outstanding ones."

The Colonels' Corey Crume leads the OVC in rushing with 398 yards while Derek Logan is fourth with 269 yards.

Eastern Kentucky also has a solid quarterback as Waylon Chapman has completed 63 percent of his passes for 643 yards, with eight touchdowns and four interceptions.

* Mumford said that Mike Gross will make his second consecutive start at quarterback Saturday, although Bobby Brune -- who started the first two games -- could also see action.

Gross had 175 yards of total offense against Western Kentucky in his first career start, but he did suffer two costly interceptions, one setting up a touchdown and one returned for a score.

"Mike made some very good plays and graded out pretty well," said Mumford. "He missed a couple of plays that would have made a huge difference in the game.

"I personally hate to have a two-quarterback issue, but Mike and Bobby bring different things. We'll just to have to see how things go in practice this week."

* The Indians should have one of their key players back this week.

Corey Chester, a starting wide receiver and premier kick returner, missed the last two games with an ankle injury but should play against Eastern Kentucky.

But Mumford said that place-kicker Nick Reggio, who missed the Western Kentucky game with back problems, is not expected to play this week and he could be out for the season.

Reggio has been troubled off and on since injuring his back in the weight room during the offseason.

Punter Seth Carriere was impressive kicking for Reggio against Western Kentucky, booting a 35-yard field goal and an extra point.

* Southeast has struggled so much with its running game that Gross is still the team's leading rusher on the season with 151 yards -- most of that coming on two long runs in the fourth quarter two weeks ago against Murray State.

The Indians are averaging less than 100 ground yards per game while allowing more than 200.

* Linebacker Jeremy Atwell leads the OVC in tackles for losses with 11. He is third in the league in total tackles with 43.

Safety Isaac Powell is sixth in the OVC in tackles with 38 and he is third in interceptions with two.

Brian Hinton ranks second in the league in kickoff returns with an average of 24.17 yards per return.