SE'S NEXT TASK RANKS HIGHER IN DIFFICULTY, POLL

The way Southern Illinois dominated Southeast Missouri State University Thursday, the Salukis must have looked like one of America's top Division I-AA teams to the Indians.

But SIU isn't even close to being among the nation's elite.

That, however, can't be said about the Indians' second opponent of the 1999 football season.

In Illinois State, which will host Southeast at 6 p.m. Saturday, the Indians will be facing a squad ranked fifth in The Sports Network I-AA poll, a squad that returns most of its key players from last year's 8-4 playoff team.

Even though SIU might have looked like a powerhouse during Thursday's 43-25 romp at Houck Stadium, Southeast coach John Mumford knows the Indians will be facing a vastly superior team Saturday.

"Illinois State is more physical than SIU and they have great skill players," said Mumford during his weekly media conference Tuesday. "They are bigger and stronger up front and they play with a real mean disposition."

That certainly doesn't sound promising for a Southeast squad that was manhandled up front on both sides of the ball against SIU.

"We got pushed around (against SIU)," Mumford said. "This week, we'll have a big emphasis on line play on both sides.

"The bottom line is we better get better in the trenches in a hurry."

Illinois State, coached by former Southeast assistant Todd Berry, opened the season with a 41-9 romp past Division II Truman State. The Redbirds rolled up 621 yards of offense.

Berry was the Indians' offensive coordinator under Mumford in 1991.

* Mumford had said prior to the SIU game that the Indians would feature a much more wide-open offense this season.

That never really materialized against the Salukis but Mumford said things could change Saturday.

"We thought we could run the ball on SIU," said Mumford, whose team totaled just 22 net rushing yards on 37 attempts against the Salukis. "We'll probably see more four wides (receivers) this week."

* The Indians have done a bit of shuffling in the offensive line, with David Fielder moving from center to right guard and freshman West McKee moving into the starting center spot.

Mumford said the Indians are anxiously awaiting the return from a shoulder injury of backup guard Eric Carlson, who is still doubtful for this week.

"A big key to the line is getting Eric back," Mumford said. "He gives us a lot more flexibility there."

* Southeast's three linebackers were the Indians' leading tacklers against SIU.

Jeremy Atwell had 14 total tackles, including eight unassisted stops and three for losses. David Bowling had 12 tackles while Donovan LaViness followed with 11.

Joel Becker, Andre Clark, John Smith and Isaac Powell all were credited with seven tackles.

* Southeast and Illinois State last met in 1997 when the Redbirds romped 41-7 at Houck Stadium.

That game marked the unofficial coming out party of Illinois State quarterback Kevin Glenn, who had a big game as a freshman against the Indians.

Glenn, now a junior, is regarded as one of the nation's top I-AA quarterbacks. He set school single-season passing marks for yardage and touchdowns last season and threw for 344 yards against Truman State.

* Illinois State is, like SIU, a member of the rugged Gateway Conference -- a league that Southeast has had little success against.

Since moving to Division I-AA, the Indians are just 2-14 against Gateway Conference opponents. Southeast plays four Gateway teams this season, with Indiana State and Southwest Missouri the other two.