SE'S NO. 1 QB LEAVES SCHOOL; CONCUSSION, AMILY ILLNESS FACTORS IN DEPARTURE

When touted quarterback Heath Graham transferred into the Southeast Missouri State University football program this year, hopes were high that he would help lift a struggling offense and also help propel the Indians to a breakthrough season.

Although they are currently just 1-2, the Indians still have a shot at that breakthrough season. But if it happens, it won't be with Graham at the controls of the offense.

Southeast head coach John Mumford announced Friday afternoon that Graham had left the Southeast program and school to return to his home town of Stringer, Miss.

Mumford said there were two primary reasons for Graham's departure: the concussion he suffered during last Saturday's 17-3 loss at Murray State and a serious illness in the family.

"This is the fourth concussion Heath has had in the last two or three years and there was a concern there," said Mumford. "But the overriding factor is the serious illness in the family.

"The illness demands him being there to support his family, his parents. Family comes before anything else and I respect that."

Mumford did not wish to elaborate on the illness, but Graham's sister -- who he is extremely close to -- is reportedly critically ill with an inoperable disease.

Graham came to Cape Girardeau this summer amid much hoopla. He had been a starter for 2 1/2 seasons at Division I-A Southern Mississippi, passing for 4,053 yards, which placed him second on the school's career yardage list behind Green Bay Packers star Brett Favre.

When Graham was benched midway through his junior season at Southern Mississippi last year and never took another snap, he went looking for a Division I-AA program to transfer to. He ultimately decided on Southeast, where he would be able to play right away because the NCAA allows immediate eligibility to players transferring to a lower division.

But Graham had a slow start with the Indians, missing much of fall practice because of a sore right shoulder. He was able to start all three games this year, but put up disappointing numbers until suffering the concussion on a late hit early in the second half against Murray State.

While playing for the Indians, Graham completed 19 of 45 passes (42.2 percent) for 165 yards, with one touchdown and four interceptions.

Mumford praised Graham for the type of individual he was and wished he and his family well but said the team will be fine without him.

"Heath was a first-class individual and I believe it hurt him to leave, but it would have hurt him more to not be with his family," Mumford said. "We'll miss him. He was much ballyhooed coming in, but he's not bigger than the program. No one man is."

With Graham gone, senior Justin Martini is the quarterback that will -- barring injury -- lead the team the rest of the season.

Martini, who started 10 of 11 games last season, replaced Graham against Murray State and led the Indians on their only scoring drive. For the season, Martini is 20 of 48 (41.7 percent) for 223 yards, with no touchdowns and four interceptions.

A much more mobile quarterback than Graham, Martini last season completed 103 of 234 passes (44 percent) for 1,225 yards, with five touchdowns and seven interceptions. He would have started tonight's game at Tennessee-Martin anyway because Graham was still feeling the effects of the concussion.

"Justin has played well and right now it's his team to run," said Mumford. "We've got a lot of confidence in Justin."

Backups to Martini will be junior Jeff Shaw, listed as a wide receiver, and true freshman Bobby Brune.

Shaw, who last season caught 18 passes, came to Southeast as an option quarterback before making the position change.

"Jeff is a good athlete and could do some things for us back there," said Mumford.

Plans are for Brune, a Cape Girardeau Central High product, to be redshirted this year so he can retain four seasons of eligibility.

"If at all possible, we want to redshirt Bobby," Mumford said. "But he's very unselfish and a great kid. He said `if you need me, I'm ready.'"