SMITH TURNS IN HIS WEEKLY TD FOR TRIBE

Defensive football players rarely get to score a touchdown, but Ronnie Smith is starting to make a habit of reaching the end zone.

Smith, Southeast Missouri State University's standout strong safety, scored his second touchdown in two weeks Saturday when he returned a fumble 17 yards for the Indians' lone score during a 32-7 loss to Eastern Illinois.

Last week, in a 42-7 romp at Tennessee-Martin, Smith intercepted a pass and went 43 yards for a touchdown. And he also scored a TD last year on a 91-yard fumble return against Austin Peay.

"I was just in the right place at the right time," said Smith of Saturday's touchdown, which came late in the first half, cutting EIU's lead to 18-7 and giving the Houck Stadium crowd at least a glimmer of hope.

Smith, a 5-foot-9, 195-pound senior, also intercepted a pass Saturday to account for both of Southeast's forced turnovers. A four-year starter, he was the Indians' third-leading tackler last year when he had 111 stops.

While Smith was obviously pleased to score again, he said it didn't mean all that much since it came in a loss.

"It would have been better to win," he said.

* Smith and fellow defensive back Michael Reece were each credited with 15 tackles according to unofficial press box statistics following the game.

Smith also had a team-high seven solo stops.

Linebacker Zuri Buchanan was credited with 13 tackles. Linebackers Gabe Jenkins and Chris Justice, along with defensive back Andrew Joyce, all were credited with eight stops.

Official statistics are tabulated later when Southeast coaches review game films.

* There's no telling what it would have done to the outcome of the game, but the Indians had an apparent go-ahead touchdown called back in the first quarter.

With Southeast trailing 3-0, K.D. Koleosho broke loose down the sideline and went 66 yards to the end zone. But a hold wiped out the play and Southeast's offense rarely threatened the rest of the game.

* Joyce appeared to give the Indians a lift in the second quarter. With EIU ahead 10-0, he returned a kickoff 61 yards to the Panthers' 33. But the drive stalled on an interception.

* A duel between the top two punters in the Ohio Valley Conference was won hands down by Southeast's Justin Terrill.

Averaging 42.5 yards per punt to lead the OVC entering the game, Terrill boomed six for a 48.6 average.

EIU's John Fowle, second in the OVC at 42.4 yards per punt, booted three for a 35-yard average. But in Fowle's defense, his kicks came in Southeast territory when he was trying to pin the Indians deep.