Southeast Missouri State University's defense will have to change gears as the football Indians look for their first win of the season.
Last Saturday, the Indians faced the high-powered passing attack of Murray State, which romped 45-18.
Tonight, the Indians will try to slow down Western Kentucky's ground-oriented option offense -- known as the flexbone -- when the Ohio Valley Conference squads meet in a 7 o'clock kickoff at L.T. Smith Stadium in Bowling Green, Ky.
It will be the first meeting of the teams since 1964, when WKU prevailed 14-0. The Hilltoppers lead the series 8-1.
WKU, back in the OVC after an 18-year absence, is 2-1 overall and 1-0 in conference play. Southeast is 0-3 overall, 0-1 in the league.
"They'll be the first real option team we've faced this year and that always presents a lot of different problems," said Southeast coach John Mumford. "You have to play strict assignment football or they can really burn you."
On the other side of the ball, the Indians' offense will look to finally get untracked before a game gets way out of hand.
Southeast has been outscored 143 to 50 so far, including 128 to 10 over the first three quarters. The Indians do not have an offensive touchdown in the initial three periods of any game, the only TD coming on defense.
Mumford is encouraged that the Indians were able to score three fourth-quarter touchdowns against Murray State and hopes they can pick up tonight where they left off last week.
"We need to carry that over (into tonight's game)," Mumford said.
Backup quarterback Mike Gross directed two of the three touchdown drives last week, when he rushed for 104 yards to become the Indians' leading rusher on the season with 111 yards.
Gross, who has directed three of Southeast's seven TD drives this season, has primarily seen action in the fourth quarter of games.
Mumford said that starting quarterback Bobby Brune and Gross, who took plenty of reps with the first unit during practice this week, will both see early action tonight. There is even speculation that Gross will start, but no official announcement is expected until close to game time.
Some other positions for Southeast will also see some shakeups, due to several key injuries.
Corey Chester, a starting wide receiver and premier kick returner, will miss his second straight game because of an ankle injury that has not quite healed, although Chester should be ready to go next week. Andy Dunaway will start for Chester.
Nick Reggio, the Indians' place-kicker, is out indefinitely with recurring back spasms that have plagued him since the offseason. Punter Seth Carriere will also handle the kicking duties tonight, although it's not likely that Southeast would attempt any lengthy field goals.
And wide receiver Jerl Huling, who has caught all four of the Indians' touchdown passes this season, will not play in the first half tonight because of disciplinary action.
WKU enters the game ranked in the top 10 nationally in rushing offense with 271 yards per game. The Hilltoppers have finished among the nation's top 10 in that department in each of the past eight years.
Fullback Rod Smart has been the Hilltoppers' main running threat as he leads the OVC with 318 yards, averaging a healthy 6.6 yards per carry.
The Hilltoppers have been hurt by the absence of quarterback Donte Pimpleton, an option wizard who suffered a knee injury in the season opener and has been limited to just one play in the last two weeks. Pimpleton has been listed as day-to-day and his status for tonight is not certain.
Jason Michael and Sylvester Gray have performed admirably in Pimpleton's absence. Michael leads the OVC in passing efficiency, although he has attempted just 16 passes, completing seven for 217 yards.
"He's more of a threat to throw," said Mumford of Michael. "They suck you in with the option and can really burn you on play-action."
Defensively, the Hilltoppers utilize speed more than bulk, led by linebacker Melvin Wisham and end Ben Wittman. Wisham is second in the OVC in tackles with 35 while Wittman leads the league in quarterback sacks with 5.5 and in tackles for loss with eight.
Another major threat for the Hilltoppers is freshman Bobby Sippio, who leads the OVC and ranks ninth nationally in punt returns with 18.5 yards per return.
INDIAN NOTES: Brian Hinton, also a starting cornerback, ranks 10th nationally and second in the OVC in kickoff returns with 30.25 yards per return...
Carriere is second in the OVC in punting with 40.76 yards per boot...
Linebacker Jeremy Atwell is fourth in the OVC in tackles with 34 and he is tied for first in tackles for loss with eight.
SEMO at Western Kentucky
When: Today, 6 p.m.
Where: L.T. Smith Stadium, Bowling Green, Ky.
Records: SEMO 0-3, 0-1 OVC; WKU 2-1, 1-0 OVC
1998 records: SEMO 3-8; WKU 7-4
Last Week: SEMO lost to Murray State 45-18; WKU lost to South Florida 21-6
Coaches: John Mumford (SEMO) 37-65, 10th year; Jack Harbaugh (WKU) 56-55, 11th year
Series record: WKU leads 8-1
Last meeting: WKU won 14-0 in 1964
Radio: K103-FM
SEMO at Western Kentucky
Probable Starters
SEMO Offense
TE -- John Borne 6-1 235 Sr.
LT -- Ian Walters 6-4 295 Sr.
LG -- Chad King 6-2 300 Sr.
C -- West McKee 6-5 245 Fr.
RG -- David Fielder 6-3 290 Jr.
RT -- Chris Kiefer 6-3 285 Sr.
WR -- Leslie Weaver 5-7 155 Jr.
WR -- Andy Dunaway 6-0 180 So.
QB -- Bobby Brune 6-4 210 So.
(or) Mike Gross 6-0 185 So.
FB -- Devree Flint 6-0 205 Fr.
TB -- Riki Smith 5-9 185 Sr.
PK -- Seth Carriere 5-11 180 So.
SEMO Defense
DE -- Chad Gwilliam 6-3 260 Jr.
DT -- Brad Richardson 6-2 275 Sr.
NG -- James Jenette 6-0 320 Fr.
DE -- Joel Becker 6-2 255 Sr.
LB -- Jeremy Atwell 6-1 220 Sr.
LB -- David Bowling 6-0 220 Sr.
LB -- Donovan LaViness 5-11 220 Sr.
CB -- Demar Winston 5-9 170 Fr.
CB -- Brian Hinton 5-10 165 Sr.
FS -- John Smith 6-1 195 Sr.
SS -- Isaac Powell 6-1 195 Jr.
P -- Seth Carriere 5-11 180 So.
WKU Defense
DE - Ben Wittman 6-1 242 Sr.
DT - Paul Marshall 6-0 320 Jr.
DT - Arthur Wilson 5-11 286 So.
DE - Chuck Skillman 6-1 237 Sr.
LB - Sherrod Coates 6-1 195 So.
LB - Melvin Wisham 6-1 223 Sr.
LB - Brian Maney 6-0 195 Sr.
CB - Mel Mitchell 6-2 192 So.
CB - Joseph Jefferson 6-9 191 So.
FS - Alan Ogletree 6-1 201 Jr.
SS - Bobby Sippio 6-4 220 Fr.
P - Alan Ogletree 6-1 201 Jr.
WKU Offense
TE - Cory Himsel 6-1 251 Sr.
LT - Ray Arnold 6-0 260 Sr.
LG - Eric Ravellette 6-1 281 So.
C - Patrick Goodman 6-2 295 Sr.
RG - Derek Forster 6-4 285 Fr.
RT - Todd Sorrell 6-4 268 Sr.
WR - Leroy Littles 6-2 200 Sr.
QB - Sulvester Gray 5-8 170 Jr.
(or) Jason Michael 5-10 195 So.
RB - DeWayne Gallishaw 5-9 183 Jr.
FB - Rod Smart 5-10 185 Sr.
RB - Brock Baker 5-8 185 So.
K - Jeff Poisel 6-1 220 Sr.
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