SOUTHEAST HOPES TO BOLSTER D-LINE IN TIME FOR EKU

Doing a better job against the run will be one of Southeast Missouri State University's primary objectives as the Indians prepare for their next game.

Southeast was gouged for 354 yards rushing by visiting Western Kentucky Saturday night as the Indians fell 38-14 in their Ohio Valley Conference opener.

Now the Indians must get ready for another run-oriented, smash-mouth type of opponent in preseason OVC favorite Eastern Kentucky, which will host Southeast in a 6 p.m. kickoff Saturday in Richmond, Ky.

Speaking at his weekly media conference Monday, Southeast coach Tim Billings said the smallish nature of his defensive line -- particularly at the end positions -- has helped teams overpower the Indians up front.

"Our defensive ends are really small. They're good players, but they're small," Billings said. "The biggest thing is to get bigger and stronger players, but you can't do that during the season.

"I don't feel like we're a big and strong defensive line and that's a concern right now. We haven't been able to stop the run and we're going to see the same thing this week."

The Indians rank seventh in the eight-team OVC in rushing defense, ahead of only lowly Tennessee-Martin. Southeast is allowing an average of 281.5 yards per game on the ground through four contests.

Billings said that getting 315-pound defensive tackle James Jennette back after he missed the first two games with an injury has helped the Indians up front, and Southeast also plans to move 250-pound Demond Williams back outside to provide more bulk at end.

Southeast, which is 2-2 overall and 0-1 in OVC play, figures to need all the defensive line help it can get against Eastern Kentucky, which features the league's leading rusher in 222-pound tailback Corey Crume, who is averaging more than 130 yards per game.

"Eastern Kentucky is a lot like Western Kentucky," said Billings. "They're a strong, physical team that can run the ball. They don't have as much option (as Western Kentucky), but they'll run it right at you. The key is for us to stop the run."

The Colonels, who have never lost to the Indians in 10 meetings, are 2-1 overall and 0-1 in the OVC after Saturday's 9-3 surprising home defeat against Tennessee Tech. Eastern Kentucky was averaging 484 yards per game before being held to 193 yards by the Golden Eagles.

* Senior safety Joe Williams, who was credited with 19 tackles against Western Kentucky, has vaulted into a first-place tie in the OVC in tackles. He has 59 stops for an average of 14.8 per game.

Another senior safety, Isaac Powell, is fourth in OVC tackles with 47.

Defensive end Charlie Sorter is tied for second in the league in quarterback sacks with three, and he and linebacker Corey Mathis are tied for third in tackles for loss with six. Mathis is also third in fumble recoveries with two.

Curtis Cooper is third in the conference in both kickoff and punt returns, averaging 20 and 14.22 yards per return, respectively.

As a team, the Indians lead the OVC in kickoff and punt returns, averaging 22.17 and 14.22 yards per return. Southeast is also 15th nationally in punt returns, thanks to Cooper.

* While the Indians have had trouble stopping the run so far this season, they have also not gotten much production out of their own running game.

Southeast ranks last in the OVC in rushing offense with an average of 61 yards per game, and they're averaging just 1.9 yards per attempt, although sacks are figured into that total.

* Punter Jason Witczak was selected as the NCAA Division I-AA national special teams player of the week following his performance against Illinois State on Sept. 16.

Witczak averaged 43 yards on 11 punts, including four of over 50 yards and a 63-yarder.

For the season, Witczak is averaging 42.81 yards per punt to rank second in the OVC and 10th nationally.

* On the injury front, quarterback Rashad West who has already been hobbled some by a sprained ankle -- suffered a bruised sternum against Western Kentucky, but Billings said he should be able to start Saturday.

Sorter has a bruised shoulder and is listed as day-to-day while backup free safety Leotis Belcher broke his hand during practice last week and will be sidelined for at least three weeks.

Wide receiver Jake Hill has been moved to free safety, where he will take Belcher's place in backing up Joe Williams.

* Billings said the first few weeks of the season have indicated to him that the OVC race should be tight and balanced.

While Eastern Kentucky, Murray State and Tennessee State were picked one through three in the preseason poll, teams like Western Kentucky, Tennessee Tech and Eastern Illinois have been the most impressive OVC squads to date.

"I think it's very balanced," Billings said. "I told the kids I don't think any team will go through undefeated. Somebody may do it, but I think it will be a hard, hard thing to do.

"We still feel like we have a shot at this thing."