Southeast linebacker unimposing, but that hasn't slowed him

Ricky Farmer knows he's not the biggest or fastest linebacker in the Ohio Valley Conference. Not even close.

Then why is Southeast Missouri State University's junior regarded as one of the OVC's best at his position?

It's easy. Farmer is a football player, pure and simple. What he's got, said Southeast coach Tim Billings, can't be measured in height, weight or speed.

"What Ricky's got, you really can't teach," Billings said. "He's just got great instincts. He really knows the game. He might not be all that fast, but he's got great football speed. He's tough, he's smart and he always seems to be around the ball. He's a great player and he's one of the leaders of our defense."

Farmer is definitely not the prototypical linebacker. At 6 feet and 220 pounds, along with a 40-yard dash time of about 4.8 seconds, he's not going to blow away opponents with his physical attributes. But that hasn't stopped Farmer from putting up big numbers in his roughly 1 1/2 years as a starter so far.

"I have a good nose for the ball, I guess you could say," said Farmer, a middle linebacker. "I would say I have good instincts and good reaction."

As a true freshman in 2000, the native of Fort Myers, Fla., was scheduled to redshirt. But he kept opening eyes in practice and, after a few linebackers went down with injuries, he was inserted into the starting lineup for a mid-season game against Tennessee Tech. All he did that day was register 19 tackles, leading to his selection as OVC and national newcomer of the week.

"It was pretty hectic," a smiling Farmer said as he recalled his first college game. "I remember learning the defense in about two weeks."

Farmer went on to collect 55 tackles in four games before suffering a season-ending knee injury. He came back from that setback strong last year, making 110 tackles, including 10 for loss, along with three quarterback sacks. All three figures ranked second on the team.

And even bigger things are expected from Farmer this season as he was selected to the all-OVC preseason first team.

"People around the league know how good a football player Ricky is," Billings said.

Billings knew about Farmer long before anybody else in the OVC laid eyes on him. Prior to taking over Southeast's program, Billings spent 10 years as an assistant at Marshall. And during virtually all of those 10 years, Farmer attended Marshall's summer football camp in Huntington, W.Va., while visiting his grandmother, who lived in the town.

"I ran a camp store, selling candy and stuff, and I used to take money from him every year," said a laughing Billings. "But I remember he was always smart and tough. When he first came he was just a little bitty kid, but he knew how to play."

Added Farmer with a grin, "Coach Billings was never my position coach at those camps, but I knew who he was. And he used to sell candy. I spent a lot of money there."

Farmer said he had hoped to eventually play for Division I-A Marshall, but the powerful Thundering Herd weren't interested.

"I looked into it a little but, but I guess my size and speed kept me out of that," he said.

As luck would have it, Billings was hired at Southeast during Farmer's senior year in high school. He remembered Farmer from those summer camp days. Even if Marshall wasn't interested, the Indians were -- although not with a scholarship.

"Coach Billings called me. They didn't have any scholarships left, but I came here anyway," Farmer said.

So Farmer began his Southeast career as a walk-on, although Billings was quick to point out that he's definitely on scholarship now.

"Now I guess I'm paying him back for all the money I used to take from him at those camps," Billings said. "But it's been well worth it. He's been a heck of a player for us."

No matter what the stopwatch reads.Noteworthy

n Southeast spokesperson Ann Hayes said Thursday that the mystery illness that infected nearly 40 Southeast student-athletes earlier this week -- most of them football players, along with a few coaches -- has been diagnosed as acute viral gastroenteritis, which is the inflammation of the stomach and intestinal tract.

Hayes said the Missouri Department of Health, through collaboration with the Cape Girardeau County Health Department, made the diagnosis. Health department officials said those types of flare-ups happen from time to time and the exact cause may never be known.

Although two students had to visit the hospital because of the illness in the last 24 hours, it appears to be on the decline. Hayes said the university is sanitizing all locker rooms, training rooms and restrooms that the student-athletes use. She also said signs have been posted around campus instructing students to be mindful of good hygiene.