SWITCH LIGHTS UP COOPER'S SMILE; INDIANS RETURN RECEIVER TO HIS NATURAL POSITION -- RUNNING BACK

Curtis Cooper was all smiles at Southeast Missouri State University's football media day Thursday afternoon.

In addition to being a generally pleasant person, the reason for Cooper's cheery outlook as he was being interviewed at steamy Houck Stadium had everything to do with a position switch.

Cooper is finally back at his natural spot of running back as he assumes a key role in Southeast's one-back offense. And the senior couldn't be happier about the move.

"That's my natural position, the one I've played all my life, and I thank the coaches for giving my a chance," said a grinning Cooper.

Cooper did pretty well away from the backfield last year during his rookie season with the Indians after transferring from Independence (Kan.) Community College.

Despite being second-team all-conference in the highly competitive Jayhawk League -- the first-team all-conference running back was Rudi Johnson, who went on to have a standout season at Auburn and was taken in the fourth round of this year's NFL draft by the Cincinnati Bengals -- Cooper played wide receiver for the Indians last season.

And he played it impressively as he caught 30 passes, which ranked third on the squad behind two players who have completed their eligibility.

But Cooper probably made his biggest impact with the Indians on special teams as an electrifying return man. He led the Ohio Valley Conference in kickoff returns with a 24.3-yard average and ranked fourth in punt returns at 10.5 yards a pop. Cooper returned a punt 66 yards for a touchdown during the Indians' memorable 34-33 win over rival SIU, a game that saw Southeast rally from a 33-7 second-half deficit.

"I think I opened their eyes returning kicks," said Cooper, referring to the Southeast coaches. "I wanted to be a running back all along and I kept reminding the coaches all year. My teammates all said I looked like a running back."

The main reason Cooper was at wide receiver last year is that the Indians needed help in that area, but Southeast head coach Billings knew all along what kind of running back his junior-college recruit was.

"Curtis was a great running back in junior college and we're really excited about having him in the backfield this year," Billings said. "He looked really good in the spring and I look for him to have a big year. He's an exciting runner who can make people miss."

Cooper figures the moves he displayed returning kicks last year -- he'll continue to play that role this season, although the Indians have upgraded that position with equally exciting newcomer Willie Ponder -- will serve him well in the backfield.

While somewhat diminutive for a college running back at 5-feet-8 and 183 pounds, Cooper is plenty strong as he bench-presses 360 pounds and squats over 400 pounds. But the native of Toledo, Ohio, admits that his non-size attributes are his strengths.

"I'd say my vision and balance are my biggest strengths, and also catching the ball out of the backfield," he said. "But I don't let my size bother me. It's been proven that guys my size can do well as running backs."

Asked his goals for the season, Cooper said they primarily revolve around the team as he hopes to help the Indians start laying the foundation for turning around a struggling program that has not had a winning record since 1994 and has not won more than three games in a season since 1997.

"I just want to help the team by opening up the pass," said the communications major. "I want to help us have a winning season and get a tradition started here."

As for an individual goal, Cooper laughed when reminded that no Southeast running back gained more than 264 yards last year and that the Indians' leading rusher was quarterback Rashad West with 313 yards.

"I don't want the quarterback to be the leading rusher this year," he said.

Neither does Billings, which is no doubt one of the reasons Cooper is finally back at his favorite position.