SYCAMORE 'D' FALLS ON INDIANS; INDIANA STATE DEFEATS SOUTHEAST 21-14

Coming off a 66-0 mauling at the hands of powerhouse Kansas State, Indiana State couldn't wait to play a football team in its own class.

The wait was evidently well worth it as the Sycamores survived six turnovers and defeated fellow Division I-AA member Southeast Missouri State University 21-14 Saturday night in front of 5,523 fans at Houck Stadium.

Both squads are now 1-1.

After being totally dominated by Kansas State last week -- the Sycamores were outgained 485 to 87 in total yardage -- ISU found the going a lot more friendly against Southeast.

ISU's triple option `flexbone' produced 321 yards rushing. The Sycamores finished with 363 total yards while limiting the Indians to 205 yards.

"We bounced back well (from the Kansas State game)," said ISU coach Tim McGuire. "Our kids were focused. Kansas State is so good, we realistically knew we wouldn't be 2-0 at this point."

It was the Sycamores' defense that actually did the bulk of the scoring as ISU's `D' produced two of the squad's three touchdowns to bail out an offense that moved at will but kept putting the football on the ground.

"We were given six turnovers and several of them were in good field position but we couldn't take advantage," said Southeast coach John Mumford.

"Defensively, they gave us a lot of looks, like we knew they would. We had a hard time getting anything going and they were able to control the ball."

Southeast's defense also produced a touchdown, on a 39-yard fumble return by linebacker Jeremy Atwell. Corey Williams had the Indians' other TD, on a 4-yard run. Williams has now scored four of Southeast's five touchdowns this season.

Despite ISU's statistical dominance, the Indians very nearly pulled off a miracle comeback. Trailing 21-0 in the fourth quarter, the Indians scored twice in a 52-second span.

After a 62-yard kickoff return by Isaac Powell, backup quarterback Kevin Ceto directed a 38-yard, nine-play drive. Williams scored from four yards out and Nick Reggio converted to make it 21-7 with 9:40 left.

Just 52 seconds later, Atwell scooped up a fumble and raced 39 yards to make it 21-14 after Reggio's extra point.

But ISU's offense controlled the ball for all but 1:21 of the final 8:48 as Southeast had only one more possession and could not move.

"I was very proud of our defensive football team and I was proud of the offensive team for the way they put the game away at the end," McGuire said.

The Sycamores lost starting quarterback Steve Englehart to a hip pointer in the second quarter after Englehart had chewed up Southeast's defense for 61 yards on 11 carries.

But true freshman Sheraton Fox was an admirable replacement. Going the rest of the way, he led all rushers with 106 yards on 28 carries.

Williams led Southeast with 51 yards on 14 attempts while Broderick Benson gained 50 yards on 13 carries.

Southeast quarterbacks Jeff Shaw and Ceto combined to complete just eight of 24 passes for 98 yards, with three interceptions. Dante Bryant caught five passes for 61 yards.

ISU scored on the game's opening possession on a 1-yard run by Calvin Thomas.

Matt Graham's 45-yard fumble return early in the second quarter made it 14-0, which was the halftime score.

Tony Pryor intercepted a Ceto pass and returned it 20 yards for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter to make it 21-0. Southeast's rally then came up short.

The Indians will host powerful Murray State next Saturday night.

"We've got nine games left," Mumford said. "The question is, how are we going to react and come back after this?"