Tech could dim Indians' hope for winning record

This year at least, Tennessee Tech and Southeast Missouri State University are football teams heading in opposite directions.

After floundering for much of the 1990s, coach Mike Hennigan led a Tech resurgence and directed the Golden Eagles to winning records the past two seasons when they went a combined 15-6. But the Eagles have taken a step backward this year with a 2-6 overall record and an 0-3 Ohio Valley Conference mark.

After Southeast also struggled through much of the 1990s, coach Tim Billings found the rebuilding process to be a slow one when he was hired three years ago. But after going a combined 7-15 in his first two seasons, Billings and Southeast have taken a step forward this year. The Indians are 5-4 overall and 2-2 in the OVC as they chase their first winning record since 1994.

Those two contrasting squads square off tonight at Houck Stadium in Southeast's final OVC home game.

"We're not where we felt we'd be," Hennigan said.

Despite losses the past two weeks, the Indians say they are where they felt they had a good chance to be, despite being lightly regarded by just about everybody else before the season.

"I feel like our program has come a long way this year, and I feel like we have a chance to end up with a really good season," Billings said. "But it's really important we play well these last three games. It's important we finish strong, and having a winning record would be a big accomplishment."

With Eastern Kentucky looming on the road next week, the Indians virtually are in a must-win situation tonight if they want a winning season.

But beating Tech is not a given. Despite their record, the Eagles have been competitive in every game following a brutal start to the schedule that saw them play two strong Division I-A teams.

"No matter what their record says, they're a good team. They've been in a lot of games," Billings said. "They're a scary team. We're going to have to play really well."

After being drubbed by I-A teams Bowling Green 41-7 and Iowa State 58-6, the Eagles beat Chattanooga 13-3 and Valparaiso 62-10.

But Tech hasn't won since, falling to Jacksonville State 35-29, Eastern Illinois 35-28, Murray State 31-14 and Eastern Kentucky 19-0. The Eagles were tied with Murray State at halftime and trailed Eastern Kentucky 5-0 well into the second half.

"They've had some tough losses," Billings said.

The Eagles have their share of weapons. On offense, sophomore quarterback Robert Craft has been strong in his first season as a starter, completing 121 of 216 passes (56 percent) for 1,900 yards and 10 touchdowns, with five interceptions.

Anton Thomison (30 receptions, 539 yards) and Derek Lee (24, 508) are Craft's favorite targets. Tailback Jason Ballard (516 yards, 4.1 average) has been solid, but as a team the Eagles rank last in the OVC in rushing (111.5 yards per game).

"Robert has been put in some tough situations lately, but he's played well for the most part, especially for having limited experience," Hennigan said. "I think he has done a good job and he'll even get better."

Defensively, the Eagles have traditionally been one of the OVC's best, but injuries to some key players have hampered that unit.

All-American end D.J. Bleisath, plagued by injuries much of the year, bounced back with 12 tackles against Eastern Kentucky and appears to be at full strength. Linebacker Daniel Wentzel leads the OVC in tackles with 14.3 per contest.

"We've struggled with their offense the last two years and they always play good defense," Billings said. "We'll have our hands full."

Hennigan said he's worried about the Indians' high-flying offense that already has broken a team record for points in a season along with several individual school marks.

"Right now they have the balance of the run and pass game and that trickles down to a strong offensive line," he said. "We knew they were an up-and-coming football team and I think they're the most improved team in the league."