THE DEFENSE: YOUNG, INJURED GUNS READY FOR ACTION

A position-by-position look at Southeast's defense:

Line

This unit got trampled much of last season as opponents rushed for nearly 3,000 yards and averaged a whopping five yards per carry, but Billings is looking for considerable improvement.

Much of this position's success could hinge on the health of massive junior James Jennette, a 300-pound tackle who was injured much of 2000 but can be a dominant player. The two-year starter had 28 tackles last season.

At the other tackle is junior Jermaine Motley, who came on the second half of last season after transferring from Marshall. He finished the year with 33 tackles.

Manning one end position is junior Tatum Kitchen (Cape Central), who had 35 tackles last season, while redshirt freshmen John Paul Usrey and Cal Jillison are at the other end.

Several others are expected to receive considerable playing time, including sophomore Travis Bucher and true freshmen Caleb Daniel (Jackson) and Adam Jones. Bucher was a part-time starter last year.

Linebacker

This group is headlined by the undersized but productive Corey Mathis, a 200-pound senior who makes up for what he lacks in size with speed and instinct.

Mathis was a second-team all-OVC pick last year when he had 97 tackles, ranked nationally in tackles for loss with 19 and recorded seven quarterback sacks. He was the only Southeast player selected to the 2001 all-OVC preseason team.

Manning the middle is sophomore Ricky Farmer, who became a starter midway through last season and racked up 55 tackles in four games before being sidelined with a knee injury. He is now fully recovered.

Juco transfer Todd Frazier and Mike Irving, who transferred from Jackson State after not playing football there last year, are at the other outside position.

Junior Kelvin Jones, who saw action last year and had 24 tackles, figures to be a key backup again.

Secondary

The Indians must replace standout safeties Joe Williams and Isaac Powell -- last year's leading tacklers as seniors -- but there appears to be solid depth here.

Listed as the starters are senior Leotis Belcher at strong safety, juco transfer Prince Anderson at free safety and junior Demar Winston and true freshman Dimitri Patterson at the corners.

Winston is the Indians' second-leading returning tackler as he had 69 a year ago in a starting role. Belcher had 24 tackles as a backup.

Also returning are seniors Charles Lewis, Mike Gross (Jackson) and Ed McCray; junior Isaac Huddleston, who tied for the team lead in interceptions last year with two; sophomore Marco Tipton; and redshirt freshman Bruce Tanner.

Punter

A big question mark after Jason Witczak earned Division I-AA All-American honors during his senior season last year.

Junior Kyle East, who punted four times a year ago, faces the task of replacing Witczak.