THE LATEST LINE: ARTIFICIAL TURF AT HOUCK NOT A BIG CONCERN

A recent spate of season-ending, non-contact injuries in the National Football League -- most notably to Jets' quarterback Vinny Testaverde and Falcons' tailback Jamal Anderson -- have once again brought up the topic of how dangerous some artificial surface fields can be.

I've had several people comment to me that, in light of the above -- and in light of all the horror stories there have been over the years -- Southeast Missouri State University would be crazy to even consider putting in an artificial surface at Houck Stadium.

But, as has been reported several times in the past, SEMO officials are not considering putting in the astro-turf type artificial surfaces that are used by many NFL teams.

SEMO is proposing an artificial surface that looks, feels and acts just like natural grass. Many college teams -- including Nebraska -- are now using this type of surface and it's supposed to be an exceptional one.

I've inspected a sample of the surface and it's really impressive. It's supposed to be just like playing on grass, without the worry of getting the field chewed up by excess use or rain.

If and when SEMO does get this surface -- and I've been told it's definitely going to happen -- people shouldn't have to worry about any additional injuries caused solely by some unforgiving turf that doesn't budge.

* SEMO's volleyball team will finally have some well-deserved home matches this week.

The Otahkians, who opened the season at home way back on Sept. 1, have been on the road ever since, playing 12 straight matches away from Cape Girardeau.

SEMO will enjoy a three-match homestand this week, beginning Tuesday night when Tennessee-Martin visits Houck Field House.

* And speaking of home games, it will be nice for SEMO's football squad to finally play at Houck Stadium again -- and I'm saying that primarily for selfish reasons.

Over the past three Saturdays, I've logged well over 1,000 miles following the Indians to Normal, Ill., Murray, Ky., and Bowling Green, Ky.

It'll be a pleasure to only have to drive down the street to watch the Indians play in the next two weeks, beginning Saturday when Eastern Kentucky visits Houck Stadium.

* My apologies to Poplar Bluff's Mules for not including them in last week's column on undefeated area teams.

The Missourian sports staff had been given incorrect information regarding the outcome of the Mules' game at Jackson (Tenn.) North Side and I wrote my column believing Poplar Bluff had lost.

Bluff is, in fact, still undefeated and looking extremely strong as they aim for a second straight Class 5A, District 1 title.

~Marty Mishow is a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian