THE LATEST LINE: SE FANS CAN ONLY HOPE IT GETS BETTER

I don't think anybody, other than maybe those close to the program, expected Southeast Missouri State University's football team to have a great season this year.

Any realistic person can quickly see that the Indians have marginal Division I-AA talent at best.

And, realistically, about all the Indians could possibly hope for is a respectable season, something that gives out at least a small sign that the program is headed in the right direction.

But I don't know that anybody quite expected what happened Thursday night.

By all accounts, Southern Illinois is not supposed to be one of the better teams on SEMO's tough 1999 schedule. Not even close.

That SEMO would beat SIU in the season opener at Houck Stadium was not a given. But most people -- myself included -- expected a fairly even matchup, a game that could go either way.

What happened is that the Indians didn't even look like they belonged on the same field with the Salukis, who romped 43-25.

SIU mauled SEMO in the first half, gaining 298 yards and holding the Indians to seven. I don't ever remember witnessing a game where the statistics were so one-sided in the opening two quarters.

And it's not as if the Indians kept fumbling the ball to put themselves in constant trouble. They simply couldn't match up physically with the Salukis, who dominated both lines and pretty much did whatever they wanted all over the field.

The halftime score was 26-7, but could have very easily been about 40-0 or even worse. SIU handed the Indians a defensive touchdown and missed out on several golden opportunities.

Things picked up some for the Indians in the second half, but it was hard to tell whether SEMO was actually playing better or SIU simply got bored with the proceedings.

SEMO finished with 205 yards against a team that allowed an average of more than 400 yards per game last season. The Indians allowed 438 yards, including 194 yards to a freshman tailback -- Tom Koutsos -- who probably wouldn't have even been on the field had SIU's top two runners not been out.

There are still 10 games left in the season, so the Indians will have plenty of more opportunities to get things going.

But with opponents coming up who are supposed to be a whole lot better than SIU, Thursday's performance was certainly not an encouraging sign.

* A lot of people have been asking me when SEMO is going to hire a new gymnastics coach.

Well, I've been told that a coach has agreed to take the position but a few details have to be ironed out before the hiring becomes official. An announcement is expected within about two weeks.

* It was great to see former SEMO baseball star Kerry Robinson called up by the Cincinnati Reds a few days ago when major league teams were allowed to expand their rosters.

~Marty Mishow is a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian