WINGS OF STEELE: ANGEL IS STILL ON INDIANS' SIDE

Angel Rubio is majoring in accounting but he'd make a heck of a public relations prospect.

Rubio, Southeast Missouri State University's standout defensive lineman, is trying to spread the word to anybody willing to listen that Indians football will be well worth watching this year.

At the Indians' recent media day, Rubio lauded the Indians' improved talent and attitude and said he's certain good things are in store -- even though Southeast suffered through a dismal 3-8 season in 1996 that featured less-than-impressive turnouts at Houck Stadium.

"All we need is for people to come out to the first game (Aug. 30 vs. Lambuth) and see what we can do," said the personable Rubio with a grin. "Then they'll be back."

As he prepares for his final season at Southeast, Rubio is certain to do everything he personally can in order to ensure a successful campaign for the Indians.

Those who have been consistently watching Rubio in practice so far say he has never looked better -- and that truly is saying something, considering that the soft-spoken giant has been ranked by `The Sporting News' as the second-best defensive lineman in NCAA Division I-AA.

Rubio, a stout yet extremely mobile 6-foot-3, 290-pounder, has been putting on a dominating show during workouts and he's looking forward to that kind of season. If it happens, then a shot at the professional ranks will likely follow.

"Of course I'd love to (play in the pros)," said Rubio. "Who wouldn't want that opportunity. But to have that chance, I really have to have a great season. And if I do that, then it's going to help out the team a lot."

Rubio, a California native, has put up some impressive numbers for the Indians despite missing virtually all of the 1995 season after suffering a serious knee injury during the first game.

After earning second-team all-Ohio Valley Conference honors in 1994, Rubio bounced back from the '95 injury to again make second-team all-OVC last year when he had 103 tackles (including 15 for losses) and seven quarterback sacks.

"Angel has been a tremendous player for us and it looks like he's ready to finish his career with another great season," said Southeast head coach John Mumford. "Angel is strong and quick and he's really looking good. He worked hard to get ready for the season and it shows."

Rubio appreciates that kind of talk and he does acknowledge that he worked extremely hard in the offseason in order to come to camp in the best possible condition.

"I tried to really prepare. I wanted to be at my peak," he said. "But I feel like I still can improve in a lot of areas."

He feels that the team as a whole has already made great strides from last season and genuinely believes that an OVC championship is not out of the question.

"Our talent this year is better than it's ever been, which has made everybody work that much harder because we know that every job is open," he said. "I really believe that this team has talent at every position. I feel like we have the talent to win the OVC."

Rubio said that, although he is a senior, he feels no sense of urgency that the Indians must have a big season in order for him to make his career at Southeast seem whole. Still, he thinks a big season is in the cards.

"I don't feel like we have to have a good year for me to feel like my career is complete," he said. "But as a senior, it would be great to have a big year. And I really feel like we're going to have one."