The verdict is in. Jeromy McDowell will be Southeast Missouri State University's starting quarterback Sept. 1 when the Indians open the season on the road against Division I-A opponent Eastern Michigan.

Southeast coach Tim Billings announced his decision prior to the Indians' practice Monday evening after the coaching staff had met with the three quarterbacks vying for the position.

"The competition was really close, but we decided to go with Jeromy," said Billings. "He's done everything we've asked him to do. He's learned the offense and gained the respect of all the players."

McDowell, a redshirt freshman, was named the starter over seniors Rashad West and Bobby Brune, who have basically split time at the position the past two years. West has been hobbled somewhat by a knee injury suffered playing pickup basketball in June.

"Rashad's knee was something of a factor, but he's done pretty well (in practice) and so has Bobby," Billings said. "They all have strengths and negatives and I would be confident with any of the three."

The 6-foot-3, 200-pound McDowell had a record-setting career at North County High School in Bonne Terre, Mo., earning all-state honors three times and becoming Missouri's all-time prep passing leader.

Billings thought it was something of a coup when Southeast was able to sign McDowell two years ago and nothing that has transpired since has changed the coach's mind.

"He's a great leader. He's always learning, always watching film," said Billings. "The last freshman to start for me at quarterback was Chad Pennington. I've said all along that Jeromy has a lot of those same qualities."

Pennington was Marshall's star quarterback when Billings was an assistant coach there and he is now in the NFL.

Of course, McDowell has not yet been tested in an actual game, although Billings was impressed by McDowell during his redshirt season last year when he excelled during practice and in the spring game, which has led to a solid preseason this year.

"Jeromy doesn't make many mistakes. He's good under pressure. A big key is not beating yourself," said Billings. "I feel like he has a great future ahead of him."

A redshirt freshman at quarterback for the Indians figures to fit right in with an extremely young team that will start only a handful of seniors and utilize plenty of rookies.

But Billings said the fact McDowell will be able to grow together with the other young players, while somewhat enticing, had little to do with the decision.

"I guess it's good to have all these guys growing together, but we feel he's the best one right now," Billings said. "It's his ball now. We're going with him."

Still, Billings did not rule out the possibility that both West and Brune would get their share of playing time, depending on how McDowell fares. Billings used a baseball analogy to indicate that sometimes relief work is necessary.

"Some days Tom Glavine or Roger Clemens don't have their best stuff and you go with a relief pitcher," said Billings. "A lot of teams around the country use more than one quarterback."

Captains named

Billings said Monday that the Indians will have six captains for the coming season, all elected by the players.

Offensive captains are running back Curtis Cooper and wide receivers Willie Ponder and Adrian Sanders. The defensive captains are linemen James Jennette and Jermaine Motley and linebacker Ricky Farmer.

Cooper is the only senior among that group. Ponder and Sanders are highly touted first-year players, having transferred in from the junior-college ranks.