All of a sudden, a team that was virtually given up for dead -- by some fans and the media -- just a few weeks ago is back in the thick of the Ohio Valley Conference race.

Southeast Missouri State University's wild 41-38 win at Eastern Kentucky Saturday marked the Indians' second straight victory and tied them for first place in the OVC in the all-important loss column.

The Indians, 2-5 overall and 2-1 in the OVC, are one of four teams with one conference defeat. Samford and Jacksonville State are technically tied for first at 3-1, with Tennessee State also 2-1.

If the Indians win their remaining five OVC games -- they figure on paper to be favored or at least even in all five -- they can do no worse than tie for the title.

"It's a great feeling, two wins in a row," linebacker Michael Irving said after Saturday's triumph. "I said after we beat Eastern Illinois that this would be a snowball effect. Now we're really in the hunt for the OVC."

But Southeast coach Tim Billings cautioned during his weekly media conference Monday morning that the Indians can't get too far ahead of themselves. They must simply continue to focus on each game, beginning with Saturday's 6 p.m. home contest against struggling Murray State (2-6, 1-3).

"We can't worry about it. We have to take it one game at a time," Billings said. "This is the most important game of the year because it's the one we play this week.

"But if we keep playing, we'll have an opportunity to win every game. We're not playing great, but the good thing is, our kids are playing with a lot of heart and they have a lot of confidence. As long as we have that belief and confidence, we'll have a chance."

Billings emphasized that not only have the Indians displayed plenty of heart by bouncing back from an 0-5 start and a loss at Samford in their OVC opener, they also demonstrated plenty of grit in several instances against Eastern Kentucky.

Southeast fell behind 21-7 early in the second quarter and appeared on the verge of being blown out. Then, after taking a late 38-24 lead, Southeast saw Eastern Kentucky tie things in the final minute before the Indians drove for Derek Kutz's game-winning field goal with nine seconds left.

"It could have been a heart-breaking loss, but we came through at the end," Billings said. "It was a big win for us."

Now the Indians will look for another big win. Even though Murray State is reeling after losing four-year starting quarterback Stewart Childress to a knee injury, the Racers have beaten Southeast 10 straight times.

"It's going to be a battle, like it always is," Billings said. "I just hope we can come out on top of them for a change."

Simonhoff comes on

True freshman punter David Simonhoff drew raves from Billings in the preseason but he struggled both with height and distance during the first part of the year.

Simonhoff, however, has come on like gangbusters -- and he is now ranked first in the OVC in punting with a 42.3-yard average, which also places him 12th nationally.

"David struggled some early but he's really come on," Billings said. "He's got a really strong leg."

Injury situation

Starting defensive end Adam James injured a knee against Eastern Kentucky and is doubtful for Murray State. The same goes for freshman backup defensive end Edgar Jones, who hurt an ankle Saturday.

Tailback David Taufoou (knee), who missed the last two games, could see action against Murray State. Backup quarterback Jeromy McDowell (shoulder), who has also been out for several weeks, remains questionable.