Southeast Missouri State University's football team has steadily tried to close the gap on cross-state rival Southwest Missouri.

Tim Billings, Southeast's third-year coach, hopes the Indians have narrowed that gap enough to pull off a rare victory over the Bears when the squads play tonight at Plaster Field in Springfield, Mo.

"My first year, they physically dominated us," Billings said. "Last year, we had an opportunity to win the game but we had five turnovers, they came back on us and they kind of physically dominated us in the fourth quarter.

"I think we've gotten a whole lot better and hopefully we'll have an opportunity to win the game."

The Bears (2-1) have won nine of the past 10 meetings with the Indians (2-1), with Southeast's last victory coming in 1999. A year ago the Indians led much of the way before SMS rallied for a 31-28 win in Cape Girardeau. Two years ago in Springfield, the Bears rolled 24-7.

SMS probably ranks as the favorite again tonight, but the Bears are riddled with injuries and will be without several of their top offensive players who went down during last Saturday's 44-24 loss at Division I-A Kansas.

Quarterback Ryan Porter (knee) and leading rusher Eddie Linscomb (knee) have been ruled out of the game and second-leading rusher Steve Ennis (toe) is doubtful.

Porter has passed for 327 yards, Linscomb has rushed for 201 yards and averages 5.4 yards per carry, and Ennis has 170 yards rushing with a 4.4 average.

"Other people will just have to step up," SMS coach Randy Ball said.

The Bears appear to have a capable backup in junior-college transfer Michael White, who has completed 12 of 24 passes for 174 yards and two touchdowns, with no interceptions.

"He does a pretty good job," Ball said. "He's not very experienced, so that's the biggest thing. But he's got a good arm and makes good decisions."

Expected to get his first career start at tailback is Zach Dechant, who rushed for 49 yards on 11 carries and scored on a 15-yard touchdown against Kansas. For the season, he has 56 yards on 12 attempts.

"It's a bad deal that Eddie and Steve went down," Dechant said. "Hopefully, I'll do the most with my opportunity. I feel like I'm prepared for it."

The Indians also are using a backup quarterback after starter Jeromy McDowell suffered a season-ending knee injury in practice following the first game of the year.

But Jack Tomco has stepped in and performed well, completing 68.2 percent of his passes (45 of 66) for 509 yards and four touchdowns, with two interceptions. He leads the Ohio Valley Conference and ranks 15th nationally in passing efficiency with a rating of 146.9.

"I feel like I'm getting more comfortable every game and the players around me are doing a great job," Tomco said.

SMS had a strong showing at Kansas in its last outing, trailing by three points in the third quarter and being outgained in total yards just 314 to 295. But the Jayhawks dominated the special teams to win going away.

Southeast also suffered its first loss of the season at a I-A opponent last week after Eastern Michigan scored with 55 seconds left to spoil the Indians' upset bid 35-32.

Ball has seen enough film of the Indians to believe they are improved.

"They're an awfully good football team," Ball said. "The coach has been there a while now and he has his own kids playing. You can really tell a difference.

"I expect a really tight game and we're going to have to play well to beat them."

Noteworthy

* Billings learned recently that he has been selected to the Fannin County Sports Hall of Fame in his home state of Texas. Billings grew up in tiny Honey Grove in Fannin County.

The induction will be Nov. 16, the day the Indians close the regular season at home against Samford. Billings said his father, who still lives in Texas, will represent him at the ceremony.

"There are three big halls of fame -- baseball, football and Fannin County," Billings quipped.

mmishow@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 132