SE running game picks up ground

Out of the many positive signs that emerged from Southeast Missouri State University's near-upset of Division I-A Eastern Michigan Saturday night, one of the biggest had to be the performance of running back Curtis Cooper.

Cooper, who played wide receiver for the Indians last year but had been a running back in junior college, broke loose for 129 yards on 26 carries during the Indians' 16-12 season-opening loss.

At most schools, rushing for 100 yards might not be cause for celebration. But it is when one considers that a year ago, Southeast's leading rusher among running backs -- freshman Marcus Patton, who is no longer with the program -- finished the season with a paltry 264 yards.

"I thought Curtis played excellent," said Southeast coach Tim Billings during his weekly media conference Tuesday. "He made some great runs."

The other offensive headliners against Eastern Michigan were three players making their collegiate debuts: Quarterback Jeromy McDowell and wide receivers Willie Ponder and Adrian Sanders.

McDowell, a redshirt freshman, withstood some early punishment -- he was sacked five times -- to complete 17 of 35 passes for 222 yards, with one touchdown and one interception.

"I think Jeremy earned a lot of respect from our football team," Billings said. "He kept getting knocked to the ground and kept getting back up."

Billings has raved about Ponder and Sanders -- both juco transfers -- the entire preseason and they didn't disappoint Saturday. Ponder caught six passes for 120 yards while Sanders had seven receptions for 70 yards, including the Indians' lone touchdown.

Despite the five sacks, Billings said the Indians' young offensive line generally held up well.

"I think they really competed well and got better as the game went on," he said. "They grew up a lot."

Of the overall performance of the offense, which generated 327 total yards, Billings said, "I was very encouraged. But the one thing we talked about, we tried three field goals. We need to get the ball in the end zone."

True freshman kicker Derek Kutz made two of those three field-goal attempts, from 23 and 27 yards.

Defensively, Billings was also plenty pleased. Last year the Indians were gashed for an average of 440 yards per game but they allowed just 350 Saturday.

"We're a much improved defensive team everywhere," he said.

Linebacker Corey Mathis earned Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors after recording three tackles for loss and a sack.

After the coaches reviewed game film, juco transfer safety Prince Anderson was credited with 18 tackles while linebacker Ricky Farmer had 15. Getting 10 each were tackle James Jennette, redshirt freshman end Cal Jillson and safety Leotis Belcher.

True freshman cornerback Dimitri Patterson, who also drew raves from Billings all preseason, had the Indians' lone interception and broke up two other passes.

The Indians came out of the Eastern Michigan game relatively healthy, although defensive tackle Jermaine Motley suffered a sprained knee and is questionable for Saturday's home opener against Southern Illinois.