The Indians open their conference schedule Saturday at Samford.

As far as Southeast Missouri State University's football team is concerned, the season begins this week.

After finishing their non-league schedule with an 0-4 record, the Indians figure that's about the only way to look at things. They open Ohio Valley Conference play Saturday against Samford (2-1) in Birmingham, Ala.

"It's a new season for us now," said tailback David Taufoou, the OVC's newcomer of the week after rushing for 107 yards during Saturday's 17-10 home loss to Southwest Missouri State.

Said wide receiver Brandon Amick, "We have to get it going this week, when it counts."

Speaking at his weekly media conference Monday morning, Southeast coach Tim Billings had similar thoughts.

"It's kind of exciting, knowing that even though you're 0-4, the slate's clean," Billings said. "I don't feel like we've lost a lot of confidence."

With no OVC team asserting itself during non-conference play, the league title appears to be there for the taking.

"I don't think anybody has a lot of momentum," Billings said. "I think it's out there for grabs."

But Billings knows that for the Indians -- the preseason OVC favorite after going 8-4 last year -- to have a shot at the league title, they must find a way to ignite their slumbering offense.

After averaging 447 yards and 34.7 points per game last season, Southeast averages just 5.8 points and 302.5 yards a contest this year despite returning nine offensive starters. The Indians have scored only 23 points -- including two touchdowns -- in four games.

"We have to start putting the ball in the end zone," Billings said.

Especially frustrating for the Indians is that if their offense had performed even adequately so far, they might have a couple of wins, if not more.

That's because Southeast's defense, a problem area the past few years, has shown dramatic improvement. After allowing 29.1 points and 387.3 yards per game in 2002, the Indians are giving up 20.8 points and 319.8 yards a contest so far this year.

"The good thing is, we're playing well enough defensively to stay in games as long as we can get our offense going," Billings said.

Billings was encouraged that the Indians gained a season-high 365 yards Saturday against Southwest Missouri State and allowed a season-low 249 yards.

"There were a lot of great things when you look at film," Billings said. "We played well defensively against a good offensive team. Offensively, we moved the ball and had opportunities again in the red zone area.

"I felt good when we went down and scored early in the game, then we had problems."

After relying heavily last year on deep passes to All-American wide receiver Willie Ponder, the Indians' offense has been glaringly void of any big plays so far this season.

"We haven't had any big plays on offense," Billings said. "We need some big plays to help us out."

Without Ponder and some other deep threats from last season, the Indians have attempted few long passes this year, but Billings said that needs to change.

"We've always been a vertical passing team," Billings said. "We haven't really tried to go deep much this year, but we've talked about doing that more."

Quarterback situation

Billings said the coaching staff has not made a decision on the starting quarterback for Samford but expects to name that person in the next day or two.

Jeromy McDowell started against Southwest Missouri and completed 22 of 30 passes for 167 yards with one interception. He also started last week against Arkansas State before leaving early in the second half with an injury.

Jack Tomco started the first two games and came in late Saturday, completing four of 10 passes for 83 yards with two interceptions.

"I didn't think either one of our quarterbacks was real efficient," Billings said of Saturday's game. "But they've both done it before, and now one has to step up."

Injury update

Starting defensive backs Mike Miller and Marco Tipton have missed the last few games and remain out indefinitely with knee injuries.

Starting offensive guard Dan Bieg missed the Southwest Missouri game with a knee injury suffered against Arkansas State but should play against Samford.

Starting linebacker Michael Irving also missed the Southwest Missouri game with a knee injury suffered against Arkansas State and should play Saturday.

Backup offensive guard Eric Krauss injured a leg during preseason practice and has not yet played. He is probable for Saturday.

mmishow@semissourian.com

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