Daniel will miss rest of season

Injuries continue to hammer severe blows on Southeast Missouri State University's football team.

The latest casualty is senior offensive tackle Caleb Daniel, who will miss the final four games of the season --including Saturday's homecoming contest against Tennessee-Martin -- with a neck injury.

"When it rains it pours, and it's been pouring all year," Southeast coach Tim Billings said, referring to his squad's injuries this season.

Daniel, a graduate of Jackson High School, was in his first season as an offensive line starter after playing defensive tackle his first three years at Southeast.

According to Billings, Daniel had been bothered by a bulging disc much of the season, but he had been playing through it. Daniel hurt the neck again Saturday during a loss at Murray State, and earlier this week the decision was made by team medical officials to shut Daniel down for the remainder of his college career.

"Caleb already had a bad neck, and it's kind of been getting worse," Billings said. "We thought he could make it through the season, but he hurt it again at Murray State. He had one bulging disc and he started to get another one, so they just felt it was too dangerous to play.

"It's a shame for Caleb. For his first year playing offensive tackle, he did a real good job. He hadn't been practicing much during the week anyway because of the injury, but he was playing well."

More than a dozen key Southeast players have missed significant time with injuries or have played with injuries this season, including several who are out for the year. While not making excuses, Billings believes that has been a major factor in his team's 1-6 overall record and 1-3 Ohio Valley Conference mark.

"This has been the most unbelievable season with injuries I've ever had as a coach," Billings said. "We've probably had three years worth of injuries in one season."

Billings said that sophomore center John Ball will probably move to tackle in place of Daniel, with junior walk-on Dave Minner filling in at center.

Southeast's offensive line had already been depleted in recent weeks, as all-conference senior tackle Dan Connolly and sophomore guard Austin Russell have missed time with injuries.

"Our offense has kind of struggled the last two weeks, and the offensive line has a lot to do with it," Billings said. "That's the type of position, it's important to play together a lot. It has to be a cohesive unit."

Noteworthy

Southeast freshman student and recording artist Murphy Lee is scheduled to make the coin toss prior to Saturday's game. The St. Louis native has gained fame working with fellow St. Louis native Nelly and the St. Lunatics.