In general, Southeast Missouri State University will field an extremely young football team this year, with only a handful of senior starters and a host of true freshmen slated to see extensive action.

But at no position are the Indians younger than along the offensive line, a spot where most pups rarely see action. The Indians currently have three true freshmen and a pair of sophomores listed among their five starters.

"I have no doubt we're the youngest offensive line in the nation," said Southeast assistant Mike Chavez, who coaches that youthful group.

But Chavez isn't complaining, nor is Southeast second-year head coach Tim Billings. Despite the youth of the front wall, they say the line is far superior to what the Indians had last season as Billings and his new staff took over the program.

"Right now, we're better than at any time last year," said Chavez.

Of course, with youth comes inconsistency, as a laughing Chavez was quick to point out.

"We're up and down, which is expected with a young group. Some days we look real good and others we act real young," he said. "We just have to get the young guys to learn to keep their intensity level. They know what work is, but not what real' work is."

Southeast's projected starting offensive line at this point in the preseason consists of sophomore left tackle Justen Meyer (6-feet-5, 275 pounds), sophomore left guard Eugene Amano (6-3, 295), freshman center Brett Swann (6-4, 270), freshman right guard Dan Bieg (6-4, 300) and freshman right tackle Dan Connolly (6-4, 292).

Amano broke into the starting lineup midway through last season as a true freshman and became one of the Indians' top linemen. Meyer saw action as a reserve last year.

There is a little more experiencewith two of the backups in juniors Jon Jenson (6-1, 260) and West McKee (6-5, 260), who both saw some starting action last year. But other key backups are two more big true freshman: Corey Bryant (6-4, 280) and Taurean Robinson (6-4, 300).

The fact the Indians will have so many freshmen playing key roles up front is partly because of necessity and partly because Billings believes they were all high-quality recruits.

"We didn't have many linemen coming back, so we need these guys to play right away," he said. "But we've got some real athletes up there now. These guys are not sloppy. They're big and they can all move."

Billings realizes that, even though he is certain the Indians have improved themselves considerably up front, youth is always a concern on the line of scrimmage. That's why he has said that the offensive line is one of the major question marks -- and keys -- entering the 2001 season that begins Sept. 1 at Division I-A Eastern Michigan.

"You always worry about youth and maturity at that position because strength is so important," Billings said. "These guys are going to be really good. It's just a matter of how quick."

Chavez knows plenty of eyes will be on his stout young men up front. He doesn't disagree that his group should probably be labeled as the biggest question mark going into the season. But he also doesn't want to use youth as an excuse.

"You have to say it's fair, since we have so many young kids, to be looked at as a question mark, but I think they take it as a challenge, like they've got something to prove," he said. "We told them that when camp starts, we won't refer to them as freshmen anymore."

* Southeast will have its final full-squad scrimmage of the preseason Saturday at 3 p.m. at Houck Stadium. Officials will be used, making for as close of a game-type situation as possible.

The Indians' first scrimmage Tuesday was highlighted by a strong offensive showing.

"I thought the offense looked really good," Billings said. "We were really sharp. We didn't have any turnovers."