INDIANS STILL AUDITION CHIEFS TO LEAD EXPERIENCED OFFENSE

Southeast Missouri State University football coach John Mumford believes the Indians can be a much improved team this season.

And a great deal of that optimism is based on an offense that returns nine starters from a unit that came on strong toward the end of last year.

"I thought we really came on the second half of last season as a pretty good offensive football team and we've definitely got the people back to continue that," said Mumford. "We've got experience and quality at just about every (offensive) position."

The biggest concern offensively is at quarterback, where Jeff Shaw -- the most experienced of an inexperienced group -- entered fall practice as the starter.

Shaw, a converted wide receiver but a quarterback in high school, made the switch back behind center late last season. In limited playing time he completed 11 of 26 passes for 140 yards while rushing for 104 yards on 34 carries.

Mumford expects several players to make a push for the quarterback job during fall workouts, including junior-college transfer Kevin Ceto and two local redshirt freshmen, Bobby Brune (Cape Central) and Mike Gross (Jackson).

"I think Jeff can do the job for us. I thought he really improved last year after getting more playing time," said Mumford. "But I think Jeff will get great competition from our other guys."

Five of last year's top six running backs return, led by fullback Britt Mirgaux (Scott City), the Indians' leading ground gainer the past two seasons.

Mirgaux, who had knee surgery in the spring but is now nearing 100 percent, rushed for 492 yards last year as a junior.

Tailback K.D. Koleosho was second to Mirgaux last year with 375 yards while tailback Corey Williams gained 349 yards. Tailback Riki Smith added 177 yards and fullback Broderick Benson contributed 88 yards.

All of the top receivers and tight ends are back -- in fact, returnees had all 125 receptions last season -- led by wide out Dante Bryant and tight end Mitch Fryer.

Bryant made second-team all-Ohio Valley Conference last season when he caught 43 passes for 599 yards. Fryer, also second-team all-OVC a year ago after earning first-team honors the year before, caught 17 passes for 256 yards.

Wide receiver Leslie Weaver was second to Bryant in receptions last year with 23, good for 275 yards. Marcus McKinley added 16 catches for 190 yards.

John Borne also returns at tight end while several other players are competing at receiver, including local products Diandre Webb (Cape Central) and redshirt freshman Andy Dunaway (Cape Central), along with speedy newcomer Corey Chester.

The starting offensive line returns from last season, led by two honorable-mention all-OVC performers, guard Jessie Eaton and center Chris Kiefer (Perryville).

Also back up front are tackles Ian Walters and Carlos DeJesus and guard James Williams.

Those five range in size from the 270-pound Kiefer to the 320-pound Eaton. DeJesus weighs in at 300, with Walters at 280 and Williams at 275.

There are also plenty of experienced backups on the line, including part-time guard starter Chad King (Fredericktown), tackle Dan Stubinski and center Pat Sullivan. Newcomers Perry Save and Chris Evertsen add even more depth.

"Last year our line was a little shaky to start out but I think they really came together as the season went on and hopefully that will be a strength of ours this season," Mumford said.

Last year's top placekicker and the team's leading scorer, Eric Warren (Perryville), used up his eligibility, but ready to step in is Nick Reggio, who has handled kickoffs the past two seasons.