SE FOOTBALL OPENS SEASON WITH TRUMAN

Even though Truman State has been decimated by graduation and figures to be a decided underdog against Southeast Missouri State University tonight, Bulldogs' head coach John Ware says his football team is not simply coming to Cape Girardeau to serve as opening-game fodder for the Indians.

Sure, admits Ware, the Division I-AA Indians should have more talent than the Division II Bulldogs when the squads hit the Houck Stadium field for the 7 o'clock kickoff.

But that doesn't mean Truman State can't give the Indians a serious battle -- and maybe even squeeze out an upset victory in the process.

"There's no doubt, we have trouble with I-AA teams, but we never go into a game thinking we can't win," said Ware. "I know it's going to be a tough game and I know we're underdogs. But if we play well, I think we have a shot."

Ware, in his fourth season as head coach of the Bulldogs, has helped Truman continue a solid tradition that has seen the program compile just one losing record this decade. And that's something that concerns Southeast coach John Mumford.

"They've built up quite a tradition and they've got an excellent football program," Mumford said. "Even though they're Division II, I don't think people should be fooled. They're a solid football team."

What concerns Ware the most is that Truman lost 16 starters from last year's 6-4 squad, meaning the Bulldogs are extremely inexperienced. But Ware believes they still have quite a bit of talent.

"I believe we're talented. It's just a question of what is more important, talent or experience," he said.

The Bulldogs are particularly inexperienced offensively as they lost 10 starters from that side of the ball. But the lone returning regular is a dandy: senior center Spencer Stevens, a 330-pounder who has been listed on some preseason Division II All-American teams.

"He's really a good one," Ware said. "He's the strongest kid we've ever had. He benches 535 and squats over 800. He's definitely one of the best in the country on our level."

Taking over at quarterback for the Bulldogs is Moni Fearn, a 6-foot-1, 176-pound junior who has attempted only three passes in his Truman career. But Ware likes what Fearn brings to the team.

"I think he'll add a new dimension to our offense," said Ware. "He's much more athletic than what we've had. We'll probably run him a lot more."

The receivers Fearn will be throwing to combined for just two catches last season.

But Truman does have some experience in the backfield. Even though the Bulldogs lost a 1,000-yard rusher, tailback Deric Johnson gained 415 yards last year while fullback Bret Yoder added 194 yards.

Defensively, the Bulldogs are led by senior cornerback Tommy Hernandez who, like Stevens, earned all-conference honors last season. Another defender to watch, according to Ware, is end Leo Smith, who led the 1997 team with five quarterback sacks.

Truman returns both its specialists in kicker Jeff Klee (eight of 11 in field goals last year) and punter Kevin Hollinger (40-yard average).

Southeast's offense will be directed by senior quarterback Jeff Shaw, who saw action the last part of the '97 season after being moved from wide receiver.

All of Southeast's top ground gainers return, led by fullback Britt Mirgaux, who had a team-high 492 yards last season. Corey Williams and K.D. Koleosho both had more than 300 yards while Riki Smith gained nearly 200 yards.

Every Southeast player who caught a pass last season is also back, led by Dante Bryant with 43 receptions for 599 yards.

"I'm impressed by their athleticism and their defensive ability to swarm the ball," said Ware of the Indians. "They had to rebuild on defense but they still look to be solid."

Mumford figures that the Bulldogs' losing all those starters from last year will be offset by the fact they are so fundamentally sound.

"They have a lot of new faces, but you can tell from last year's film how well coached they are," he said. "They have a very mobile quarterback. It's going to be critical we contain him.

"Any time you play down a division, it's a scary game. They would like nothing better than to knock off a I-AA team."

Truman St. at SEMO

7 p.m., Houck Stadium

Records: SEMO 0-0, Truman 0-0

1997 records: SEMO 4-7, Truman 6-4

Coaches: John Mumford (SEMO) 34-54, 9th year; John Ware (Truman) 19-13, 4th year

Series record: Truman leads 41-22-2

Last meeting: Truman won 26-7 in 1990

Radio: K103-FM

Truman State at SEMO

Probable Starters

SEMO Offense

TE - Mitch Fryer 6-2 240 Sr.

LT - Ian Walters 6-3 280 Jr.

LG - James Williams 6-2 275 Sr.

C - Chris Kiefer 6-3 270 Jr.

RG - Chad King 6-3 275 Jr.

RT - Carlos DeJesus 6-3 300 Sr.

WR - Leslie Weaver 5-10 185 So.

WR - Marcus McKinley 5-10 185 Sr.

QB - Jeff Shaw 6-2 205 Sr.

FB - Britt Mirgaux 6-1 228 Sr.

TB - Corey Williams 5-11 215 Sr.

PK - Nick Reggio 5-10 175 Jr.

SEMO Defense

DL - Troy Baglio 6-1 280 Sr.

DL - Marcus McClellan 6-3 250 Sr.

DL - Daren Keely 6-4 290 Jr.

DL - Brad Richardson 6-2 255 Jr.

LB - Gabe Jenkins 6-0 230 Sr.

LB - David Bowling 6-0 210 Jr.

LB - Kevin Meachem 6-2 215 Sr.

CB - Fred Hambrick 5-10 185 Sr.

CB - Brian Hinton 5-10 180 Jr.

FS - Joe Williams 5-11 200 So.

SS - John Smith 6-1 190 Jr.

P - Justin Keen 6-5 180 Fr.

TSU Defense

DL - Taylor Cates 6-1 235 Jr.

DL - Curt Cira 6-3 268 So.

DL - Ethan Owens 6-2 267 So.

DL - Leo Smith 6-3 242 So.

LB - Jason Janusz 6-0, 242 Jr.

LB - Kurt Henricksen 6-1 232 Sr.

LB - Jason Chambers 5-10 204 Jr.

CB - Ramon Christopher 5-11 193 Jr.

CB - Tommy Hernandez 5-11 187 Sr.

FS - Jimmy Blackmore 6-0 210 Jr.

SS - John Naeve 6-0 193 So.

P - Kevin Hollinger 6-2 189 Jr.

TSU Offense

TE - Todd Wolfe 6-4 249 Jr.

LT - Mike Wishon 6-2 270 Jr.

LG - Ben Slentz 5-11 279 Sr.

C - Spenver Stevens 6-0 330 Sr.

RG - Ben Gray 6-2 265 Jr.

RT - Mark McAdams 6-2 272 Jr.

WR - Tim Bussen 6-0 192 Jr.

WR - Kirby DeMoss 5-10 176 So.

QB - Moni Fearn 6-1 176 Jr.

FB - Bret Yoder 6-1 236 Sr.

TB - Deric Johnson 5-9 175 Jr.

PK - Jeff Klee 6-2 201 Jr.