SE SEES VULNERABLE EASTERN KENTUCKY TEAM RIPE FOR UPSET

If Southeast Missouri State University's football Indians are ever going to knock off Eastern Kentucky, today might be as good a chance as any.

Entering this season, the mighty Colonels -- who have dominated Ohio Valley Conference football over the years -- had lost just nine home games in the previous 12 campaigns.

But this year the Colonels have already lost twice at home -- and appear to be headed for one of their worst OVC finishes ever.

Southeast, which has lost all eight previous games against EKU, willattempt to break that streak when the teams square off in a 12:30 p.m. kickoff at Roy Kidd Stadium in Richmond, Ky.

"Eastern Kentucky is probably as vulnerable as they've been in a long time, maybe ever," said Southeast coach John Mumford. "They still have a good football team and they're going to be tough to beat in Richmond.

"But I think, if we go down there and play a solid game, avoid mistakes and come up with big plays at key times, we have a chance to come back with a victory."

The Colonels, who will not make the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs for only the second time in the past 12 years, are 4-4 overall and 2-3 in OVC play, which puts them fifth in the eight-team league.

Southeast is 3-6 overall and 2-4 in the OVC, which has them tied for sixth with Tennessee Tech.

The Indians are coming off a tough 21-19 home loss to Middle Tennessee that saw the Indians fall just short on a two-point conversion attempt in the late going.

"That was an extremely tough loss for our team," Mumford said. "It's been frustrating, because we've had several games like that where we've played good football but have come up just short.

"But this group of young men has played through a lot of adversity and I know they'll bounce back with another good performance."

The Colonels have plenty of offensive weapons that the Indians will have to concentrate on, led by their outstanding combination of junior quarterback Jon Denton and senior wide receiver Rondel Menendez.

Denton, who set numerous NCAA records at Nevada-Las Vegas before running into problems and transferring to EKU, is the OVC's top-rated passer.

Considered a legitimate NFL prospect, Denton has completed 97 of 168 passes (58 percent) for 1,465 yards and 16 touchdowns. He has thrown just three interceptions.

Menendez, one of the OVC's fastest players with a 4.24-second 40-yard dash time, leads the league receiving yards per game. He's caught 36 passes for 669 yards and seven touchdowns despite missing two games.

"Denton has a very strong arm and Menendez is a dangerous receiver," Mumford said. "But they still like to run the ball, like they always have. We'll have to stop the run and keep Menendez from coming up with big plays."

For Southeast, redshirt freshman quarterback Bobby Brune has been impressive since moving into the starting lineup several games ago.

The former Cape Girardeau Central High standout has completed 72 of 112 passes (64 percent) for 870 yards and five touchdowns. He has been intercepted six times.

"Bobby continues to do a very good job," said Mumford.

Senior wide receiver Dante Bryant leads the Indians with 38 catches while sophomores Leslie Weaver and Corey Chester are next with 24 and 19, respectively. Senior tight end Mitch Fryer has 17 receptions.

Senior tailback Corey Williams leads the running game with 543 yards despite missing virtually three games with a dislocated elbow. Williams is the OVC's top scorer with 11 touchdowns.

Following today's game, the Indians will close out the season next Saturday against Southern Illinois in Carbondale.

SEMO at Eastern Kentucky

When: Today, 12:30 p.m.

Where: Roy Kidd Stadium, Richmond, Ky.

Records: SEMO 3-6, 2-4 OVC; EKU 4-4, 2-3 OVC

1997 records: SEMO 4-7; EKU 8-4

Last Week: SEMO lost to Middle Tennessee 21-19; EKU beat Tennessee-Martin 47-29

Coaches: John Mumford (SEMO) 37-60, 9th year; Roy Kidd (EKU) 284-107-8, 35th year

Series record: EKU leads 8-0

Last meeting: EKU won 20-10 in 1997

Radio: K103-FM

SEMO at Eastern Kentucky

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 - Jessie Eaton 6-3 320 Sr.

RT - Carlos DeJesus 6-3 300 Sr.

WR - Corey Chester 5-11 175 So.

WR - Dante Bryant 6-1 190 Sr.

QB - Bobby Brune 6-4 205 Fr.

FB - Broderick Benson 5-10 215 Jr.

TB - Corey Williams 6-2 215 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 - Jason DeWolf 6-3 250 Fr.

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 - Isaac Powell 6-1 180 So.

SS - John Smith 6-1 190 Jr.

P - Justin Keen 6-5 180 Fr.

EKU Defense

DL - Shorty Combs 6-1 235 So.

DL - Justin Ernest 6-3 271 Sr.

DL - Jason Muchow 6-0 303 Jr.

DL - Terry Thomas 6-1 250 Jr.

LB - Charles Tinsley 6-0 213 Sr.

LB - Brad Folke 5-11 233 Jr.

LB - Butch Printup 6-0 207 So.

CB - Tony Woods 5-10 180 Sr.

CB - Dedric Campbell 5-8 168 Sr.

FS - Shawn Gallant 6-0 200 Jr.

SS - Nick Sullivan 6-2 214 Fr.

P - Stephen Brown 5-10 210 Sr.

EKU Offense

TE - Tom Mabey 6-1 235 So.

LT - Tyrone Hopson 6-3 309 Sr.

LG - Josh Hunter 6-2 280 Jr.

C - Toby Coyle 6-1 271 Jr.

RG - Brett O'Buck 6-3 270 So.

RT - Eliott Henderson 6-3 300 Sr.

WR - Rondel Menendez 5-9 178 Sr.

WR - Brian Brenneman 6-0 195 Sr.

QB - Jon Denton 6-3 210 Jr.

FB - Jonathan Butler 5-9 220 Jr.

TB - Brian Durham 5-9 191 So.

K - Stephen Brown 5-10 210 Sr.