TUSSLE ON THE SIXTH RUNG

This might not be a vintage Middle Tennessee State football team, but Southeast Missouri State University coach John Mumford warns that people shouldn't think the Blue Raiders are an easy mark.

Far from it. While on paper Southeast figures to have a decent shot at knocking off the Blue Raiders today (2 p.m. kickoff), Mumford said it will still take quite an effort to leave Murfreesboro, Tenn., with an Ohio Valley Conference victory.

"I don't think this is a typical Middle Tennessee team. They graduated a lot of players from last year and they're young," said Mumford. "But they're still a dangerous team. It's a game where, if we go down there and play well, we should have a good shot at winning. But if we don't play well, it could be a long day."

Today's game will match two teams trying to keep their heads above water both overall and in the OVC standings. Each squad is 2-4 overall and 1-3 in OVC play, which puts them tied for sixth in the eight-team league.

"We've got five games left and I think we have the opportunity to finish the season strong," said Mumford. "It's got to start for us at Middle Tennessee."

Led by veteran coach Boots Donnelly (133-79-1 in his 19th season at MTSU), the Raiders were one of the nation's premier Division I-AA teams for most of the 1980s and early 1990s.

But last year MTSU slumped to 6-5 overall and just 4-4 in OVC play. And this season, with just four games left, the Raiders are in danger of finishing with a losing record for only the second time in the past 17 years.

And that doesn't bode well for an MTSU program that plans to make the major jump up to the Division I-A level by the end of this decade.

"I don't think overall they're as talented as they have been, especially on the lines, because they're very young there," Mumford said. "But their skill people are still extremely talented. They've got a lot of dangerous weapons."

The Raiders' two tailbacks, Lebrian McGill and Kelverick Green, rank among the OVC's top 10 rushers, with 382 and 370 yards, respectively. Green averages an eye-popping seven yards per carry.

MTSU quarterback Jonathan Quinn is first in the OVC in total offense (250.2 yards per game) and he ranks fourth in the league in passing efficiency. Quinn has completed 115 of 198 passes (58 percent) for 1,396 yards, with six touchdowns and six interceptions.

Quinn's favorite targets have been tight end Gary Davis (24 receptions) and wide out Matt Lowe (22). Both average better than 15 yards per catch.

"They really throw the ball well and they have explosive running backs," said Mumford. "Their backs are fast and they hit the hole hard. They're probably the closest thing we'll see to Eastern Illinois' two running backs."

While the Raiders have been fine offensively, averaging 375 yards per game to rank fourth in the OVC in total offense, their defense has resembled a sieve.

MTSU ranks last in OVC total defense -- yes, even behind hapless Tennessee-Martin -- by allowing an average of 448 yards per game. The Raiders are giving up 197 yards a game on the ground to rate seventh in the league.

"They are very aggressive on defense with good linebackers and defensive backs, but they have had problems stopping people," acknowledged Mumford.

While the Raiders are lagging defensively, the Indians are thriving. They're third in the OVC in total defense (274 yards per game) and third in rushing defense (94 yards per game).

Mumford is confident that his defense will continue to play well. And if the offense can pick up where it left off in the second half against Tennessee Tech (a 17-14 loss two weeks ago), then he likes his team's chances.

"We need to put together some good drives and get the ball in the end zone," he said.

Last year the Indians picked up their first-ever win over the Raiders after seven losses with a 16-13 overtime triumph at Houck Stadium.

Southeast rallied from a 13-0 fourth-quarter deficit to force overtime, then won it on Eric Warren's 38-yard field goal.

SEMO at Middle Tennessee

Probable Starters

SEMO Offense

TE - Mitch Fryer 6-2 240 Jr.

LT - Ian Walters 6-3 280 So.

LG - James Williams 6-2 275 Jr.

C - Chris Kiefer 6-3 270 So.

RG - Jessie Eaton 6-3 320 Jr.

RT - Dan Clauss 6-4 250 Jr.

WR - Leslie Weaver 5-10 190 Fr.

WR - Dante Bryant 6-1 190 Jr.

QB - Justin Martini 6-1 205 Sr.

FB - Britt Mirgaux 6-1 228 Jr.

TB - Aaron Layne 6-0 195 Sr.

PK - Eric Warren 5-7 190 Sr.

SEMO Defense

DL - Angel Rubio 6-3 290 Sr.

DL - Troy Baglio 6-1 280 Jr.

DL - Damon Hendrick 6-5 260 Sr.

DL - Marcus McClellan 6-3 250 Jr.

LB - Gabe Jenkins 6-0 230 Jr.

LB - Zuri Buchanan 6-0 240 So.

LB - Chris Justice 6-2 235 So.

CB - Fred Hambrick 5-10 180 Jr.

CB - Willie Davis 5-11 190 Sr.

FS - Michael Reece 6-1 200 Sr.

SS - Ronnie Smith 5-9 195 Sr.

P - Justin Terrill 6-2 185 Sr.

MT Defense

DL - Jacob Sorrells 6-3 240 Jr.

DL - Mal Waldrep 6-3 251 So.

DL - Martez Phelps 6-2 294 Fr.

DL - Jeff Thomas 6-2 262 So.

LB - Kenrick Whitehead 6-0 179 Fr.

LB - Clay Griffin 6-1 220 So.

LB - Keith Pauldo 5-11 244 Fr.

LB - Terrell Neismith 6-1 220 Jr.

CB - Cedric Stegall 5-9 185 Jr.

CB - Keith Dollar 5-10 180 Fr.

FS - Charlie Walker 5-10 185 So.

P - Brandon Thomas 6-0 190 Sr.

MT Offense

TE - Gary Davis 6-2 207 Jr.

LT - Kevin Richer 6-5 300 So.

LG - Andrew McDonald 6-2 285 Sr.

C - Matt Norwood 6-1 270 Jr.

RG - Konrad Kaul 6-5 265 So.

RT - Barry Hall 6-6 280 So.

WR - Tri Heard 5-10 175 Jr.

WR - Matt Lowe 6-0 170 Jr.

QB - Jonathan Quinn 6-6 230 Sr.

FB - Jermaine Wilson 6-0 185 Sr.

TB - Lebrian McGill 5-6 180 So.

PK - Keegan Ray 6-2 186 So.