Indians face tough road challenge at Tenn. Tech

When Southeast Missouri State University football coach Tim Billings looks at Tennessee Tech, he sees a typical Golden Eagles squad -- but perhaps with just a bit of a twist.

According to Billings, while the 2001 Eagles feature their customary stout defense, their offense appears to have a bit more firepower than in recent years.

And all that, figures Billings, should present the Indians with a rugged challenge today as the squads square off in an Ohio Valley Conference contest at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn.

"Their offense has been better this year than in the past," Billings said. "They've got an older quarterback, an older offensive line. They haven't been a real explosive offense in the past, but I feel like they're a little better now.

"Defensively, they look about like last year. They're always going to play good, solid defense."

Southeast (3-5 overall, 1-3 OVC) and Tech (3-3, 1-2) are teams that have both had their ups and downs this season and they are both seeking to finish the campaign strong.

The Indians, in their second year of Billings' rebuilding project, split their first six games and could have very easily won them all as they lost to Eastern Michigan, Southwest Missouri and Tennessee State by a combined 13 points.

Over the last two weeks, the Indians have not been as close. They suffered a 12-0 loss in the mud at Eastern Illinois two weeks ago and last Saturday fell to Murray State 45-35 at home.

"Our record could be much better than it is," acknowledged Billings. "We've played well at times, but we have to be able to make the plays when the game is on the line."

Tech, like Southeast, has not won more than one game in a row this year, but the Eagles have also not lost more than once consecutively. They have been very good at home but very bad on the road. Tech is 3-0 at Tucker Stadium and 0-3 away from Cookeville.

Last Saturday, the Eagles were tied with host Eastern Kentucky 10-10 at halftime but the Colonels dominated the second half to win 34-10.

Entering the season, the Eagles were expecting big things after they went 8-3 last year for their best record since 1993. And with 10 offensive and six defensive starters returning off a squad that placed third in the OVC with a 5-2 record, Tech was picked to finish second in the league.

But the Eagles have already lost to OVC heavyweights Eastern Illinois and Eastern Kentucky -- although they did beat Murray State -- to all but be eliminated from the league title chase. However, Tech could still make a push for a high conference finish.

"I know both teams would like to finish the season strong," Billings said. "We have three games left and if we win them all we finish with a winning record. That's our goal right now."

Quarterback Grant Swallows directs a Tech offense that last year posted the second-highest point total in school history. The Eagles have not been as consistent on offense so far this year, but they did burn a stout Eastern Illinois defense for 33 points during a loss.

Swallows has thrown for 1,216 yards while completing 58.6 percent of his attempts, but he has been intercepted nine times to go with six touchdowns.

Tech's leading receiver is Derek Lee, who averages 15.7 yards on his 19 catches. Anton Thompson and Tedarrell Scott both have 14 receptions.

A balanced Tech ground attack is led by Oscar Bonds (286 yards, 5.2 per carry) and Travis Rogers (275, 4.0).

Defensively, the Eagles have been hurt by the loss of 2000 OVC Defensive Player of the Year Chad Evitts, a linebacker who completed his eligibility, but they are still solid. End D.J. Bleisath leads the way with a conference-best 13 tackles for loss.

"They're a well coached team that won't beat themselves. We'll have to beat them," Billings said. "It's another big challenge for us, but I really believe if we go there and play well, we'll have an opportunity to win the football game."