Sophomore McDowell, if healthy, has a lock on the QB position

Southeast Missourian

A position-by-position look at Southeast Missouri State University's offense:

Quarterback

Despite battling knee and shoulder injuries, Jeromy McDowell turned in a record-setting season as a redshirt freshman last year. He passed for 2,051 yards -- the most ever by a Southeast freshman quarterback -- while completing 56 percent of his attempts, with 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

McDowell had offseason knee and shoulder surgery. Despite still being bothered by a weak shoulder for much of the preseason, he was confident he would be full strength by the start of the season, although it was likely he would see limited action in the opener against Division II Arkansas-Monticello.

With McDowell missing spring drills because of his surgeries, backups Jack Tomco and Jeff East received extensive work and should be ready to go if McDowell experiences health problems.

Tomco, a junior, threw for 2,100 yards and 16 touchdowns last season at Scottsdale (Ariz.) Community College. East, a redshirt freshman, is a scrambler who has, by far, the best overall athletic ability of the three quarterbacks.

"Jeromy had a great freshman season and we look for him to keep getting better," Southeast offensive coordinator Russ Martin said. "We also have a lot of confidence in Jack and Jeff. We feel like we have three very good quarterbacks."

Running back

The Indians do not have a proven running back after electrifying 1,000-yard rusher Curtis Cooper completed his eligibility last season.

Southeast does return two backs in senior Iven Brown and sophomore Corey Kinsey, who have both been plagued by injuries but have shown plenty of promise when healthy.

Brown, the team's fastest running back, rushed for 153 yards last season and averaged 8.1 yards per carry. Kinsey added 55 yards.

Seriously bolstering this position is senior Keiki Misipeka, a transfer from Hawaii who opened plenty of eyes in the preseason with his bruising running style.

Wide receiver

The Indians appear to have quality but a lack of depth at this position, although coach Tim Billings was encouraged enough during preseason practice to say that he thinks this unit will be even better than last year's despite losing second-leading receiver Adrian Sanders to academic ineligibility.

Due to other academic problems and defections, the Indians have just four scholarship receivers, led by record-setting senior Willie Ponder, who turned in one of the best overall seasons by a wide out in school history last year.

A Division I-AA All-American, Ponder led the Ohio Valley Conference in every receiving category as he caught 70 passes for 1,090 yards and 11 touchdowns in making first-team all-OVC.

Senior Tarik Simpson had a solid season in 2001 with 28 receptions for 366 yards and three touchdowns.

Sophomore Chris NesSmith, who redshirted last year but showed plenty of promise as a true freshman in 2000 despite seeing action in just one game, is slated to start at the third wide receiver slot.

Redshirt Bill Coleman is the final scholarship wide out, but walk-on Brandon Amick from Scott City High School was a big surprise during the preseason and true freshman Jamel Oliver, a converted running back, has plenty of speed. That trio will be counted on to provide depth behind the starters.

Tight end

Sophomore Ray Goodson (Jackson) and junior Chuck McElroy split starting duties last season and caught eight and three passes, respectively.

Along with junior-college transfer Graham Goodfield, the Indians hope to use the trio's receiving talents more this season. The versatile Goodson also is likely to play fullback in certain formations and can also split out as a wide receiver.

Offensive line

A year ago, Billings said this unit -- featuring several true freshmen starters -- was the Indians' biggest preseason question mark. Now, he believes it is the squad's biggest strength.

Returning starters are junior guard Eugene Amano, junior tackle Justen Meyer, sophomore guard Dan Bieg and sophomore tackle Dan Connolly. Amano and Connolly both were second-team all-OVC last year. Junior-college transfer Amos Misilao and junior Eric Krauss, a Marshall transfer who can play several positions, were battling for the center position. The line averages close to 305 pounds per man.

Adding depth to the line is returning sophomore Taurean Robinson.

Kicker

Local sophomores Derek Kutz (St. Vincent) and Brian Emmendorfer (Central) return to once again team up at this spot, with Kutz handling placements and Emmendorfer kickoffs.

Kutz had an impressive season as a true freshman last year, making seven of eight field-goal attempts -- with a long of 45 yards -- and converting 30 of 32 extra points.

mmishow@semissourian.com

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