On December 23, 1999, Coach Tim Billings left his position as defensive coordinator at Marshall University to take the head position at Southeast Missouri State. Marshall had just completed an undefeated season and were ranked 10th nationally in Division I. Billings was prepared to bring his "basketball on grass" spread offense and tough defensive sets to Cape Girardeau in hopes of improving a football team that had only two winnings season throughout the entire decade of the 1990's. Coach Billings was not use to losing and Southeast football fans were ready for his style to guide the Indians on the field.
As the 2000 season opened, Coach Billings would return to Huntington, West Virginia and face his former team. The Thundering Herd would bring the nation's longest home winning streak to the game and would not allow Southeast to stop it. Although a Rashad West to Leslie Weaver touchdown briefly tied the score at seven apiece, Southeast would eventually fall 63-7 to a good Marshall team.
Although they were not expected to beat Marshall, the next game was definitely winnable. The Indians traveled to Carbondale to tackle a Southern Illinois team that had generally failed to live up to expectations in previous years. However, during the first half, SIU would look like a champion as they opened up a 31-0 lead over Southeast. Using a half-time rainstorm as a sign from above, the Indians marched out in the second half and executed its spread offense to perfection in topping SIU 34-33.
There was no time to celebrate, however, as nationally ranked Illinois State was coming to town. The game was a tough fought battle that went back until special teams and defense helped the Indians pull ahead. An Isaac Huddleston 46-yard interception return, a Rodney Woodall 80-yard fumble recovery, a Curtis Cooper 55-yard run off a fake punt and a goal line defensive stand at the end of the game helped Southeast pull the 28-25 upset over Illinois State and push its record to 2-1.
Eventually Ohio Valley Conference Champion Western Kentucky was the next opponent at Houck Stadium and the game, like many others this season, was close for a while. Down only 17-14 entering the fourth quarter, the Indians defense would wilt against the tenacious pounding on the Western running game. The Racers would finish the game with 354 rushing yards and a 38-14 victory over Southeast.
A trip to Richmond, Kentucky for a date with Eastern Kentucky loomed next and the Southeast offense would wilt this time. Despite leading scoring 17 points and leading by three in the second quarter, Eastern would take over with yet another powerful rushing game. The Colonels defense would only allow 68 rushing yards while racking up over 400 yards on the ground. For Eastern, Corey Crume ran for a season-high 196 yards and Maurice Clark would add 119 as Southeast fell below .500 at 2-3.
The trip to Tennessee Tech would produce yet another defeat. Although the final score was 31-6, again Southeast was in the game late. However, Tech would produce 17 fourth quarter points to put another loss on the Indians.
The third home game of the season was another almost win for Southeast, as they were virtually deadlocked in every statistically category with Murray State. However, the final score was 38-28 and big plays in the game locked up the game late in the fourth quarter.
The final home game of the season brought Tennessee-Martin to town. Usually the cellar dweller in the OVC, Martin hung tough most of the game. Right before halftime Martin scored its first passing touchdown of the year to pull within seven at 21-14. This time, however, Southeast would get the bounces it needed and score twice more to win its first OVC game of the year, 34-14.
The Indians were now faced with three consecutive road games to close the season. Eastern Illinois, who qualified for an at-large bid in the Division I-AA playoffs, was a tough opponent. As many opponents had done all season, they found a way to easily run all over the Indian defense. Even without its star running back in the game, Eastern had two runners, J.R. Taylor (147) and Andre Raymond (146) run for over 100 yards. Southeast was held to only 70-yards on the ground and coughed up some costly fumbles that would lead to a 38-9 loss.
The Southwest Missouri game would be very similar to the Eastern Illinois game. Running back Jason Ringena almost broke the school record for rushing yards in a game with a 222-yard performance and Southeast would tumble to 2-8 in a 24-7 loss.
The season finale at Aldelphia Coliseum in Nashville, saw Tennessee State and Southeast combine for 84 points in a shootout. Unfortunately, Southeast would once again come out on the short end of the stick, losing 51-33 to close the season at 3-8, 1-6 in the OVC.
So the first season ended with a disappointing record. However, with a program that is rebuilding it takes time to win. While there are areas that Southeast will need to improve on there are other areas that will be positive points of emphasis for next.
First the negative. The Southeast run defense was pitiful this season. Overall, Southeast opponents out-rushed the Indians 2950 to 985. And in eight games this season, the opponent's top rusher out rushed the entire Southeast team. Too often this season, the opponent's rusher had a "career day" and when that happens any team will be difficult to beat. Another area of defense that will need help is the secondary. Starting safeties Joe Williams and Isaac Powell were ranked first and third respectively in tackles in the OVC this season. Southeast will need someone to step up and produce tackling like that next season. Also starting punter and place kicker Jason Witczak is graduating and will leave a whole on the special teams unit.
However, the positives are abundant. The top newcomer on defense, linebacker Ricky Farmer made an impressive, yet short stint this season. Un-redshirted due to injuries, Farmer played in four games and recorded 55 tackles before suffering an injury of his own. Farmer will return next season and should be the leader of the Southeast defense. Corey Mathis is another defensive standout that should help lead the Indians next season. Mathis ranked nationally in tackles for loss this season, recording 19 for a total of 58 yards. He also recorded seven sacks and 97 total tackles.
The offensive side of the ball also has several key returnees. Of course, quarterbacks Bobby Brune and Rashad West will both return for their senior seasons. Both players split time this season, which caused some controversy. Added to the mix next year will be redshirt Jeremy McDowell who broke several Missouri High School passing records last season. At running back, the Indians will be deeper and more experienced. Leading rusher Marcus Patton will return for his sophomore season along with Iven Brown, Mark Blissett and Byron White. And although Leslie Weaver and Corey Chester will no longer be catching passes, Curtis Cooper will be the top receiver returning. Cooper caught 30 passes this season and was also ranked nationally in punt returns and kickoff returns. Although Cooper only had two touchdowns this season, both were dramatic. He took a fake punt 55 yards for one score and a punt return 66 yards for another score. Southeast's ability to get the ball in his hands will determine how successful they will be offensively next season.
Coach Billings, although disappointed in the win total this season, thinks his team is headed in the right direction. "We were in almost every game this season in the fourth quarter. However, we didn't get the bounces we needed at the crucial times. It was the same old story game-after-game," Billings said. "Although I hate to lose, I think we have the makings of a good team. We just need more skilled players at every position. Every team that beat us this season had at least one or two players that were superstars and better than our position players. However, I guarantee that my staff and I will be working as hard as we can to take this program in the right direction and win if the fans stay behind us."
Southeast will kick off the 2001 season on September 1, at Eastern Michigan University.
