Gameday Information

Stadium: Memorial Stadium (12,764)

TV: WFXW Fox Ch. 38

    Play-by-Play: Jason Pensky

    Analyst: Pete Emmert

Sycamore Radio: ESPN Radio AM 1130 & 1300

    Play-by-Play: Brian Fritz

    Analyst: Brent Holl

Series Information:

    Series Record: Series Tied 3-3

    Last Meeting: ISU 10, SEMO 13 (9/15/07)

    Last ISU Win: ISU 34, SEMO 13 (10/16/99)

    Current Streak:  SEMO Won In 2007

Setting The Stage

After playing three road games to the start the season, Indiana State will finally play its 2008 home opener at Memorial Stadium today against Southeast Missouri State.  The Sycamores have struggled to start the season against two FBS opponents and nationally-ranked Eastern Illinois, but they are hoping to turn the tide in front of their home fans today.  ISU and SEMO met last year in Cape Girardeau, Mo., with the Redhawks slipping away with a 13-10 win over the Sycamores to even the all-time series at 3-3.   Today's game will also mark the home debut for new head coach Trent Miles, an ISU graduate and Terre Haute native.

An Indiana State Win Over SEMO Would ...

* Snap the Sycamores' 17-game losing streak, dating back to a 28-22 Homecoming victory over Missouri Valley Football Conference rival Missouri State in 2006.

* Give Indiana State its first home win since 2006,  when the Sycamores defeated Missouri State, 28-22, on Homecoming in front of a big crowd at Memorial Stadium.

* Give the Sycamores a 4-3 advantage in the all-time series between the two schools.

* Give the Sycamores their first win over the Redhawks since 1996, when they defeated SEMO, 34-13, at Memorial Stadium.

* Give Indiana State its first win agianst an OVC opponent since 2004, when ISU beat EIU 33-30 in overtime at O'Brien Stadium.

* Give Trent Miles his first collegiate head coaching victory.

The Indiana State Head Coach

Indiana State is led by first-head head coach Trent Miles, a 1987 graduate of ISU as well as a native of Terre Haute, Ind.  Miles made his debut as a collegiate head football coach on against Eastern Michigan and will be looking for his first victory at Indiana State.  Prior to coming to ISU, Miles spent three seasons (2005-07) as the running backs coach at Washington under head coach Tyrone Willingham and three years at Notre Dame (2002-04) as the wide receivers coach.

The Southeast Missouri State Head Coach

Southeast Missouri State is led by third-year head coach Tony Samuel. He is 8-18 in his third season at Southeast and is 42-75 in 11 years as a head coach, including eight seasons at New Mexico State.  In addition to his time as a head coach, Samuel has spent time as an assistant at Purdue (2005), Nebraska (1986-96), Stanford 1984-86), and Western Michigan (1982-84). 

Southeast Missouri State Scouting Report

Southeast Missouri State is a member of the Ohio Valley Conference and play their home contests at Houck Stadium (10,000) in Cape Girardeau, Mo.  The Redhawks are off to a 1-3 start in 2008, with the only win coming at home against Southwest Baptist in overtime, 35-28, in the team's season-opener at home on Aug. 28.  Since that time, SEMO has suffered defeats at the hands of nationally-ranked Missouri, Tennessee Tech and last weekend against Missouri Valley Football Conference opponent Missouri State.  The Redhawks are led on offense by quarterback Houston Lillard, who is averaging 275.5 yards per game in the air while throwing for eight touchdown passes.   He is backed up on defense by linebacker Nick Stauffer, who has recorded 50 tackles in four games, including 23 solo stops, two sacks and four tackles for loss to date.

The Last Time Against Southeast Missouri State

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. ? Three Indiana State turnovers plus a Southeast Missouri State touchdown late in the first half propelled the Redhawks to a 13-10 victory over the Sycamores at Houck Stadium.  Despite losing three fumbles and scoring once in three trips to the red zone, the Sycamores had the ball in the final three minutes trailing by just three points, 13-10.  The offense was then unable to pick up a first down, and the defense allowed SEMO to run out the clock as ISU came tantalizingly close to its first victory of the season.

Strong Senior Leadership

Senior Jayden Everett has been a constant force for the Sycamore defense this season and his performance on Saturday against Northern Illinois proved that.  Everett racked up a team-high 10 tackles in the game for the Sycamores and upped his season total to 24, including eight solo stops.  Everett has also recorded a team-high 1.5 tackles for loss in three games for ISU and has forced a fumble.

A One-Man Scoring Machine

Freshman placekicker Braulio Martinez has been a pleasant surprise on special teams for the Sycamores after joining the team late in fall practice.  In fact, he's scored all six of the team's six points on the season both on field goals.  He connected on a 22-yarder at No. 20 Eastern Illinois and added a career-high 42-yarder at Northern Iowa last week.  On the season, Martinez is 2-for-3 with the third attempt being blocked in the team's season opener at Eastern Michigan.

Gates Carrying The Load

Darrius Gates has returned to the field after missing last season due to an injury and has performed well on the ground for the Sycamores.  Gates is averaging 4.5 yards per carry for the Sycamores on 25 carries in three games.  His best effort came in the season opener at Eastern Michigan, in which he carried the ball 10 times for a season high 61 yards against the Eagles.

Sewall On The Move

Freshman Alex Sewall has been very active in ISU's first three games.  The freshman free safety has tallied 22 tackles so far this season, including a team-high 13 solo stops.  He tied his season and career high with nine tackles last weekend at Northern Illinois, which he set the week before at against No. 20 Eastern Illinois.  In his collegiate debut, Sewell recorded four solo stops against Eastern Michigan.

A “Special” Performance

Sophomore punter Gabe Mullane was impressive in his collegiate debut, as he averaged a booming 43.7 yards per punt in the season opening game against Eastern Michigan.  That performance earned Mullane the year's initial MVFC Special Teams Player of the Week award (Sept. 1).  Mullane punted nine times in the game for a total of 393 yards. 

Young Guns

Of the 53 players that saw action for the Sycamores in the season opener at Eastern Michigan, a total of 34 of those players were seeing their first-ever collegiate action of any kind.  ISU started five players on offense, one newcomer on defense, plus one more on special teams against the Eagles.