Sept. 12, 2001

Q: As a graduate and fan of Southeast Missouri, I am highly encouraged by your arrival. Is there any one area that you have established to be the prime recruiting territory? And congratulatinos on your 'stomping' of the Salukis.
-Larry C. Decker, Beaumont, Texas

A: "The Southeast Missouri and St. Louis areas are our primary recruiting areas. We also recruit Florida and Texas and depending on needsd, we will go anywhere to sign a good football player. Thanks for your support of Southeast Football."

Aug. 27, 2001

Q: With Jeromy McDowell named the starter for the first game, do you plan on using Brune or West in different ways, like maybe use West on an option play as a tailback or Brune maybe as an option to use on a trick special teams play?
-Ricky Lintker, Okawville, Ill.

A: "Jeromy McDowell is our quarterback. If he gets hurt or is not getting the job done, we will go with Brune or West. We don't do much situational substitutions but you never know about a trick play!"

Q: Coach, I am really excited about this season and I was wondering (1) What set Jeromy McDowell apart from the veteran QB's of a year ago and (2) Do you plan of playing Division I teams every year?
-"I've said all along that we have three excellent quarterbacks who can get the job done. After fall drills we juts felt that Jeromy seemed to be the best overall. He has great poise, performs well under pressure and will be a strong leader.

As for your other question, we plan to play a I-A team each year. It is good experience for our players and brings in badly needed money for our program."

A: "Jeromy McDowell is our quarterback. If he gets hurt or is not getting the job done, we will go with Brune or West. We don't do much situational substitutions but you never know about a trick play!

Aug. 23, 2001

Q: What did you tell your team at halftime of the SIU game last year? I am a SIU fan and I figured with the rain and all a comeback from being down 31-7 was out of the question. It was a tribute to your team's relentlessness. They never gave up and I tip my hat to them even though I was heartbroken.
-Patrick C. Dixon, Carbondale, Ill.

A: "I just told them we had another half to see how much we could improve. I told them the rain was a sign that we could come back and when and we did just that."

Q: With less than two weeks before your first game, are there any area(s) you are concerned with about depth?
-Robert Evans, Jr., Cape Girardeau, Mo.

A: "All Division I-AA schools are concerned about depth at all positions and we are no exception. Our chief concerns are at running back and on the offensive line."

Q: So how are this year's freshman shaping up?
-Sevier, Glennton, St. Louis, Mo.

A: "Our freshman have been impressive during our Fall drills. We will have two or three true freshman start in the offensive line and two or three will start on defense. Plus, redshirt freshman Jeromy McDowell will be our starting quarterback at Eastern Michigan."

Q: What is the kicking situation for the upcoming season?
-Kelsey Amschler, Perryville, Mo.

A: "We have two freshmen kickers who have both been impressive in fall drills. Derek Kutz of Perryville and Brian Emmendorfer of Cape Girardeau are both excellent kickers who will compete for the job."

Q: What are your hopes and expectations for Curtis Cooper? How has he developed as a running back, how does he compare with other running backs you've coached and what could he do to improve his game?
-Stephanie Whitely, Toledo, Ohio

A: "Curtis Cooper has had a great fall. He will be a tremendous threat for us as a runner and as a receiver out of the backfield. He will also return kickoffs and punts. He is a team captain and will be one of our leaders off the field also."

Q: How good do you think the Motley brothers will be playing beside each other this year at Southeast? What impact do you think they will have on the team?
-Wayne Motley, Danville, Va.

A: "Jermaine will be a starter at defensive tackle and Jeremy has made good progress early this fall. I'm sure there will be times the Motley brothers will line up side-by-side on defense throughout the year. They are both good football players and fine young men.