Sept. 6, 2001

A quick glance over the 2001 Southeast Missouri State football roster might leave members of the media and fans in amazement. Have some senior players been left off the roster? A count reveals only 11 seniors amongst almost 80 active players. This surely has to be a misprint. Well, actually it is not. While most teams enter a season with a majority of fourth and fifth year seniors, Coach Tim Billings' 2001 squad enters the season with a majority of true and redshirt freshmen who will be asked to step up and make big plays throughout the year. But do not discount this group of seniors; although small in number their contributions for this season will be valuable to this young team.

Four of the members of the senior class are starting their fifth year as a member of the football team after all completing redshirts their freshman seasons. Defensive back Leotis Belcher, quarterback Bobby Brune, wide receiver Andy Dunaway and defensive back Mike Gross have played for two different coaches and endured three consecutive 3-8 seasons. Each will bring something different to the table this season as Southeast looks to improve its record and OVC fortunes.

Belcher has been a backup in a secondary that has been a defensive strength over the past several years. Playing behind talented players like 2000 seniors Isaac Powell and Joe Williams has given Belcher both the opportunity to improve his game and the chance to earn playing time. After waiting patiently, Belcher has earned his chance, and begins the season as the starter at strong safety.

Dunaway has caught a total of 33 passes in his time as a receiver at Southeast. It looked as if he was heading for a breakout year in 1999, catching 17 passes, but injuries have slowed him over the past two seasons. A broken finger has kept him out of most of the fall drills but his return to the active roster will give the Southeast quarterbacks another target in this wide-open offense. Dunaway is also a Southeast Scholar Athlete and member of the 2000-01 OVC Commissioner's Honor Roll.

One of those quarterbacks who could be throwing to Dunaway this season is Brune. Brune is the third-generation member of his family to quarterback the Indians, following in the footsteps of his grandfather Charlie and father Greg and also his uncle Lance. Brune has gone from backup to starter and returned to backup in his three seasons as an Indian. After starting as the backup at the beginning of last season, Brune ended up leading the team in passing, throwing for over 1,300 yards and nine touchdowns in 2000.

"I am ready to go every week," Brune responded when asked about not being named the starter at the beginning of the season. "The coaches have done a good job in preparing each of us and when called upon I will get in the game and help when needed." Brune also downplayed the effects of being at third generation quarterback. "I use to think about it a lot when I was a freshmen. But now it is not even a factor, it's out of my mind."

Brune does see the fact that Southeast has three able quarterbacks as an advantage for the Indians in 2001. "I think having three quarterbacks will make other teams work harder in preparing for us. And then they still won't know what coming, whether it's the option with Rashad or Jeromy or I in the pocket. We will all be ready to contribute when asked."

Gross, a four-time Southeast Scholar Athlete and 2000-01 OVC Commissioner's Honor Roll member, has seen action on both sides of the ball at Southeast. He started one game at quarterback during his sophomore season before moving on to become both a wide receiver and special teams unit specialist. This season, he once again makes an adjustment, to defensive back, where he begins the season as a backup at free safety.

"I think I've adapted well each season," Gross commented on his many different positions. "Although I played quarterback in high school and favor that position, I am not a selfish player. I will help the team wherever I am needed. This season at free safety I am looking to learning the sets and helping out however I can." As for Gross's accomplishments in the classroom, he attributes those to hard work just like on the field. "Going to class is exactly like going to football practice. If you attend, work hard and try your best you will eventually succeed."

Two seniors, defensive back Chuck Lewis and quarterback Rashad West, begin their third seasons with the Indians. Lewis has been a backup in the secondary for two seasons and will look to add valuable experience and depth there again this year. West, like Brune, has seen action as both a starter and backup and finds himself behind redshirt freshman Jeromy McDowell to start the season. Unlike Brune, however, West has been plagued by injuries since coming to Southeast from Hofstra. As a sophomore he made an immediate impact using his scrambling ability to confuse opposing defenses and lead Southeast to three wins in the final four games of the season. But an injured ankle in 2000 and a partially torn ACL this past summer has prevented West from becoming the outright starter and potential star at quarterback.

The majority of the remaining seniors all begin their second seasons at Southeast. Running back Curtis Cooper returns to his natural position after playing last season as a wide receiver and on the special teams unit. His explosive speed will once again be a threat on punt returns this year but more importantly his pass catching ability will be highlighted coming out of the backfield. Linebacker Corey Mathis ranked 16th in the country in tackles for loss a season ago, recording 19 for 58 total yards lost. Mathis is a 2001 preseason All-OVC selection and will be looked upon to lead the Southeast defensive unit.

Defensive back Edward McCray has battled academic problems but is back strong for 2001 and will look to make contributions on special teams and in the defensive secondary. Alex Alameda, also a backup in the defensive secondary, was also a member of the 2000-01 OVC Commissioner's Honor Roll.

The final senior is Garvin Ambrose, a track and field star turned wide receiver. A four-year member of the Southeast track team, Ambrose won numerous honors, including the 2001 OVC indoor and outdoor high jump titles. Ambrose's speed and athletic ability should be a valuable asset for Southeast's passing attack.