July 26, 2004

CAPE GIRARDEAU - Southeast Missouri State University's football team has been picked to finish fourth in a preseason poll of league head coaches and sports information directors.

Eastern Kentucky is picked to win the OVC with defending league champion Jacksonville State second, Samford third and Southeast fourth.

Murray State is picked fifth followed by Tennessee State, Eastern Illinois, Tennessee Tech and Tennessee-Martin.

"Fourth is about where I expected we would be picked," said Southeast coach Tim Billings. "I think the league is stronger from top to bottom this season and any of the top five or six schools could win the title. I really think we have the ingredients to have a good football team. If we can survive our early schedule that is the toughest in school history, I think we can contend in the OVC."

Four Southeast players were named to the 2004 preseason all-OVC team. Tight end Ray Goodson, offensive tackle Dan Connolly, offensive guard Dan Bieg and kicker Derek Kutz were all selected by the head coaches and sports information directors.

Goodson, a preseason All-America pick by the Sports Network and Swami Josh, a I-AA columnist, was a first team all-OVC selection last season when he led the Indians in receiving with 66 catches for 623 yards and three touchdowns.

Kutz was also a first team all-OVC selection last season after leading Southeast in scoring with 75 points. He was 30-30 on PAT's and 15-21 on field goals.last season. Kutz was also an honorable mention preseason All-America pick by Swami Josh.

Bieg was first team all-OVC last season and is a preseason honorable mention All-America pick by the Sports Network. Connolly was second-team all-OVC last season.