Oct. 3, 2001

Leaping grab. Amazing catch. Tremendous play. Unbelievable. These are all superlatives that have been used time-and-time again this season to describe the play of junior wide receiver Willie Ponder. After only five games as an Indian, Ponder is on track to rewrite the entire Southeast Missouri record book for receivers and has been making spectacular plays all season long.

Ponder came to Southeast after spending his freshman year at Tulsa and a redshirt season at Coffeyville Community College with fellow transfer Adrian Sanders. Ponder and Sanders formed a close bond at junior college, which has translated into success for both at Southeast.

This was evident with an outstanding trick play against Illinois State two weeks ago. Sanders took a handoff on a wide receiver reverse and instead of running downfield, he found a wide-open Ponder at midfielder and hit him with a near-perfect pass. Willie took the ball to the endzone to complete the 80-yard touchdown play that helped turn the momentum of the game that the Indians would eventually be victorious in. The play gained national attention last week as it was featured on ESPN's Thursday Night Game of the Week.

"We went over the play throughout the week in practice," Ponder said. "If Adrian had a lane he was going to run the ball, but if I was open the play was designed to go to me. I got open and Adrian made a great pass."

Plays like that have Willie quickly climbing the all-time record lists at Southeast. He already owns the single game record for touchdowns with three, a record he tied in a mere half against Southwest Missouri State last month. And if his pace continues he should hold all Southeast single season records. Entering tonight's game, Ponder needs 37 catches, 423 yards and three touchdowns to hold each single season record outright.

Besides the game touchdown record, Ponder has also threatened to break the single game Southeast records of 14 catches and 211 yards. And although he will only have one more year of eligibility left after this season, Ponder has a chance at the career receiving touchdown record of 22.

"Willie is having an outstanding season for us," Coach Tim Billings said. "He has an uncanny ability to catch passes in traffic. Now that he is drawing double coverage we have to start getting the ball to our other receivers. And once we start moving the ball around, it will once again open Willie up for the big plays."

In Willie's mind he feels like he will catch every ball thrown in his direction. "I have to catch every pass thrown to me," said Ponder. "I have to do whatever is takes to make sure our team is successful so I feel like I'm going to catch everything thrown near me."

That feeling of catching every pass is aided by the fact that Ponder has great confidence in his teammates who are throwing him the passes, no matter who is at quarterback. "I have a great relationship with all the quarterbacks," said Ponder. That is important factor for a receiver and quarterback. If they have confidence in you to catch the ball then you have to have confidence in them that they are going to throw you the ball."

Ponder is not only gaining national exposure via trick plays but his statistics are amongst the tops for receivers in Division I-AA. Heading into this weekend's games, Ponder is number one in total receiving yards with 694. Per game, he ranks third nationally with an average of 138.8 yards per contest and his 7.20 receptions per game rank him eighth nationally.

"It was a great feeling when coach told me about it," Ponder said when discussing the nationally rankings. But I'm not really focused on statistics. I just have to keep working hard and help us win those close games. Coach told us that he needed everyone to make plays and that's what I am trying to do."