Positive news has been in short supply around Jack Doland Fieldhouse in recent days, and when it comes to the training room, it hasn’t been good in several weeks.

Perhaps the brightest spot for McNeese State (6-3, 4-2 Southland) is it is not alone at needing an inordinate supply of ice packs. Upcoming opponent Southeastern Louisiana (7-3, 5-1) finds itself in similar shape with two of its most vital players.

Quarterback Bryan Bennett and return specialist Xavier Roberson, consensus picks as the best at their positions in the league, both left last week’s win over Houston Baptist and are being called day to day by Lions coach Ron Roberts.

“Injuries are part of college football. You can’t do anything about it,” Roberts said. “When guys go down, other guys have got to step up to the plate and make plays. You can’t complain about it. You can’t whine about it. That’s the nature of the beast.”

Of course, when Saturday ends up being the day in question, Roberts said he expects both to play. The question is, will either be limited in any way?

“They’re both feet injuries, oddly enough,” Roberts said. “Both have sprains. Hopefully we’ll get both back this week. I think we will. But you don’t know how they’ll respond to those foot things.”

McNeese running back Kelvin Bennett is a prime example of the unpredictablity of an ankle sprain, as he has either been held out of games or used sparingly as the Cowboys’ No. 3 back over the past month.

Neither Roberson nor Bennett were needed against HBU as the Lions rolled up 806 yards of offense while holding the Huskies to a humiliating total of 80.

Playing without Bennett helped contribute to SLU’s lone conference loss, though. He sat out the first half at Stephen F. Austin with shoulder soreness until a 17-0 halftime deficit suddenly got it feeling a lot more comfortable.

The second-year Oregon transfer led the Lions back into the game, but the rally wasn’t mighty enough to overcome SFA’s cushion.

Regardless of Bennett’s status, Roberts said he believes consistency has been an issue that needs to be fixed if SLU is to beat McNeese and then make a postseason run.

It’s his belief that Southeast Missouri State and SFA were both let off the hook because SLU came up well short of its full potential.

“I don’t know if we have put things together. At times we’ve played really well. At times we haven’t,” Roberts said. “I don’t think we’ve played our best football yet. But it’s Week 11. You’ve got to quit waiting. Obviously on Saturday we’ve got to click on all cylinders.”

The Lions have been no slouches even when they haven’t had everything rolling.

SLU enters this week first in the league in scoring defense, pass defense, total defense, interceptions, rushing offense, kickoff returns and fewest sacks allowed.(Rick Hickman/American Press)