Eric Brock said Haskell Indian Nations University’s football program was “a little firecracker waiting to explode” shortly after becoming head coach of the Fightin’ Indians last spring.

There have been few big bangs since, but just enough that Brock continues to talk about turning around the struggling program.

“I do think the potential is still there,” Brock said. “It doesn’t show in W’s or losses, but we’re all upbeat. The kids can see improvements.”

The Indians (1-7) will end their season today against 0-8 Southwestern Assemblies of God U. Kickoff will be at 2 p.m. at Haskell Stadium.

The Indians do have a win ” a rather convincing one ” when Haskell snapped its 24-game losing skid with a 68-0 stomping of Trinity Bible College on Oct. 20.

The Indians fell to Colorado College, 30-0, last week after two weeks off, but Brock said that loss belies other breakthroughs for this team.

“Last year, we averaged a punt being blocked against us a game,” Brock said. “This year we’re a hundred percent at not getting blocked and our special teams have played well.”

Brock is also quick to note two other positives.

Junior cornerback Brett Blythe is second in the NAIA in interceptions with eight, and sophomore linebacker Matt Kalfsbeck has 69 tackles, six sacks and two interceptions.

“A lot of kids have grown up. They’re doing the things we asked them to do since summer drills,” Brock said. “They’re starting to understand why we told them those things.”

Brock likens a win against SAGU to a stepping stone.

“Tomorrow’s one big building block which we hope will be the beginning of a streak towards a positive direction,” Brock said. “I think the kids our as optimistic as I am about the future. I think they’re starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

SAGU was thumped 42-0 last Saturday by Southern Nazarene.