Ohio Valley Conference announces instant replay for football, Southeast Missouri State picked seventh

Southeast Missouri State quarterback Jesse Hosket talks during an interview at the Ohio Valley Conference media day on Monday in Nashville, Tennessee.

Courtesy of the Ohio Valley Conference

The Ohio Valley Conference's implementation of instant replay in football was a hot topic on Monday, while Southeast Missouri State was picked to finish seventh at OVC media day in Nashville, Tennessee.

The OVC is one of 11 Football Championship Subdivision leagues that will implement instant replay in 2017. Scoring plays, spot reviews and catches can all be reviewed, while targeting is the only foul that can be reviewed based on judgment.

"I think the biggest thing is just that it legitimizes our league," Redhawks coach Tom Matukewicz said during an interview at media day. "If you go in the playoffs, you have it. When we play other conferences, whether it's Power Five or Group of Five, they have it.

"It's just a commitment to trying to get it right. We want to do everything we can to make sure the games are won or lost on the field and not by a call."

Southeast returns nine starters from a team that finished 3-8 a year ago and had a 3-5 record in the OVC. The Redhawks landed two players on the All-OVC Preseason Team -- senior outside linebacker Chad Meredith and junior return specialist Cameron Sanders.

Meredith was a first-team selection in 2016 after accumulating 86 tackles, 10 1/2 TFLs, four sacks and five quarterback hurries. Sanders, who was also a first-team pick last season, averaged 27 yards per kick return and returned one for a touchdown.

Southeast Missouri State coach Tom Matukewicz adjusts his headset during the annual Pink Up football game against Austin Peay on Oct. 29, 2016 at Houck Stadium.

Fred Lynch

During media day, Matukewicz talked in depth about his players' involvement in the community, referring to it as "a core value" of his program.

"They love it. They eat it up, every opportunity," said Matukewicz, who's entering his fourth season at the helm. "They like doing that, and it's an opportunity for them to meet people and get a better understanding.

"You may meet somebody outside your race, outside your religion. Maybe you can ask questions about their profession and just grow. That's really what that thing is all about. We have an unbelievable community in the Cape Girardeau/Jackson area."

Jacksonville State was chosen as the preseason favorite for the fourth year in a row, receiving 16 of the 18 first-place votes in a poll determined by league coaches and sports information directors. The Gamecocks have won three straight OVC Championships and are currently riding a 24-game winning streak in conference play.

UT Martin garnered two first-place votes and was picked to finish second, followed by Tennessee State in third, Eastern Illinois in fourth, Eastern Kentucky in fifth and Tennessee Tech in sixth. Southeast received 42 points, edging out eighth-place Murray State by one point. Austin Peay rounded out the poll.

TSU wide receiver Patrick Smith was chosen as the Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, while JSU defensive lineman Darius Jackson was named Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.

Meredith was joined by senior quarterback Jesse Hosket to represent the Redhawks at media day. After transferring from East Central Community College (Miss.), Hosket threw for 2,332 yards in 2016 and was an all-newcomer selection. He finished with 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions, completing 50 percent of his passes.

Hosket talked about the challenge of balancing football and education as he enters his final college season.

"Obviously it can get stressful, but at the same time, I think it teaches you to manage your time well," he said. "It also provides an opportunity in the future for the rest of your life. You're going to have a college degree, and you're going to have it paid for. And I think that's a big benefit to be able to play sports and go to college."

The Redhawks begin the season on Sept. 2 when they travel to face Kansas. They'll take on Southern Illinois in their home opener on Sept. 16 and will begin conference play on Sept. 23 at EIU.