Five things to watch: SEMO opens OVC play against Eddie George, Tennessee State

Former Tennessee Titans running back Eddie George is new head coach at Tennessee State, which visits Southeast Missouri State on Saturday.

Associated Press

Tom Matukewicz, the Southeast Missouri State head man who’s helped turn the Redhawks into a consistent Ohio Valley Conference contender, has had better years.

The pandemic did no favors for SEMO and the 2020-delayed Football Championship Subdivision, opening the door for several key players to make the leap to the larger Football Bowl Subdivision, including new Auburn safety Bydarrius Knighten.

Earlier this month, SEMO — picked second in the OVC preseason poll despite the departures — found out that aging Houck Stadium had major safety concerns and saw its south grandstands closed indefinitely.

Then there was the injury bug that has shelved some of the Redhawks’ most experienced figures.

Then veteran running back and gifted kick returner Zion Custis quit after Week 2 to enter the transfer portal.

And, of course, there’s the 0-3 start courtesy of Mizzou, top-ranked and defending FCS national champion Sam Houston and seventh-ranked Southern Illinois.

Matukewicz, who saw the Redhawks enjoy back-to-back postseason berths in 2018 and 2019 before the coronavirus ravaged the globe, is ready for some positives.

A new slate begins Saturday in Cape Girardeau when the Redhawks open OVC play against Tennessee State (1-2), a 2 p.m. kickoff that will also be streamed on ESPN+.

“I look at this as both teams are 0-0, we’ll find out a lot about ourselves and the things we need to get better at and the things we’re good at,” Matukewicz said. “So now it’s time to try and win a football game at home.”

Hello, Eddie

A struggling TSU program and the FCS got a major optics boost when legendary Tennessee Titans running back Eddie George was named head coach in April.

The hire was also a big deal to many Southeast Missouri residents, whose closest regional NFL team is the Titans.

Expect a few powder blue jerseys in the Houck Stadium stands on Saturday when George, a four-time Pro Bowler who retired in 2004, is roaming the sidelines. 

SEMO is excited to see George in Cape Girardeau, too, but is even more excited for the opportunity to send him back to Nashville with a loss.

“I grew up watching him, so that’s pretty good that we get to play against him,” SEMO quarterback CJ Ogbonna said. “It’s going to be a fun experience, to try to beat him and show him what we’re about.”

Matukewicz is happy to be sharing the field with George.

“He’s obviously not coaching because he needs the money or the fame,” Matukewicz said. “He wants to impact young people, which is really cool, so I can’t wait to shake his hand.”

Stopping the Tigers running game

TSU has taken on the image of its new head coach and with a running game that’s totaled 453 rushing yards on 115 attempts, an effort led by All-OVC talent Devon Starling (265 yards).

But the Tigers, who run multiple formations and can also get the ball in space, have had trouble scoring against FCS opposition in losses to Grambling (16-10) and Jackson State (38-16) before handling NCAA Division II Kentucky State (41-7).

SEMO knows it will need to stop TSU from controlling the clock and tempo.

“They run a pro-style offense with a lot of pistol,” SEMO defensive lineman Bryson Donnell said. “They do big personnel. It’s a new offense, so we can’t off last year’s year film.

How will Redhawks do through the air?

SEMO believes it can move the chains with a capable running game (180 yards a game) that’s faced tough front sevens in recent weeks, paced by All-American Geno Hess and a dual-threat Ogbonna.

But Ogbonna may be without two of his primary targets, including preseason All-OVC receiver Zach Smith, who has missed most of the early season with an injury, and Aaron Alston, who neared the 1,000-yard career mark before an injury against Mizzou.

Matukewicz said he doesn’t expect to have the duo back this week.

Will defense rise to the occasion?

SEMO, which has given up nearly 600 yards a game to three dynamic and explosive offenses, will need its defense to grow up in OVC play.

Matukewicz said that, after three games, the young and experienced pieces in the secondary should now be seasoned and ready.

“They’re not young anymore,” he said.

Success against TSU

SEMO has won three straight games against the Tigers, including a 4-2 mark on Matukewicz’s watch.

Tennessee State was picked fifth in last month’s OVC preseason poll.