Southeast vs. Illinois State football

Saturday, November 30, 2019

Tyler Graef

The Southeast Missouri State University Redhawks' season came to a close Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, at the hands of a relentless Illinois State ground game led by the Redbirds' senior running back James Robinson.

Finley Cornett, 1, is helped into the stadium by Kimberly and Todd Cornett before a game between Southeast Missouri State University and Illinois State Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in Cape Girardeau. Finley's uncle, Colby Cornett, would be playing in the game. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)
Southeast head coach Tom Matukewicz, center, yells to his team as they prepare to take the field for a playoff game against Illinois State Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, at Houck Stadium in Cape Girardeau. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)
Southeast special teams coordinator Matt Martin is seen enveloped in heavy smoke from pregame fireworks and fog before a playoff game against Illinois State Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, at Houck Stadium in Cape Girardeau. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)
Southeast defenders bring down Illinois State quarterback Bryce Jefferson (5), whose helmet is knocked off, during a playoff game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, at Houck Stadium in Cape Girardeau. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)
Southeast defenders try to tackle Illinois State running back James Robinson (25) during a playoff game against Illinois State Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, at Houck Stadium in Cape Girardeau. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)
Southeast's Devin Alexander (8) eludes a defender while carrying a fake punt for a first down during a playoff game against Illinois State Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, at Houck Stadium in Cape Girardeau. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)
Illinois State's Andrew Edgar (4) hauls in a pass for a touchdown during a playoff game against Southeast Missouri State University Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, at Houck Stadium in Cape Girardeau. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)
Illinois State quarterback Bryce Jefferson (5) carries the ball into the endzone during a playoff game against Southeast Missouri State University Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, at Houck Stadium in Cape Girardeau. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)
Southeast's Mark Robinson (23) carries the ball during a playoff game against Illinois State Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, at Houck Field in Cape Girardeau. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)
Southeast's Colby Cornett (16) fumbles the ball in front of the Redhawks' endzone during a playoff game against Illinois State Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, at Houck Stadium in Cape Girardeau. Southeast would recover the ball on this play. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)
Southeast senior Kristian Wilkerson (6) hauls in a pass during a playoff game against Illinois State Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, at Houck Stadium in Cape Girardeau. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)
Southeast defenders try to bring down Illiniois State running back James Robinson (25) during a playoff game against Illinois State Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, at Houck Stadium in Cape Girardeau. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)
Southeast quarterback Daniel Santacaterina (10) is brought down while carrying the ball during a playoff game against Illinois State Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, at Houck Stadium in Cape Girardeau. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)
Southeast's Zion Custis (22) returns a kick during a playoff game against Illinois State Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, at Houck Stadium in Cape Girardeau. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)
Southeast senior Zach Hall (5) closes in on Illinois State running back James Robinson (25) during a playoff game against Illinois State Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, at Houck Stadium in Cape Girardeau. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)
Southeast players salute fans as the school song plays after their loss to Illinois State Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, at Houck Stadium in Cape Girardeau. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)
A cracked cheer megaphone is seen near cheerleaders on the Southeast Missouri State University sideline during a playoff game against Illinois State Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, at Houck Stadium in Cape Girardeau. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)
Southeast head coach Tom Matukewicz salutes fans as the school song is played after the Redhawks suffered a playoff loss against Illinois State Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, at Houck Stadium in Cape Girardeau. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)