Semoball

SEMO FB Notes: Redhawk D has long, hurtful day vs. Iowa State

Iowa State running back Eli Sanders (6) is brought down by Southeast Missouri State linebackers Keandre Booker (18) and Mali Walton (13) during the second half of a game, Saturday, in Ames, Iowa. Walton was injured on the tackle.
Associated Press photo

Veteran Southeast Missouri State football coach Tom Matukewicz knew his defense would have its hands full on Saturday in its 2022 season-opening game at Iowa State – and it did.

The Redhawks (0-1) lost 42-10 and allowed 469 yards of offense by the Cyclones (1-0).

“We’re going to be a little bit of a work in progress,” Matukewicz said following the game.

Add to the fact that the defensive unit lost four starters to injury during the game, and another prior to it, and that becomes even more concerning to the Redhawk followers.

SEMO was without sophomore cornerback Tyler Nelome for Saturday’s game after he was injured during training camp, and then during the contest, Matukewicz also lost starting nickel back Dony’e Taylor, starting free safety Trai Hodges, and weakside linebacker Mali Walton, to injury.

In addition, the Redhawks’ top defensive player, sophomore middle linebacker Bryce Norman was ejected early in the second half for targeting after making a spectacular stop of a Cyclone runner for a loss.

“We got really, really thin,” Matukewicz said of his defense as the game wore on. “If we don’t get any of those guys back, that is five starters. That is going to show itself.”

Matukewicz did state that with a full complement of players, he believes his defense will be able to compete once the Ohio Valley Conference portion of the season begins.

“I think we could have played better,” Matukewicz said of his defensive performance on Saturday, “but it’s not that I am concerned. Once we hit conference play, we’ll be playing well.”

Norman out – for now

Matukewicz admitted to being “surprised” by the ejection of Norman, was SEMO’s leading tackler a year ago, and finished with four tackles in just over two quarters of action on Saturday.

“They have instant replay for a reason,” Matukewicz said of the tackle that got Norman ejected. “They looked at it and confirmed it. I was surprised, but if that is what the video says…”

The rule for such ejections was altered this season, which will allow the SEMO coaches to send in the video to the “national office” for review, according to Matukewicz, and he plans on doing so on Monday.

If the appeal is accepted, then Norman could play for the entire game on Saturday, when the Redhawks visit No. 9-ranked Southern Illinois (6 p.m., ESPN+). If not, he’ll have to sit out the first half.

“He will be out until we hear from (the national office),” Matukewicz said.

Receivers shine

As good as sophomore quarterback Paxton DeLaurent was in his FCS debut (and he was very good), someone had to be available to catch those passes and SEMO had several wide receivers stand out on the day.

Senior Johnny King led the Redhawks with six receptions for 46 yards, while junior Damoriea Vick had five catches (one for a score) for 45 yards.

“Everybody that watches us is excited about our receivers,” Matukewicz said, “and they did a great job.”

Junior Ryan Flournoy “made an unbelievable catch,” for a 41-yard reception, in the words of Matukewicz, and finished with three catches for 56 yards, while senior Pervis Frazier had two receptions for 36 yards, including a 30-yard gain on one catch.

“In FCS,” Matukewicz said of Vick, King, and Flournoy, “that is a really, really good three-headed monster.”

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: