Offensive line coming together down the stretch for Southeast Missouri State football

Southeast Missouri State's Garret Baker, right, blocks teammate Clarence Thornton during Tuesday's practice at the Rosengarten Athletic Complex.

Trent Singer

There's no denying that Southeast Missouri State football coach Tom Matukewicz wants his offense to have a run-first mentality, but that all starts with an imposing offensive line.

Fortunately for the Redhawks, those protectors in the trenches might be peaking as the team's stretch run continues. SEMO's offensive line has paved the way for season-high rushing performances in back-to-back weeks and has allowed only six sacks in the past four contests.

Matukewicz believes the biggest contributor to the offensive line's success has come from developing a general sense of comfort, but it all starts with a solid game plan, which is exactly what the Redhawks will need if they have any hopes of defeating No. 2 Jacksonville State on homecoming at 1 p.m. Saturday.

"Coach [Ben] Blake has done an outstanding job of getting the group better," Matukewicz said following Tuesday's practice at the Rosengarten Athletic Complex. "It's had the same lineup, so they're comfortable with each other. And they know what's going on. We've been really dialed in on our opponent the last two weeks."

As a team, Southeast (3-5, 3-2 Ohio Valley Conference) is averaging 3.9 yards per rush through eight games, including 4.4 ypr in a 21-20 loss at Tennessee Tech and a season-high 6.1 ypr in a 41-21 win last week over visiting Austin Peay.

Southeast Missouri State offensive line coach Ben Blake talks to his players during practice Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016, at the Rosengarten Athletic Complex.

Trent Singer

Against the Governors, senior running back Will Young racked up a career-high 154 yards on the ground, leading an attack that amassed 276 as a team.

In the interior line, the Redhawks are led by three senior starters -- left guard Garret Baker, center Jake McCandless and right guard Michael Cooke. Sophomore Drew Forbes and junior Alex Snyder are the left tackle and right tackle, respectively. None of those five players have missed a start this season.

"We want to have a big, physical team, and it starts at the line of scrimmage," Matukewicz said. "On both sides, we've really focused on trying to get bigger.

"It's just like anything. If you take something little and just pound on it, it'll break before something big or heavy. So far, we've been able to stay healthy. We haven't missed anybody up front, and I think that has to do with the size."

At 6-foot-6, 306 pounds, Forbes is the biggest offensive lineman in the starting lineup. The former North County High School standout believes the unit has done a better job in recent weeks due to diligence in scouting.

"The coaches do a great job preparing us for what we're going to see and the percentage of blitzes and the down-and-distances upcoming," Forbes said. "What we've learned the most is you can't let the last play affect the next one. You've just got to move on and keep going down the field."

The Redhawks racked up 515 yards of offense last week, scoring three of their five touchdowns on the ground. Senior Tremane McCullough had two of those TD runs -- a 22-yard scamper and a 16-yard run -- while Young scored on a 7-yard burst.

Southeast Missouri State's Michael Cooke looks to block teammate Victor Alvarez during a drill at practice Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016, at the Rosengarten Athletic Complex.

Trent Singer

"I think we've gotten movement," Matukewicz said. "It's one thing to just get a guy on a guy, but we've actually displaced. And those holes are opening up a little more. You look at Will Young on his touchdown run -- he didn't even get touched -- and so I think those guys are creating movement up front."

Granted, Southeast cashed in against the worst rushing defense in the league -- the Govs are allowing an average of 245.4 rushing yards per game -- but there's plenty of evidence to suggest the offensive line has been a difference-maker with its physicality.

"We've been very physical, and that's been kind of pounded into our heads," Forbes said. "We've just got to out-physical the other team and get them into submission. At that point, we've worn them down, and toward the end of the game, we're able to get 6-yards-plus a carry rather than 2 or 3."

When Matukewicz took over the program three years ago, he immediately went to work by recruiting bigger bodies in the trenches. He also focused his players' attention toward the weight room and has even added a team breakfast every morning.

"I just think everything's getting comfortable," Matukewicz said. "We've kind of settled in on our plan and what we want to do, so I think they're comfortable with that. But we're going to find out because this is as good as there is, so we'll see how far we've actually come."

On Saturday, JSU (7-1, 4-0 OVC) will bring along the league's top rushing defense, and the numbers aren't even close. The Gamecocks are allowing a league-low 87.6 rushing yards per game, which ranks seventh in the Football Championship Subdivision and is 26.2 ypg less than UT Martin (113.8 ypg), which ranks second in the conference. SEMO's rushing defense ranks third in the OVC, allowing 130.9 ypg.

Southeast Missouri State offensive coordinator Jon Wiemers talks with center Jake McCandless during practice Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016, at the Rosengarten Athletic Complex.

Trent Singer

Matukewicz believes JSU is "as good a team that's been at Houck" during his three years at the helm.

"We've got our hands full with them," Matukewicz said. "If we don't hold up at the line of scrimmage, then we're in trouble because that's their way. And honestly, that's our way. That's how we want to win football games, so we've got to do a good job there.

"They're going to get plays, and they're going to have success. But we've got to have ours, too, and we can't let it affect us. We've just got to keep coming. Our goal is to make it a fourth-quarter game. If we can be within a score or two in the fourth quarter, then either team could win."

Injury update

Junior RB Chase Abbington (concussion) sat out of Tuesday's practice and is doubtful for Saturday's game, according to Matukewicz.

Abbington, who's listed behind Young on the depth chart, had a 14-yard TD reception during the first quarter in last week's win over APSU.