SEASON WRAP: Matukewicz believes Southeast Missouri State football doing right things despite record

The Southeast Missouri State football team finished the 2016 season with a 3-8 record, placing seventh out of nine teams in the Ohio Valley Conference. Since the turn of the century, the Redhawks have produced only two winning seasons.

Southeast Missourian file photos

Benefiting from a dominant defense but hindered by an inconsistent offense, 2016 was a double-edged sword for the Southeast Missouri State football team.

Third-year coach Tom Matukewicz was one of many who expected to see a breakthrough campaign -- Southeast entered the year with 17 returning starters and 24 seniors, the program's largest senior class in four years -- but the results on the field failed to meet those expectations, as the Redhawks finished 3-8.

However, for a program that has produced only two winning seasons since the turn of the century, Southeast has long been derailed in its quest for success.

"Ultimately this whole program is a reality of, 'This thing didn't get broken yesterday,'" Matukewicz said. "It's been broken for years and years and years, and so it takes time and a commitment from the players, the coaches, the administration, the community.

Southeast Missouri State's Tremane McCullough rushes for 41 yards to the Austin Peay 24 during the second quarter Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016 at Houck Stadium.

Fred Lynch

"When enough people want us to win and give us what it takes and the coaches and players do what it takes, that's when we'll turn it."

After re-energizing the program in his first two seasons, Matukewicz received a one-year extension that went into effect on Jan. 31, furthering his contract through the 2018 season.

Matukewicz said he hasn't really tried and doesn't see much benefit in making sense of his third campaign, one that was marred with disappointment and heartbreak.

The Redhawks started the season with a three-game losing streak and ended it in the same way. In between, Southeast notched its fifth all-time win over a ranked Football Championship Subdivision opponent when it knocked off No. 13 Eastern Illinois 21-14 on Oct. 1 at Houck Stadium.

While that victory proved to be the pinnacle of SEMO's 2016 campaign, there were plenty of moments that left the program yearning for more.

On the field, sustaining success proves to be a challenge for Matukewicz, who has guided the Redhawks to three of their wins against nationally-ranked opponents. Off the field, Matukewicz points to results that add credibility to the culture he's instilled at Southeast.

In Matukewicz's first year, the program's single-year APR ranked third in the Ohio Valley Conference. It remains the highest it's ever been, along with a cumulative GPA of 2.97, according to Matukewicz. Then in July, the Redhawks teamed up with local law enforcement personnel to stand united in light of the recent shootings across the country and host the "Cops and Hawks Bowl," a flag-football charity event which raised money to provide financial assistance and support to the spouses and dependent children of fallen and injured service members in the line of duty.

The foundation of the Redhawks' program under Matukewicz is geared toward improving team character; he believes winning on the field is a by-product of everything else.

"I think when you look at where we're at, you've got to consider the whole thing, and we are winning," Matukewicz said. "We're winning off the field. The things that we accomplished, the things that we've done with these kids are wins.

"We did have a top-25 win, but the problem is we haven't been able to have a winning season yet. And so it just tells you we're not there yet. We've got to continue to recruit our roster. We've got to continue to develop as coaches. We've got to continue to develop our schemes and find a way to win these close games."

As predicted in the OVC's preseason poll, Jacksonville State finished first and Austin Peay finished last, but every other team in the conference finished differently than expected. The Redhawks were predicted to place fifth in the conference but ended the year seventh with a 3-5 record in league play.

"You just never know," Matukewicz said about the OVC. "One season has no affect on the next season, and it's really anybody's game with the parity and just how close this conference is. Personally I think it just comes down to winning on the road, and that's one thing we've really got to focus on is being able to win those OVC games on the road."

Of its eight losses, Southeast lost five by one possession, including a 17-10 decision versus No. 2 JSU on Nov. 5 at home. The Redhawks finished 1-5 away from Houck Stadium, as their only road victory was a 17-16 win over Murray State on Sept. 24.

Matukewicz believes winning on the road comes from having the mental fortitude and confidence to believe in victory.

"Ultimately these guys have lost a lot of football games," Matukewicz said. "So it's that mindset, 'Oh, here we go. We're going to lose another one.' Or is it that mindset, 'Here we go, we're going to go out there that next series and win this football game.'? That's something I'm really going to work on in the offseason."

Offense

Southeast Missouri State quarterback Jesse Hosket attempts a pass that was incomplete as Jacksonville State's Monty Young covers him during the fourth quarter Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016 at Houck Stadium.

Fred Lynch

The Redhawks finished last in the conference in scoring offense with 20.8 points per game but will return their biggest piece in starting quarterback Jesse Hosket.

The 6-foot-4 native of French Camp, Mississippi, was an all-newcomer selection in the OVC after finishing with 2,332 yards on 178-of-356 passing (50 percent) with 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He was named the starter just before the season began when he edged out the 2015 OVC Freshman of the Year in Dante Vandeven, who announced his decision to tranfer from the program with two games remaining in the season.

Matukewicz was most impressed with Hosket's poise and decision-making ability. He's hopeful that bringing back Jon Wiemers for his second season as offensive coordinator will also provide stability for the offense.

"It's just Version 2.0," Matukewicz said about the offense. "Our defense was as bad as it could be when I first got here, and because of the consistency, I think we've been able to make ground. Now we hopefully bring our offensive staff back for Year 2. Hopefully we can have Version 2.0 and make great strides there."

Surrounding Hosket with viable weapons will be a point of emphasis for the Redhawks during the offseason.

The offense loses running back Will Young, who ran for 838 yards and six TDs on his way to second-team honors in the OVC. Cameron Sanders (172 yards) and Chase Abbington (132 yards) are among returning players in the backfield.

Tremane McCullough made the move from running back to slot receiver, but his production dipped slightly. He finished his senior year with 800 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns on 134 touches, including a team-leading 53 receptions.

While the Redhawks were never able to find a go-to target to replace star wide receiver Paul McRoberts, who's now on the practice squad for the Los Angeles Rams, the emergence of wideout Kristian Wilkerson provides plenty of optimism moving forward. Wilkerson finished the season with 35 catches for a team-high 743 yards to go along with four TDs. His 21.2 yards per reception led the OVC.

"I think the main thing is bringing Jesse back and being able to work a full year to develop our offense around Jesse and get players in place," Matukewicz said. "I think the points will follow."

Southeast loses three starters in its interior offensive line with the departures of left guard Garret Baker, center Jake McCandless and right guard Michael Cooke, but both tackles -- Drew Forbes and Alex Snyder -- will return next season. Tight end Marquette Murdock and WR Tyler McLemore are among other key options returning in the pass game.

Matukewicz also said he wants to see the offense improve in the red zone. The Redhawks came away with points on 76 percent of their trips inside the 20-yard line but scored touchdowns only 35 percent of the time.

"Certainly the red zone is something we've got to look schematically at with what we're doing down there," Matukewicz said. "I think our kicker tried as many kicks as anybody in the country, and that's not a good sign. We need to be able punch it in to get our scoring up."

Defense

Southeast Missouri State's Roper Garrett tosses the football that he recovered on a fumble by Indiana State quarterback Isaac Harker as Zack Smith looks on during the first quarter Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016 at Houck Stadium.

Fred Lynch

Southeast leaned on its defense for much of the season, and for good reason. The Redhawks finished third in the conference in scoring defense, allowing 24.4 points per game.

Outside linebacker Chad Meredith was a first-team All-OVC pick after racking up 86 tackles, including 10 1/2 tackles for loss, as a junior. He'll return along with OLB Kendall Donnerson, whose 13 TFLs ranked second in the conference. At inside linebacker, Southeast will lose Terrance Hill (52 tackles) and Roper Garrett, who led the team with 92 tackles and two interceptions.

Midway through the season, the Redhawks were tasked with replacing nose tackle Marlon Hampton, whose final college season was ended by a knee injury, but senior Anthony Cheatum filled in nicely. Josh Wilson led all defensive linemen on the team with 41 tackles and will be the unit's lone returner next year.

"I think when you look back it, we return a lot of really good players on defense, but we've got to fix our secondary," Matukewicz said. "Our pass defense isn't good enough, so as coaches, we've got to look at what we're asking them to do. And as players, they've got to take responsibility with how they play.

Southeast allowed 251.7 passing yards per game, which ranked seventh in the league. Junior cornerback Mike Ford had 40 tackles and an interception before being sidelined the final four games of the season with a broken arm. Steve Durosier and JJ Flye are among next year's returners at CB, while free safety Ryan Moore (56 tackles) and strong safety Eriq Moore (36 tackles) will graduate.

The Redhawks' defense combined for five interceptions on the season, which tied for last in the conference.

"I think if we can get our pass defense going, that'll be that last thing on defense we've got to really work to fix," Matukewicz said.

Special teams

Southeast Missouri State's Cameron Sanders carries on a 93-yard touchdown run against Austin Peay during the third quarter Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016 at Houck Stadium.

Fred Lynch

The Redhawks had two special teams players earn first-team honors in the OVC, including senior Alex Knight, who had 64 punts for 2,805 yards. He averaged 43.8 yards per punt.

Sanders was also a first-team selection, finishing with 31 kickoffs for 837 yards. He returned a kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown during a 41-21 win over APSU on Oct. 29.

Kicker Ryan McCrum concluded his final college season converting 18 of his 26 field goal attempts. His longest field goal of the season was a 51-yarder, and he was a perfect 23-of-23 on extra point attempts.

"I thought we had a really good year with special teams," Matukewicz said. "I'm disappointed in our field goals. It was just inconsistent. When you're in one-possession games, that's something we've got to make sure we take care of. We're going to lose our holder and our kicker, and so we've got to do a great job of developing the guys who are already in our program and also bring in some guys to compete for that job."