The first quarter has been a glaring concern all season for the Southeast Missouri State football team.
Through their first five games of the year, the Redhawks had been outscored 37-3 in the opening 15 minutes of each game, but that trend took a pivotal turn in Saturday's Homecoming matchup against Tennessee Tech.
By the time the horn had gone off to signal the end of the first quarter of play, Southeast had a 17-0 lead over the Golden Eagles, an advantage it maintained all the way until the end of its 31-3 win at Houck Field.
The formula was simple enough. The Redhawks executed early and often, using the fresh legs from a week off to impose their will against a Golden Eagles team still in search of its first win of the season.
"That's what we talked a lot about. We talked about how we were the freshest team," Southeast coach Tom Matukewicz said. "They had two straight road games and haven't had a bye, and so we've got to start strong, from practice to pregame to pregame talk."
The Redhawks take the field for each of their home games in similar fashion, known as the "Lock and Rock." With their arms linked together, players gather in the end zone and burst onto the field through a tunnel comprised of both students and fans.
That's what we talked a lot about. We talked about how we were the freshest team," Southeast coach Tom Matukewicz said. "They had two straight road games and haven't had a bye, and so we've got to start strong, from practice to pregame to pregame talk.
Although only ceremonious in nature, the Lock and Rock has a well-intentioned leader in Matukewicz, who's using it to spark his team in whatever way he can.
"I just really want to try to just get a bunch of energy in how we start the game," Matukewicz said.
The Redhawks weren't just better, though, in the first 15 minutes of Saturday's contest. They were dominant, racking up 125 yards on offense while holding the Golden Eagles to minus-16 yards.
Senior quarterback Jesse Hosket threw two of his three touchdown passes during the quarter, both of which came on third-and-goal. The second scoring drive was set up by a key defensive play when sophomore linebacker Zach Hall got a strip-sack that was recovered by freshman defensive lineman Bryson Donnell.
Inside the final minute of the period, the Redhawks drove inside the 10-yard line for a third time but were forced to settle for a 22-yard field goal by Nicholas Litang.
Southeast had possession for all but 4 minutes, 7 seconds of the opening quarter.
"I just think there was some confidence there from the win two weeks ago," Hosket said. "I think we had a good game plan. They were loading the box up, and we had that one big shot early in the game. We were just able to capitalize on what we've been working on."
It was an unforgettable Homecoming in particular for senior safety Omar Pierre-Louis, who finished with two interceptions to lead the Redhawks' defense.
"I'm super proud of him," Matukewicz said. "He's a kid that's battled. This is his third year. This is his first to start. He's on the leadership council, and I told all my seniors, 'If you go out playing your best ball, we'll have a good year.' And that's a great example of a kid going out and leaving this program playing his best football."
Pierre-Louis got his first interception with under 13 minutes left to play in the second quarter. TTU quarterback Adam Browner's pass was way off the mark, but Pierre-Louis was positioned in the right place at the right time, returning the ball 10 yards to the Redhawks' 41.
"Credit to the defensive coordinator for putting me in the right position both times," Pierre-Louis said. "That's all you ask for is for a player to just be put in the position, and both times, it was the same call.
"Center field, there was a man across the board. The quarterback kind of overthrew it, and I was there. All glory to God. I thank him for that."
The native of Loxahatchee, Florida, one-upped himself later in the game. With just under 12 minutes left in the game, Browner tried to force a pass deep along the right sideline, but Pierre-Louis followed the quarterback's eyes and made a play that didn't go unnoticed by his coach.
"He works on his craft, and you get what your work deserves," Matukewicz said. "He deserves that kind of success, and those two interceptions were awesome.
"That one on the sideline was pretty special. That was a great play by him."
A sudden change at quarterback never struck fear into the Redhawks' defense, nor did it change the plans.
A game-time decision revealed that Southeast wasn't going to be see the top quarterback in the Ohio Valley Conference, as Andre Sale never made the trip due to disciplinary reasons.
Without its 1,375-yard passer under center, TTU turned to Browner, who made his first college start on Saturday.
It was nothing new for Southeast. In two of their previous four losses (Dayton and Eastern Illinois), the Redhawks had been unable to solve the opposing team's backup quarterback, both of which were on the road.
"We didn't know until game time, so you don't really have any prep of it," Matukewicz said. "All three quarterbacks were very similar in personnel, so it wasn't like Eastern Illinois, where one was a runner. It was really the same.
"I think the difference is we probably pressured him more just because he's a young quarterback."
Browner struggled against a barrage of pressure, finishing with 95 yards and two interceptions on 9-of-27 passing (33 percent).
"We prepared all week for anybody to play," Pierre-Louis said, "so for us, it really wasn't about Tennessee Tech. It was about SEMO. How can we do better from last week? How can we improve?"
The most-penalized team in the OVC didn't do itself any favors to improve its standing on Saturday.
The Redhawks were penalized 10 times for 85 yards against TTU, and Matukewicz was not pleased.
"I've been talking about it, and I'm done talking. So pain instructs," Matukewicz said. "We'll just run for those until we can get them stopped because we don't have those kinds of margins. Two or three stupid penalties, and we lose a football game. So we've got to learn our lessons there, and that's really our main issue as a football team."
Posting a comment requires free registration:
Menu
