SEMO FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK: Redhawks show support for grieving teammate in Pink Up Game

Southeast Missouri State's Marquis Terry rushes for 68 yards against UT Martin during the fourth quarter Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017 at Houck Field.

Fred Lynch

The Pink Up Game has become a tradition since it began three years ago under Southeast Missouri State football coach Tom Matukewicz, but there was a different weight to this year's game, with the sudden absence of a starter on the offensive line.

Junior left guard Kyle Thies had returned to his home in Royal Palm Beach, Florida, to attend the funeral of his mother, Lisa, who passed away after last week's loss at Jacksonville State.

Southeast players and coaches communicated to Thies via FaceTime on Friday night to send their support, and on Saturday, the Redhawks each donned a helmet sticker on the back that had the initials 'LT,' a sign of solidarity for the grief experienced by their fellow teammate.

"It's tough," Matukewicz said. "God doesn't necessarily prepare you for those moments, but he's a strong kid, a great kid. He'll be able to try to rebound and make it about that legacy and the memories and celebrate her life."

On a day in which the Redhawks wore pink jerseys that were customized on the back with names of loved ones who have battled with cancer, perspective was already transcending the walls of Houck Field.

But now the message had a renewed meaning.

Southeast running back Marquis Terry empathized with Thies' situation.

"Thies is a real, real close friend to me. I've been praying for him every day," Terry said. "It really hits home. Wearing that 'LT' on the back of our helmets really means something to us, just to jell together as a team and try to put it out there for him and his mom."

The Pink Up Game was established through a partnership between the Redhawks and Saint Francis Healthcare System. Southeast opened its annual Pink Up Auction in September, giving fans the opportunity to bid online for one month to raise money in the fight against breast cancer.

In the first two years of the Pink Up Game, Southeast raised more than $45,000 for breast cancer awareness.

"It's just perspective when you talk about legacy and when you talk about this disease and meet people and how it's affected them," Matukewicz said. " ... I think, more than anything, it just gives you perspective on what life is really all about. It's about relationships and about people and the impact that you might have to put a smile on somebody's face. Overall, it was a good day for sure when that's considered."

SEMO's ground game holds up

Southeast Missouri State's Cameron Sanders rushes for 34 yards against UT Martin during the third quarter Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017 at Houck Field.

Fred Lynch

As for the game, the Redhawks dropped a 16-14 defeat in heartbreaking fashion, but it wasn't because of a lack of production in the running game.

The Redhawks finished with 221 yards on the ground, as Terry led the way with 20 carries for 154 yards. Running back Cameron Sanders contributed 50 yards on five rushes, while quarterback Jesse Hosket had the lone rushing TD of the game, a 12-yard run in the first quarter that gave Southeast a 7-0 lead.

The effectiveness on the ground went against the trend while matched up against one of the top rushing defenses in the Ohio Valley Conference. UTM entered the game allowing just 97.5 rushing yards per game, which ranked second in the league. The Skyhawks were yielding just 2.8 yards per carry, but Southeast was able to generate 7.1 ypc.

"I think 'Quis did a great job. He popped a couple," Matukewicz said. " ... We talked a lot about trying to be over 4 yards (per carry) because they had not given up any rushing yards."

Another Swift performance

Southeast Missouri State's Justin Swift stretches to recover a fumble by UT Martin quarterback Winn Dresser during the fourth quarter Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017 at Houck Field.

Fred Lynch

The Redhawks were without starting outside linebacker Chad Meredith for the second game in a row, but received another big performance from backup Justin Swift.

The 5-foot-11, 209-pound sophomore was a one-man wrecking crew defensively, finishing tied for the team lead with nine tackles. He also had one tackle for loss, a sack and a fumble recovery in the fourth quarter that positioned SEMO's offense at the UTM 10-yard line.

"The guy just makes plays," Matukewicz said. "It's hard playing out on the edge. You've got to be a pretty good athlete, and I thought he played well again.

"You certainly miss a guy like Chad Meredith, who's one of the best players on the team, but I like how Justin's done a great job. He's prepared well and taken advantage of his opportunity."