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Wednesday, August 29, 2018
The Southeast Missouri State football team struggled, again, to score last season, finishing sixth in the nine-team Ohio Valley conference in points per game. It didn't fare much better in total offense, coming in fifth with just over 300 yards per game.
In 2016, SEMO finished last in both categories.
Returning starter and 1,000-yard rusher Marquis Terry poses for a photo Aug. 23 at Houck Stadium.
Ben Matthews
But there's reason for optimism as the Redhawks prepare for Saturday's season opener at Arkansas State. Jeromy McDowell has replaced Jon Wiemers as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach and has plenty of weapons at his disposal, including Preseason Ohio Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Year Marquis Terry.
Some improvement on the offensive end could go a long way as SEMO looks to reverse its luck in one-possession games. Last season, the Redhawks lost five such games by a total of 17 points.
Quarterbacks
The change begins at the most high-profile position as Northern Illinois transfer Daniel Santacaterina replaces two-year starter Jesse Hosket under center.
Santacaterina transferred to SEMO this past winter, sat out spring practice as he recovered from rotator cuff surgery and then won the quarterback battle in fall camp.
"Santa has done a really good job this camp," McDowell said. "He's been really pushing this offense, and doing a lot of different things at the line of scrimmage that veteran type of guys kind of do and we're going to need to take some advantage of some different things as far as what we're going to see defensively."
Southeast Missouri State quarterback Daniel Santacaterina hands off to running back Geno Hess during the first practice in pads Aug. 7, 2018 at Houck Field.
Fred Lynch
Santacaterina played in six games and started four for NIU last season, completing 62 of 97 passes for 712 yards and seven touchdowns. He was 15-of-22 passing for 128 yards against Nebraska, leading NIU to a 21-17 win.
He lost the starting job after a 34-28 loss to San Diego State in which he threw for a season-high 262 yards with three TDs and three interceptions. Marcus Childers replaced him under center was later named Mid-American Conference Freshman of the year.
Now, Santacaterina has a chance for a fresh start at SEMO.
Fifth-year senior Anthony Cooper is the backup after playing sparingly last season and is a threat with his legs.
The other quarterbacks on the roster are junior college transfer Joe Pyle, who struggled with injury problems during fall camp, and freshmen Patrick Maddox and Jacob Buie. Maddox is a Kennett High School graduate and walk-on.
Running backs
Terry headlines the position group after rushing for 1,076 yards and seven touchdowns as a junior last season. He was 13th in the football Championship Subdivision in rushing yards and 16th in yards per game, averaging a conference-high 97.8 yards per game.
Marquis Terry poses for a photo Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018, at Houck Stadium in Cape Girardeau.
BEN MATTHEWS ~ bmatthews@semissourian.com
He also averaged 4.5 yards per carry and ran for a season-high 184 yards against Eastern Kentucky.
Along with being named the Preseason OVC Player of the Year, Terry is a Lindy's Sports second-team Preseason All-American and a STATS third-team Preseason All-American.
"Obviously everybody's so excited about [Terry], and he's just a good football player and a great kid," McDowell said. "We're really excited about his potential for this season."
Mark Robinson headlines a group of underclassmen backing up Terry. The 6-foot, 215-pound sophomore transfer from Presbyterian College offers a more physical presence in short-yardage and goal-line situations. He led Presbyterian last year with five touchdowns on 75 carries.
Kristian Wilkerson
Southeast Missourian file photo
Freshmen Zion Custis and Geno Hess have also impressed and could get a handful of carries.
"I wouldn't be nervous to put them in the games and let them carry the football," McDowell said. "They're going to do some good things, definitely in the future but this season as well."
Dexter graduate Ethan Stevens is also on the roster at running back.
Offensive line
SEMO brings back the most experience along the offensive line with three starters back, including STATS Preseason All-American Drew Forbes. The left tackle has made 22 consecutive starts heading into the 2018 season opener.
"Drew is a very talented young man, and we're definitely going to lean on him during games this season," McDowell said.
Kristian Wilkerson runs after a catch against Dayton on Sept. 9, 2017.
Southeast Missourian file photo
Right guard Junior Pierre is another returning starter, and Lucas Orchard is back at center.
"He's a senior that is kind of the glue to that group," McDowell said of Orchard. "He's a big piece."
Sophomore Elijah Swehla is slated to start at left guard and senior Jimmy Keutzer is the starter at right tackle.
"We really feel good about that group," McDowell said. "That group is going to have to be very good for us if we want to have a chance to be honest with you."
While starters Alex Snyder and Kyle Thies are gone, the amount of returning experience provides the line with a familiarity that most of the other offensive position groups don't have.
"I feel like we're moving forward as an offensive line," Forbes said. "That has a lot to do with our seniors up front -- Lucas Orchard, Junior Pierre and myself."
Wide receivers/tight ends
While only one of four wide receiver and tight end starters from last year return, McDowell is excited about the depth among pass catchers.
"That's been a good position this camp," McDowell said. "The talent is spread out, and we do have a little bit of depth there."
Junior Kristian Wilkerson headlines the unit after hauling in 52 receptions for 553 yards and five touchdowns, all team highs. Zack Smith is back after catching 20 passes for 253 yards.
Trevon Billington, the team's second-leading receiver from last year, is gone and currently on the roster at Division II Southwestern Oklahoma State University.
But McDowell has been impressed with newcomers like junior college transfer Jerrick Orr. Wilkerson, Orr and senior Richie Eisenhart are listed as starters on the Week 1 depth chart. A former walk-on, Eisenhart learned he would receive a scholarship at the end of the spring scrimmage when he caught a touchdown pass, prompting a video message from Matukewicz to be played on the scoreboard. In the video, Matukewicz announced Eisenhart will play his senior season on scholarship and his teammates hoisted Eisenhart onto their shoulders to celebrate. Now, Eisenhart can celebrate a starting role.
Smith, Colby Cornett and Kobe Bryer are listed as backups at wide receiver, and McDowell said even more players will be counted upon.
"There's seven, eight guys that can really help us win football games, and we're going to need them to be honest with you because we're going to play a lot of multiple-receiver sets and going with up tempo and stuff," McDowell said. "They're all going to be a big piece of us being successful for sure."
Both tight end starters from last year, Logan Larson and Broedy Wheeler, are gone. Sophomore Austin Crump is slated to start there with junior Eric Williams backing him up.
Poplar Bluff High School graduate Brett Barousse, a freshman, is on the roster at receiver, and Kennett product Bud Hilburn returns for his junior year at tight end. He played in 11 games last year, primarily on special teams.
OFFENSE AT A GLANCE
Starters back
RB Marquis Terry
OL Drew Forbes
OL Lucas Orchard
OL Junior Pierre
WR Kristian Wilkerson
Starters lost
OL Alex Snyder
OL Kyle Thies
QB Jesse Hosket
TE Broedy Wheeler
TE Logan Larson
WR Trevon Billington
Key stats
Points per game: 20.5
Passing yards per game: 165.3
Rushing yards per game: 136.5
Key returners
Passing: Anthony Cooper (2 yds.)
Rushing: Marquis Terry (1,076 yds.)
Receiving: Kristian Wilkerson (553 yards)
