Redhawks' offense finds new heroes each week

Southeast Missouri State receiver Mitchell Sellers celebrates a touchdown with teammates during a game against UT Martin on Sept. 7, at Houck Field.

Tony Capobianco ~ tcapobianco@semoball.com

Every week this season, a new offensive hero emerges for Southeast Missouri State.

First, it was freshman running back Peyton Brown, and then it was senior wide receiver Dorian Anderson. Most recently, it was Mitchell Sellers, who hauled in 60 yards and three touchdowns in a 45-42 double overtime win over UT Martin after being held without a reception through the first three quarters.

Facing a two-score deficit in the fourth quarter, SEMO quarterback Paxton DeLaurent finally called Sellers' number and threw him the ball in the red zone. Each time Sellers reached the end zone, the Redhawks went from seemingly hopeless, to hopeful, to tied, to the victors.

"When that ball is in the air, Pax does a great job, I don't really got to do much, just turn around and catch the ball," Sellers said. "I knew my time would come and thank God, I made some plays out there."

Before that game, Sellers had only one reception for eight yards this season. When he was a tight end last season, he totaled 15 receptions for 155 yards and a touchdown before injuries derailed his season and threatened to ruin this season before it started.

But DeLaurent never lost confidence in Sellers and knew there would be a scenario where he would be able to shine.

“Since Mitch has gotten here, he's been a reliable player,” DeLaurent said. “We were waiting to call his number. We’re expecting red zone and third downs, and that's what the game turned into, was a red zone game. And he came big and did what he's supposed to do.”

A senior who arrived at SEMO from Southern Mississippi after the 2022 season, Sellers is not quite in the position to be the leader who would lead the troops into battle but does his part to make the campaign enjoyable.

"I know my role," Sellers said. "I call myself a vibe guy. So I try to keep the vibes up, make sure everyone's locked in."

After a nationally televised Week 0 road game, a hard-fought FBS matchup, and a highly emotional home opener, the Redhawks get a much-needed bye-week before renewing their rivalry with Southern Illinois. Through those three games, the Redhawks offense leads the Big South-OVC in scoring with an average of 32.7 points per game.

With DeLaurent under center, SEMO has almost exclusively thrown the ball, averaging a conference-high 289.0 passing yards per game.

"I think [offensive coordinator Jeromy McDowell] has a great scheme," DeLaurent said, "and I think [wide receivers coach Desmond Noird] came in and brought some new scheme for the passing concepts for us, and I think that's been really good."

While it is unfair to mention conference leaders, given the extra game, four of the nine Big South-OVC receivers to find the endzone are Redhawks. Sellers and Anderson have three touchdowns, while Anderson leads with 313 receiving yards. Cam Pedro is right behind with 238 yards and a touchdown.

The common trait that connects the receivers is their arrival at Houck Field. All four of them transferred from colleges of various levels, each of them hungry to stand out at SEMO and be part of a playoff run.

"We have great talent, and I think more than that, we got great character players," DeLaurent said, "guys that want to work and keep getting better. There's nothing you can ask more when guys are working constantly to get better each week."