No. 6 SEMO outlasts Gardner-Webb 30-24 on homecoming Saturday

SEMO running back Cole Ruble runs past Gardner-Webb defenders on Saturday, Oct. 26.

Tony Capobianco ~ tcapobianco@semoball.com

SEMO head coach Tom Matukewicz grinned broadly as he acknowledged the Redhawks student section and walked off the field. The sweet roar of the crowd’s energy showered the field, and the players greeted them in celebration.

Paxton DeLaurent threw for 312 yards and two touchdowns, running back Cole Ruble had a career day, and defensive back Ty Leonard had two clutch interceptions to defeat the visiting Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs 30-24 on homecoming Saturday.

SEMO improved to 8-1 – 5-0 in Big South/OVC play – with the home win.

“I think it's kind of been the theme of the year: just we found a way,” Matukewicz said. “It's never looked the same and it's never quite perfect, but this team's just kind of even and we didn't get rattled. Love our responding.”

Here are four immediate takeaways:

Cole Ruble enters the spotlight

Sophomore running back Cole Ruble felt strong and healthy.

Boy, did it show.

In a career game that brought SEMO’s rushing attack back to life on Saturday, Ruble racked up 194 all-purpose yards (122 rushing) and scored an electrifying 65-yard touchdown in the second quarter. He made the most of his 18 total touches on homecoming, averaging 10.8 yards every time he got his hands on the ball.

“I'd say Coach Bunch has coached us very well this year,” Ruble said. “The running backs in the room are all really strong at the position. I believe if anybody gets under there, they can do the same thing I did.”

In an injury-riddled backfield that is now down to its fourth option, Ruble shined and broke open the game with his 65-yard score, where he bursted through the heart of the Gardner-Webb defense and left everyone in his wake with an impressive display of speed.

Entering Saturday, SEMO was averaging just 59.8 rushing yards per game in its previous four, which put more pressure on DeLaurent, who was 35-of-58 for 312 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions on the day, to command the game with his arm. That was not the case against Gardner-Webb, as the Redhawks offense dialed up a much more balanced attack to give themselves an edge in nearly every offensive category, including total yards (432-274) and first downs (27-13).

Ty Leonard comes in clutch

Have a day, Ty Leonard.

The sixth-year cornerback delivered the two most clutch plays of the afternoon behind a pair of game-altering interceptions at the end of each half to propel SEMO to victory.

With seven seconds remaining in the second quarter, the the Runnin’ Bulldogs marched all the way down to the SEMO 2-yard line and were in prime position to punch in a touchdown. That’s until Leonard sniffed out Gardner-Webb quarterback Tyler Ridell’s pass, bit on the intended wide receiver’s slant route and perfectly played the ball to secure the interception right before the break.

With an opportunity to shut the door late in the fourth quarter, SEMO pinned Gardner-Webb back deep into their own territory at the 3-yard line. On third-and-10 with 1:12 to go, Ridell was under heavy pressure before he aired it out to the far side of the field, only to find Leonard haul in the easy, game-clinching interception to put the game away.

“So proud of Ty,” Matukewicz said. “He's been here a lot. Last homecoming game as a senior and to go make that play right before half was huge… then just to cap the game off in a two minute drive pick. We talk a lot about turnover margin and trying to win that, so we end up at least going even 2-2. There's nobody happier for Ty Leonard than this football program.”

SEMO rebounds from sloppy first quarter

Things did not get off to a hot start for the sixth-ranked Redhawks. Following two forced interceptions, Gardner-Webb jumped out to a 14-0 lead late in the first quarter after beginning each scoring drive with a short field at the SEMO 22 and 15-yard lines.

Then SEMO flipped a switch.

The Redhawks kept their composure and responded by scoring 24 unanswered points and not turning the ball over once the rest of the way to hold on for a six-point win.

“We spotted 14 points, but it never got funky on the sideline,” Matukewicz said. “They drive it down right before the half and we get a pick.

“I think it still goes back to the leadership and the seniors on the team to just get everybody settled down. I thought our assistant coaches did a really good job on the sideline. Paxton did a good job of responding, and that's obviously not how you want to start, but it was what it was. And so we got out of our feelings and ended up finding a way.”

Stadium environment off the charts

During an interview in practice earlier this week, DeLaurent stressed the importance of fan engagement and getting a bigger crowd out to Houck Stadium.

“I think our crowd since (UT) Martin has been disappointing,” he said. “I know people don't like to hear that, but I think it's true. So, I hope that guys come out, and they stand up and cheer on third down, and they get excited for touchdowns, and they get excited for the defense, because we need that."

It’s fair to say the SEMO community heard their star quarterback loud and clear.

Saturday afternoon marked the highest-grossing revenue game in program history, as a sea of raucous Redhawk fans flooded the Houck Stadium bleachers and played an integral part in the "home field advantage" factor.

“We've never raised this amount of money in a home football game,” Matukewicz said. “Just so thankful for all the people that support SEMO, support SEMO football. It's great to have all these alums come back, fin3 friends, celebrate, cooks some sausage and go watch a great football game. So just very thankful.”

What’s next?

SEMO enters a bye week before traveling to St. Charles for a Big South-OVC matchup at Lindenwood (4-5) at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 9.