Scouting the opponent: SEMO
Game week is finally upon us and we got a chance to speak to SEMO beat writer Trent Singer and ask him some questions about SEMO and the upcoming game at Memphis.
1- Coach Tom Matukewicz is starting his 3rd season at SE Missouri State. How is this year's team different from his first 2 years?
TS- Experience. The Redhawks return far more veterans than they have the previous two seasons. Southeast has a roster consisting of 25 seniors and eight returning starters on both sides of the ball. That experience is what Matukewicz will likely be leaning on this year, especially in the early part of the season.
2- Who are some players on offense that Memphis needs to watch out for?
TS- On offense, it all starts with Tremane McCullough, a 1,000-yard rusher from a year ago who averaged almost 100 yards per game. McCullough is moving to slot receiver for the Redhawks, so it will be interesting to see how smoothly he makes the transition. McCullough has the kind of speed that coaches love. He's small but shifty, and his ability in open space is what defines his game. At quarterback, Southeast will be going a different route to start the season with the addition of JUCO transfer Jesse Hosket. At 6-foot-4, Hosket has all the size and intangibles to run Matukewicz's system effectively. He's also a member of the Redhawks' leadership council, which shows the coaches trust a newcomer to really be one of the team's leaders. Hosket earned the job over last year's starter in Dante Vandeven, who was named the OVC Freshman of the Year after a stellar debut as a true freshman.
3- SE Missouri State has 7 players from Memphis (Cameron Sanders (Christian Brothers H.S.), Kristian Wilkerson (Craigmont H.S.), Clarence Thornton (Ridgeway H.S.), Marquette Murdock (Ridgeway H.S.), Justin Swift (Trezevant H.S.), Rudie Frye (White Station H.S.) and JJ Flye (Southaven, Miss./Southaven H.S.) Do you get a sense that these players will have something extra in the tank playing a team that may not have offered them?
TS- I feel like that's always the case for those players who return home. That sense of entitlement is big for confidence. Matukewicz has made it known that he likes to recruit from the Memphis area, and it makes sense for those types of players to want to play for him. He's shown the ability to be a great recruiter, and with I-55 serving as an easy avenue for proximity, players have consistently shown a commitment to want to play for the Redhawks. Five of those players — Sanders (kick returner), Murdock (tight end), Wilkerson (wide receiver), Frye (free safety) and Flye (cornerback) — are listed on Southeast's two-deep chart for Week 1, so they'll definitely have a chance to make an impact.
4- Which players on defense do you think that Memphis needs to be concerned with?
TS- Defensively, the Redhawks will be led by senior Roper Garrett, an absolute stud at middle linebacker. Garrett was a second-team All-OVC selection last season with 106 tackles. He's got ideal size at the position and has the strength to make an impact on what seems like every play. Perhaps more importantly, Garrett is the quarterback, so to speak, on a defense that is by far considered a team strength. Junior Mike Ford returns in the secondary, and at 6-0, 190 pounds, he's shown to be a great vocal leader on defense. He'll also be a key player to watch, along with outside linebacker Chad Meredith, a junior with tremendous size (6-5, 228 pounds).
5- What do you expect from this game, can SE Missouri State pull off the upset?
TS-During his previous coaching stints as an assistant, Matukewicz has had a lot of success in the third year. It's been the "breakout year" for those programs, and he's hopeful it will be the same here in Cape. The Redhawks have a lot of talent and experience on their roster this season. That being said, Memphis is just on another level. Southeast's defense has the ability to keep it close, but an upset seems unlikely. Memphis has had no trouble in its most recent games against FCS schools, and it would shock me if Saturday is any different. The second half should be the biggest piece of evidence as to what separates the two teams — depth and talent. I've been wrong before, so I won't rule anything out. This is always the beauty of the season opener. You just never know.