Freshman kicker's first collegiate field goal is game winner

Southeast Missouri State true freshman Alex Knight said he kicked some game-winning field goals during his high school football career, including one in overtime.

But nothing compared to the feeling he got Saturday when his 30-yarder in the third overtime ended the Redhawks' contest against visiting Murray State.

Knight's boot, which split the uprights, gave the Redhawks their first win of the season, a scintillating 37-34 decision.

"I had a couple in high school, but nothing like this, to help out all my teammates," Knight said. "I knew we wanted it so bad, me helping out a little bit felt so great."

Knight, a native of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., had attempted only one other field goal during his rookie collegiate season, a 48-yarder against Tennessee-Martin on Sept. 28 that was no good.

Knight might not have even been called upon to provide heroics had redshirt freshman Ryan McCrum not missed an extra point midway through the second quarter.

It was Southeast's fifth failed PAT of the season, three of which came with Knight kicking. McCrum also was wide on a 39-yard field-goal attempt on the game's opening possession.

The left-footed Knight booted three straight extra points following McCrum's miss and Southeast coach Tony Samuel again turned to Knight in overtime.

"Alex is a very good kicker," Samuel said.

Samuel acknowledged that Southeast, due to its kicking problems this season, took something of a calculated risk in the third extra period after the Racers missed a 42-yard field-goal attempt on their possession.

The Redhawks went for it on fourth-and-inches from the 16. They picked up the first down and ran three more plays before Knight ended things.

Prior to Knight's field goal, the Racers called a timeout to try and rattle him. He said he thought that move benefited him.

"When they iced me, it actually helped me," he said.

In addition to converting only Southeast's second field goal of the season -- the other was by McCrum -- Knight has taken over as the Redhawks' punter the past few games.

Knight has done a solid job, averaging 38.7 yards on 23 punts while pinning the opposition inside the 20-yard line nine times.

"He's going to be a good one for us," Samuel said.

Knight was more than good enough Saturday.

-- Marty Mishow