New Redhawks WR graduates from DII to FCS

For new Southeast Missouri State wide receiver Tate Crane, the transition from Division II Truman State to the FCS ranks is similar to going from being an undergraduate student to graduate school.

Which he just so happens to be doing at SEMO.

The Iowa native will have one season of eligibility and will compete with returning wide receivers Jack Clinkenbeard and Dorian Anderson for key roles left by Ryan Flournoy and Damoriea Vick. Crane is aiming to conclude his only season at SEMO with an MBA Financial Management degree and a path to the pros.

“There are opportunities for me to go into the finance section and accounting section, which is great,” Crane said. “But I love football. I love just the day-to-day and finding ways to grow. So as long as I’m healthy, as long as I like it, I’m gonna try to do it as long as I can.”

Crane was the top pass-catcher for a Truman State team that went 9-2 in each of the past two seasons. He amassed 102 receptions for 1,232 yards and 10 touchdowns in 34 career games.

“This biggest thing I want to do is grow my game,” Crane said. “Winning a championship is huge. At Truman, we fell short three times, which was tough.”

While he said the on-field success is something, “I’ll never take for granted,” it was the close relationships he had with his teammates that brought him the most joy during the season.

“Just going out at practice every day and talking crap,” Crane said. “Once you have a personal relationship with so many guys, it makes practice and just the every day-to-day a lot more fun and a lot more enjoyable.”

Crane saw some FCS opportunities within the Pioneer League but found a fit with the Redhawks.

“This was the best fit for me, given my situation,” Crane said.

Crane brings to the Redhawks talent, size (6-foot-3, 210 pounds), and most importantly to head coach Tom Matukewicz, experience.

“I just think 20-23-year-olds just got a lot more life figured out than the 18-year-olds,” Matukewicz said. So it’s nice to have those veterans.”

The Rowdy Bowl Football Spring Game is scheduled for Saturday, April 20 at Houck Field.