Redhawk center proves valuable to his coach and the nation

Four years ago, after watching Southeast Missouri State left tackle Drew Forbes be selected in the 2019 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns, veteran Redhawk coach Tom Matukewicz stated that “the guy on the O-line that we’ll really miss is Lucas Orchard.”

It wasn’t that Orchard, who interestingly enough, now coaches the Redhawk offensive lineman, was a better player than Forbes – he wasn’t. However, he was invaluable to Matukewicz because of his position, center.

“There is the communication,” Matukewicz explained, “because he identifies the (defensive) front and starts all of your rules.”

Fast-forward to today, and not only does Matukewicz hold 2022 starting Redhawk center Zack Gieg in high regard, but so does the rest of the nation.

Gieg was recently named the FCS recipient of The Rimington Award, which honors the top offensive center at each level of college football.

“The biggest impact that Zack has made,” Matukewicz said, “is that he has helped change the culture in the offensive line. He is on the edge (emotionally) and the other offensive linemen took on that identity of being physical and nasty.”

Gieg has an abundance of responsibilities on each play, as Matukewicz noted before he even gets to the task of snapping the ball to Redhawk quarterback Paxton DeLaurent. But once the snap occurs, which is made more challenging because SEMO plays out of the shotgun, then Gieg really has to work.

“Can you even think of a bad snap this year,” Matukewicz asked. “I can’t. When you’re in the shotgun, a bad snap sets you back seven or eight yards, which costs you an (offensive) series.

“The other guys just have to block somebody. Zack has to snap the ball and THEN block somebody.”

The Redhawk offense was honored ad nauseum this season.

SEMO had talent galore (eight offensive Redhawks were recognized by the Ohio Valley Conference), but every play started with Gieg doing his job well.

“I consider this a team award,” Matukewicz said. “If you don’t have the kind of running back that we had, with the yards and the kind of season that we had on offense, then you don’t get a Rimington Award.

“I think everybody on the team ought to be excited about that honor because it puts SEMO (football) in the national light.”

Gieg spent his first two college seasons at Fresno State before transferring in 2021 to Cape Girardeau.

He has been an All-OVC First Team selection each of his two seasons with the Redhawks and was a Second Team selection this season to the Stats Perform Football Championship Subdivision All-America Team.

“Zack is such a good teammate,” Matukewicz said. “He’s just a great guy.”

Gieg will return for his final collegiate season with the Redhawks in 2023.