Redhawk FB Notes: Flournoy skilled, but also tough

Of all the positions on a football field, the position group that is most thought of in terms of pizzazz, are the wide receivers.

Veteran Southeast Missouri State football coach Tom Matukewicz was recently asked about senior wideout Ryan Flournoy, who lacks nothing in the magnetism department, and he said that his star pass-catcher was an anomaly.

“Most times,” Matukewicz said, “when you are that skilled, you aren’t that tough. To be honest. That is just how it works for whatever reason.”

No one doubts Flournoy’s ability to “wow the crowd” with great receptions, but after watching him play over the past two weeks, there is also no one who would ever question his moxie.

“That guy has a ton of my respect,” Matukewicz said.

The Redhawks (2-4, 2-0 Big South/OVC Football Association) will visit Tennessee Tech (2-4, 0-1) Saturday at 1:30 p.m. (ESPN+).

Flournoy entered this season with as high of expectations as you could have as a player. He was named to the 2023 Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-America Team, as well as the 2023 Phil Steele Football Championship Subdivision Preseason All-America Team.

And he hasn’t disappointed.

Through the first two games of this season, one of which was against FBS-power Kansas State, Flournoy caught 20 balls for nearly 200 yards – with every defensive scouting plan geared to stop him.

“When I came here,” SEMO quarterback Paxton DeLaurent said last season, “I said ‘Holy cow!’ We have a really, really good team with NFL receivers, I believe.”

Unfortunately, Flournoy suffered a broken hand (after catching 10 passes) against Lindenwood last month and had to have surgery to repair the injury. He missed a couple of games, and only returned recently, but with a massive cast on his left hand.

“He’s just got both (skill and toughness),” Matukewicz said. “He doesn’t make excuses.”

As it turns out, Flournoy is better with one-plus hands than most receivers are with two healthy ones.

In the two games since his return, he has managed to grab 11 passes for 177 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

“He’ll never blame his cast if he drops a ball,” Matukewicz said. “He still blocks (well). He doesn’t go out there and do one-handed (catches), make a scene, and stuff like that.

“He is a competitor that I really respect.”

Young guy ascends

The Redhawk offensive line has been a chemistry experiment since last spring after having several key pieces graduate. However, through all of the experiments, redshirt freshman Tyson Miller has emerged and earned his first career start at left guard last week against Eastern Illinois.

“He got his opportunity through an injury (to graduate offensive lineman Clive Truschel),” Matukewicz said of Miller. “Clive had gotten hurt and wasn’t able to go, so it was ‘Next man up.’”

The journey of Miller wasn’t a smooth one, according to his coach. However, through diligence, the is

“He came in and was just the middle of the pack (guy) in that class,” Matukewicz said. “But man, he has really separated himself.”

Miller has seen action in five games this fall after redshirting in 2022.

At 6-foot-5, 290 pounds, he is proving that he can handle the responsibility that comes with a much bigger role.

“He had a really good off-season,” Matukewicz said. “He has the mentality that I want in the O-line. He just gets his job done because it is the most important thing to him.”

Miller is projected to get his second start today against the Golden Eagles, with Truschel expected to back him up.

The Redhawks rank in the bottom half of their league in quarterback sacks allowed, as well as the run game, however, Matukewicz knew entering this season that there would be growing pains early. Miller’s development is a positive sign for not just this season, but the future, as well.

“He is playing at a really high level,” Matukewicz said. “I’m really happy for him.”