Redhawks shut down 45-0 by FBS power Kansas State

Veteran Southeast Missouri State football coach Tom Matukewicz has been following the Kansas State football program since before he was shaving, so he knew how difficult of a task his team was going to have in playing the No. 16-ranked Wildcats in Manhattan on Saturday.

However, it was even more challenging than anyone could have envisioned.

Kansas State overwhelmed an incredibly young Redhawk offensive front, which stymied any ability at all to run the football or pass downfield, which resulted in the Wildcats winning 45-0 in the season-opening game for both teams.

“Kansas State was who we thought they were,” Matukewicz told Semoball.com following the loss. “They are talented, and they were good on offense, defense, and the kicking game.

“They had balance. They could run it and they could throw it.”

How dominant were the Wildcats?

SEMO’s All-American running back, Geno Hess, finished with negative four yards on 10 carries, while the Redhawks managed just 43 yards on the ground in sack-adjusted yards.

“We weren’t able to block them really well in the run game,” Matukewicz said. “That just made for a long night.”

The Redhawks (0-1) never advanced a drive further than the Wildcat 37-yard line, and in fact, they only had one offensive series finish in Kansas State territory.

“I still think that we could have played better, though,” Matukewicz said. “Several drives were stopped by penalties.”

Redhawk quarterback Paxton DeLaurent was under heavy pressure all evening and ultimately was sacked four times.

DeLaurent completed 24 of 36 passes for 213 yards, but most completions were short-yardage tosses that he could get off quickly.

SEMO totaled 227 yards of offense while the Wildcats (1-0) accumulated 588 total yards (360 of which was through the air).

Senior wide receiver Ryan Flournoy hauled in 10 receptions for 96 yards while Damoriea Vick had seven catches for 52 yards.

“Defensively,” Matukewicz said, “even if they are better than us, they should still have to drive (the ball). We can’t have the ‘chunk’ yardage that we gave up today.”

Of the initial eight offensive series by the Wildcats, seven resulted in points scored, as they had six touchdowns and one field goal.

Defensive back Joedrick Lewis and linebacker Christian Fuhrman led the Redhawks with seven tackles each.

Lewis had one tackle for a loss and one pass breakup.

The lone defensive highlight for SEMO was a first-quarter interception by junior defensive back Antonio Taylor.

Not as bad as it looked

Despite the outcome, Matukewicz felt there was some growth made by his team, particularly, the offensive line, which had three new starters filling roles.

“They played how I hoped that they would play,” Matukewicz said. “It wasn’t necessarily good enough, but there is a lot there to (build on).”

Only center Zack Geig, right guard Kobe Sixkiller, and left guard Clive Truschel had ever started a college game, and Truschel had only done so twice.

“Once we get to go against like-size teams,” Matukewicz said, “I still feel like they will end up being pretty good, but it won’t be by next week. It will take a little bit.”

Fantastic debut

A massive question entering this season was the punt game after All-OVC punter Zach Haynes transferred to New Mexico State in January.

Eastern Michigan transfer Adam Heston came to the Redhawks having never actually punted in a college game, but his debut with the program could not have gone much better.

“He got the benefit of some rolls,” Matukewicz said. “So, he was a bit inconsistent, but it was a very good first outing for him.”

Heston had eight punts for an average of 41 yards, including a 54-yard kick.

Four of Heston’s kicks were stopped inside the Kansas State 20-yard line.

“It was something for him to build on, for sure,” Matukewicz said.

Norman hurt

Redhawk All-American linebacker Bryce Norman injured his shoulder at one point in the second quarter and was pulled from the game.

He finished with just two tackles in his limited action.

Matukewicz said his shoulder was x-rayed at the stadium, but the diagnosis was not known immediately following the game.

The Redhawks will host Lindenwood on Saturday at Houck Stadium at 6 p.m.