SEMO FB Notes: O-line continues to be in flux through its growth

Veteran Southeast Missouri State football coach Tom Matukewicz has spoken for years about the importance of chemistry among the offensive line unit. After graduating three starters from the 2022 offensive line, formulating that degree of necessary cohesion up front has been a process since January, and will continue on Saturday.

SEMO (4-4, 3-0 Big South/OVC Football Association) will host Robert Morris (2-6, 0-3) at Houck Field at 1 p.m. for its final home game of the 2023 season, and the offensive line will have a lot of responsibility placed on its fluctuating shoulders once again.

“We have really been emphasizing the run game with them,” Matukewicz said recently when broaching the topic of the offensive front. “I’m very pleased with the output that we had (last Saturday) against a really good Nicholls defense. Now, it is in pass protection where we are wanting to see some growth.”

Through eight games this autumn, the Redhawks have started eight different players (Rashad Turner, Clive Truschel, Kobe Sixkiller, Tyson Miller, AJ Laux, Jamarcus Hill, Zack Gieg, and Marshakie Applewhite) among the five positions (10 players if you include the tight end position).

Of the five positions (left/right tackle, left/right guard, and center), you can add Chris Frye, McKel Brumfield, Trey Gibbs, and Tony Failla to the list of Redhawks who have gotten game reps this season.

“There are fundamental things that you want to see,” Matukewicz said of the unit, “but also being able to play as one.”

To add to the complexity of the situation, Turner (left and right tackle) and Truschel (left tackle and left guard) have started at two different positions, while Truschel replaced an injured Gieg at center during the recent win at Tennessee Tech.

“You have five guys who have to handle twist,” Matukewicz continued, “so, I think the reps will come and they will keep getting better for the team.”

Currently, the Redhawks rank seventh (123.9 yards per game) in their 10-team league in rushing average and ninth in sacks allowed (25).

Instant impact

The Redhawks have been capable of adding talent to their roster leading up to the start of training camp each season, and such was the case in 2023 late addition Zi’kef Johnson.

The sophomore defensive back was signed out of Independence Community College in Mississippi and has found a place in the Redhawk secondary.

“We felt like we might need some more depth,” Matukewicz said, “and we ended up picking him up.”

The Sumter, South Carolina native has played in seven games this fall and started three of them at cornerback.

“It’s kind of been a work in progress,” Matukewicz continued. “We’re trying to get him going.”

So far this fall, Johnson has made a total of eight tackles (seven unassisted) and had a pass breakup.

“I think that he is steadily improving,” Matukewicz said of the 6-foot-1, 178-pounder. “He’s gaining confidence, and he is getting a little more reps.”

Discipline needed

Eight games into the season and a common refrain from Matukewicz remains the lack of discipline that his team exhibits in terms of penalties.

“We are solving problems and getting better at things,” Matukewicz said. “Those are translating into wins. (But) I still feel like our Achilles heel is that we don’t play smart.”

SEMO ranks fifth in the Big South/OVC in penalties committed (50), but dead last among 10 teams in the amount of yards penalized (67-plus per game).

Nationally, the Redhawks rank 105th in penalty yards.

In their recent win over Nicholls, the Redhawks roughed the punter, which led to critical points being scored by the Colonels. SEMO also had a player commit an unsportsmanlike penalty that hindered an offensive drive.

“Dumb teams don’t win championships,” Matukewicz said. “That never happens.”