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Postgame NotesCAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Southeast Missouri (1-0) began the
Tom Matukewicz era with a 77-0 rout of Missouri Baptist Thursday night in front of a crowd of 7,143 at Missouri National Guard Field/Houck Stadium.
The 77 points were the most Southeast scored in a game during its NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision tenure. The last time the Redhawks scored over 70 points was in a 72-3 victory over Quincy in their 2009 season-opener.
"I was proud of our team and I thought we played well," said Matukewicz. "It was a great atmosphere tonight and awesome energy. Overall, I liked our execution."
The game was delayed a half-hour due to lightning before a line of motorcycles revved up the Redhawks as they took the field for their season-opener.
Southeast scored on its first seven possessions and never looked back.
Kyle Snyder scored the first touchdown of the season for the Redhawks on a 1-yard run that was set up by a 61-yard punt return by
Spencer Davis. Snyder's TD came with 11:58 left in the first quarter.
After MBU punter Tyler Hach fumbled the snap on a 4
th-and-15, Southeast took over on downs at the Spartans 25-yardline. On the next play,
DeMichael Jackson broke free a 25-yard touchdown run down the far sideline to push the Redhawks lead to 14-0 at the 7:33 mark.
Southeast forced MBU to punt again and proceeded to cap a 4-play, 84-yard march when Jackson caught a screen pass from Snyder and dashed 66 yards to make it 21-0 with 1:27 remaining.
The Redhawks tacked on another 28 points in the second quarter. Snyder threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to
Paul McRoberts and hit paydirt on a 5-yard run.
Ron Coleman then scored on a 1-yard run and
Joshua Wilson recovered a fumble in the end zone.
Coleman moved to ninth all-time at Southeast with his 14
th career rushing touchdown.
Southeast continued to have its way with the Spartans, scoring twice more in each of the third and fourth quarters.
Central Michigan transfer quarterback
Alex Niznak scored his first career rushing touchdown on a 1-yard run with 8:19 left in the third quarter.
Lewis Washington crossed the goal line on a 12-yard jaunt to push the Redhawks lead to 63-0 at the 4:07 mark.
Lennies McFerren and Chaffee native
Tyson Estes ended the scoring in the final period.
McFerren busted loose for a 28-yard touchdown run and Estes scored his first career touchdown on a 1-yard plunge to polish off the victory.
Southeast racked up 516 yards of total offense and averaged 9.6 yards per play against MBU.
Snyder paved the way, completing 10-of-12 passes for 198 yards and two touchdowns. Additionally, he ran for 33 yards and two touchdowns on six carries, and completed passes to nine different receivers.
"Kyle did a good job of distributing the ball and he managed the offense well," commented Matukewicz.
Jackson finished with 148 all-purpose yards, including a game-high 82 on the ground.
Special teams wise, the Redhawks kicked a perfect 11-of-11 extra points, seven of which came from
Ryan McCrum who made only eight all of last season.
"I give a high grade to our special teams," said Matukewicz. "They are getting better."
Defensively,
Roper Garrett turned in a game-high 10 tackles, one sack, two forced fumbles and 2.5 tackles for loss.
Wisler Ymonice followed with six tackles and an interception. The interception was the first of Ymonice's career.
Southeast had 11 tackles for loss, three sacks and limited MBU to just 81 total yards on the night.
The Redhawks improved to 9-15 all-time in season-opening games since joining the FCS.
Southeast returns to action when it visits Big 12 Conference foe Kansas on Sept. 6.