Southeast Missouri State football preview: Special teams

Kicker

Southeast Missouri State kicker Ryan McCrum answers questions during football media day earlier this month at the Show Me Center.Trent Singer

Ryan McCrum considers his 2015 season a disappointment after a breakout All-Ohio Valley Conference and All-American campaign the year prior.

But he's back for his senior year as the Redhawks' starting kicker with expectations to return to that level.

Placekicker Ryan McCrumLaura Simon ~ lsimon@semissourian.com

McCrum hit 9 of 16 field goals attempts a year ago, including a season-long 50-yarder, on the heels of an 18-of-23 campaign in 2014. He made four field goals that were at least 50 yards and a career-long 55-yarder that season.

Last year, he averaged 61.3 yards per kickoff and had 14 touchbacks; in 2014, those numbers were 62.1 and 31.

His holder will remain the same, with fifth-year senior Tyler Manne maintaining that role.

Punter Alex Knight can also handle kicking duties if needed.

Freshmen Jake Reynolds and Kendrick Tiller are behind both on the depth chart.

Coach's quote:

"[McCrum] has had a great summer. He's worked really hard, and in fall camp, I think he's been hitting the ball really well. ... hitting the ball well on kickoffs as well. It just kind of seems like we're seeing a different Ryan McCrum than we saw last year. Not that last year was horrible, but it just kind of wasn't what we expected after 2014. We had our first special teams meeting, and I said I wanted 2014 Ryan McCrum and not 2015 Ryan McCrum."

— Matt Martin, special teams coach

Player's quote:

"Of course the goal is going to be to try to go perfect but just keep on improving, make the field goals that are needed for our team to win games — like coach always brings up that we lost [by] a total of like 14 points for four games. A lot of those were dealing with field goals. I need to improve on that, make those field goals, so we can have a better record this year."

— Ryan McCrum, senior kicker

1 — The number of PATs Ryan McCrum has missed the last two seasons, during which he's made 69 of his attempts

2015 team numbers

9 of 16 field goals attempted (56 percent)

32 of 33 on extra points (97 percent)

54 kickoffs for 3,307 yards

61.2 yards per kickoff

40.6 net kick average

2015 individual numbers

McCrum — 9 of 16 field goals attempted, season-long of 50 yards, 3 of 3 from 20-29 yards, 3 of 6 from 30-39 yards, 2 of 6 from 40-49 yards, 1 of 1 from 50+ yards, 53 kickoffs, 14 touchbacks, 61.3 yards per kickoff

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Punter

Southeast Missouri State punter Alex Knight punts the ball during practice earlier this month at the Rosengarten Athletic Complex.Trent Singer

Alex Knight has achieved steady improvement over the past two years solely handling Southeast's punting duties, and he plans to continue on that trajectory for his senior year.

Knight, who averaged 44.8 yards on 64 punts last season, enters this year with several preseason accolades.

He was a second-team All-Ohio Valley Conference performer a year ago as well as an All-American.

He booted 18 punts 50 yards or farther, including a 65-yarder, and had 29 land inside the 20-yard line last year.

In 2014, he averaged 41.4 yards per punt, hit five at least 50 yards and had 13 downed inside the 20. His season-long was also 65 yards.

Although Knight's received the accolades, he'll get help from long snapper Zach Stagner, a Cape Girardeau Central product who impressed coaches enough to earn himself a scholarship during preseason camp.

Freshmen Jake Reynolds and Kendrick Tiller were brought in to back up Knight.

Coach's quote:

"I just expect [Alex] to do his job every time — come out there and know what our call is, know which direction that we're going to punt the ball, kick it to the best of his abilities, which I think those were on full display last year, and we expect him to build on top of that this year. And we expect him to just be a leader in that group — brought in some good, young players, but him and Ryan obviously have the most experience out of that group and want to show those guys the way but also continue to improve every day."

— Matt Martin, special teams coach

Player's quote

"I love it. I love the pressure. Since I was a little kid, I always loved taking the last shot in basketball. That's why I used to love kicking when I kicked my freshman year because you get to take the last kick. Now I'm punting, and Coach Tuke makes it so important. He really loves punt. He's like, 'Punt is the most important position.' He says to me, 'Alex, net 40 yards every single time,' so every time I hit a 55, 60-yard punt, I feel like, 'What's up, coach?' I get really excited because I know he looks at me, and he's like, 'Good job.' Especially with Coach Martin, it's a big deal. Our defense has been really solid, and so when I'm helping out the defense already and backing them up, that's huge because then our offense gets a shorter field and field position gets points."

— Alex Knight, senior punter

41 — Knight's career punting average, which ranks third all-time in Southeast's record book

2015 team numbers

66 punts for 2,890 yards

43.8 yards per punt

39.2 net punt average

2015 individual numbers

Knight — 44.8 yards per punt, season-long of 65 yards, 6 touchbacks, 12 fair catches, 29 inside the 20, 0 blocked

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Return specialists

Southeast Missouri State's Cameron Sanders carries the ball during practice earlier this month at the Rosengarten Athletic Complex.Trent Singer

The Redhawks showed some big-play ability in their return game in the latter half of last season.

Then-freshman Cameron Sanders returned a kickoff 99 yards — a school record — for a touchdown against two-time defending Ohio Valley Conference champion and Football Championship Subdivision national runner-up Jacksonville State in the team's second-to-last game of the season.

Paul McRoberts, since departed for the Los Angeles Rams after completing his four-year career, also returned a punt for a TD.

Sanders and Oklahoma State transfer C.J. Curry start the season atop the depth chart on kick returns, while freshman Al Young and Tremane McCullough will be Nos. 1 and 2, respectively, on punt returns. Fifth-year senior Tyler Manne is another option on punts.

The Redhawks ranked second in the OVC in kickoff returns, averaging 20.6 yards per return, and third in punt returns, averaging 9.6 yards per return.

Coach's quote:

"Bits and pieces — want more consistency there. I think we saw towards the end of the year what we can be with our punt returns for touchdowns and of course Cam returning the kickoff for a touchdown against Jacksonville State, who was No. 1 in the conference in covering kickoffs at the time. We've seen what we can do. Now we just need to do our best to do that every time and be a lot more consistent."

— Matt Martin, special teams coach

Player's quote:

"Coaches always preach special teams are our biggest playing field. You have to play special teams before you play offense or defense, and I just try to excel every day at doing special teams — trying to be a starter on every special teams like last year, just trying to make a difference."

— Cam Sanders, sophomore kick returner

3 — The number of punt and kick return touchdowns combined that the Redhawks scored last season, including two punt returns that occurred in less than 6 minutes against Tennessee Tech.

2015 team numbers

44 kick returns for 908 yards

26 punt returns 250 yards

20.6 yards per kick return

9.6 yards per punt return

1 kickoff returned for a touchdown

2 punts returned for touchdowns

2015 individual numbers

Sanders — 9 kick returns for 295 yards, 32.8 average, season-long of 99 yards, 1 touchdown

McCullough — 9 kick returns for 169 yards, 18.8 average, season-long of 37 yards

McRoberts — 14 punt returns for 162 yards, 11.6 average, season-long of 69 yards, 1 touchdown