Southeast Missouri State football team receives a timely reminder about ball security

In the moment, Southeast Missouri State football coach Tom Matukewicz was less-than-thrilled.

As his team's 12th practice of fall camp wound down Tuesday he put them through a live third-down scrimmage.

Twice during that scrimmage the offense fumbled the ball, which elicited a refresher course from Matukewicz on the importance of securing the ball during the Redhawks' post-practice huddle.

But once the players had departed he praised their energy and focus and took the positive that they'd "put some good film out there" to learn from.

"That's why you practice. Those guys that are fighting for that one more yard all of a sudden put the ball at risk, and our defense did a good job of exposing that," Matukewicz said. "It's just an opportunity to teach the running backs that you're not trying to get 10 yards, you're trying to get 1 yard. You don't run the same way. You've got to put them in those situations so that they can be in the moment so when it happens in a game -- because you only have 20, 30 seconds once that third down shows itself."

Matukewicz's emphasis on taking care of the ball -- and forcing turnovers on the defensive side of things -- took the Redhawks from tied for last in the league in turnover margin in 2014 to first in 2015.

This week Matukewicz has gotten a different look at his players as they've been practicing on the turf of Houck Stadium and in the rain.

"You appreciate adversity," Matukewicz said. "I think a coach would rather have rain than heat because...fatigue makes cowards of us all. It's hard to keep your focus and all that in the heat. I appreciate the cool weather, and we'll probably be on turf all week this week because of the fields."

The team also was introduced to a handful of offensive and defensive plays that Memphis, the opponent the Redhawks open the season against Sept. 3, runs.

The team caps its preseason practices with a scrimmage Saturday. It's set for 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and until then, Matukewicz is uncertain exactly what to expect from his offense this season.

"I think [what] it all comes down to offensively is the two-deep," Matukewicz said. "It's hard to really get good until you get that lineup situated. We're still trying to figure things out at tight end. We don't necessarily know who our quarterback is, so you're splitting reps and it's hard to get in a rhythm. I just think offensively it's hard until you set that two deep."

He's expected to name his starting quarterback -- Dante Vandeven or Jesse Hosket -- sometime after the scrimmage.

A decision on the tight end corps is also forthcoming. Junior Logan Larson, who had six catches for 65 yards in eight starts last season, remains sidelined with a hip injury.

Matukewicz said Jackson graduate Stephen Dunn, a junior, will be relied on at tight end. He played in 11 games, making two starts, and caught one pass for 20 yards last season.

Senior Zach Cox and sophomore Marquette Murdock are both in the mix as well.

Senior Lloyd Laufili Time, who is listed as a fullback, switched from linebacker this season and is an option at tight end, but he pulled his calf muscle and has yet to show what he can do in the new position.

"He gained a lot of weight and had a great summer then he pulled his calf, so he hasn't repped yet," Matukewicz said. "That was a guy we really wanted to see. We're hoping he gets in by Saturday so we can see if he's one of those two-deep guys."

The list for potential punt returners has been narrowed to fifth-year senior Tyler Manne, who returned six punts for 14 yards last season, senior Tremane McCullough and freshman Al Young, and ideally one will separate themselves from the rest this weekend.

"Stay healthy. Don't put the ball on the ground. Eliminate [missed assignments] and stupid penalties," Matukewicz said of his expectations for the scrimmage. "Then I hope to find a returner, name our long snapper and figure out our quarterback situation by Sunday."