Southeast Missouri State QB Dante Vandeven readies for first collegiate start

Southeast Missouri State offensive coordinator Sherard Poteete was just about to give his response for what true freshman Dante Vandeven's biggest challenges will be as the Redhawks' new starting quarterback when Vandeven walked over to listen to his coach's answer.

Vandeven, a Jackson graduate, laughed and said, "He doesn't tell me this stuff in the room so I want to know, you know? I have to find out in the paper."

Vandeven's interruption following Tuesday's practice at the Rosengarten Athletic Complex provided the perfect segway into Poteete's thoughts on his QB.

"I don't think much fazes him," Poteete said with a smile. "He's got a great demeanor about himself, he's got a great personality and he pretty much just takes things in stride.

"He's far beyond, I think, most freshmen. I think he was coached well coming in, ahead of the curve, and he's done nothing but pick things up and he's just improved since he's been here."

Vandeven, who helped lead Jackson to the Class 5 quarterfinals his junior and senior seasons, is set to make his first collegiate start Saturday against Division II Shorter University. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Houck Stadium.

Southeast Missouri State University quarterback Dante Vandeven practices on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2015, in Cape Girardeau. (Laura Simon)

Vandeven will be the first true freshman to start for the Redhawks since Matt Scheible did so against Murray State on Nov. 18, 2008.

As a junior, Scheible led Southeast to its only Ohio Valley Conference championship and was a first-team all-conference selection.

"It feels good," Vandeven said. "It feels amazing, actually. I really like how the guys really respect me and how they really all believe in me and what I can do with my talents. The little mistakes I have in practice they get on me because they know I can do better and they know I can play to my full potential, I guess."

The 6-foot-2, 190-pound freshman impressed in his collegiate debut against nationally-ranked Indiana State on Saturday.

He replaced starter Tay Bender, who was in the No. 3 quarterback jersey on Tuesday, in the third quarter with the game tied.

The Redhawks trailed 21-7 at the end of the third. Vandeven threw an interception on his second drive, but led Southeast on three touchdown drives in the final quarter.

He completed a 26-yard pass to senior receiver Paul McRoberts as time expired to pull the Redhawks within one, but the two-point conversion pass was incomplete as ISU held on to win 29-28.

"I mean, Dante was able to when a blitzer wasn't picked up last week, he was able to move the sticks with his legs," Poteete said. "He did a good job. He was pretty accurate in his passing game. The one thing that he's got to learn is that he's not in high school anymore and that*...when you throw it back across the field, safeties move at a little different speed than they did back in high school."

Vandeven completed 12 of 17 passes for 115 yards and rushed for 28 yards on four carries. He was named the OVC's newcomer of the week and STATS FCS freshman of the week for his performance.

"I came into this season just like wanting to be an understudy. Just try and grab the ropes and support the Redhawks and be a good team player," Vandeven said. "God has his ways, and I ended up where I am right now."

Vandeven learned he had become Southeast's No. 1 quarterback when he was "scavenging the internet" and saw this week's depth chart on Twitter.

The response from Southeast fans and members of the Jackson and Cape Girardeau communities to Vandeven's debut and his rise to the role of starting quarterback has been huge.

"My momma raised me to be humble, and that's all I'm doing. That's how I live my life," Vandeven said. "I love the support from my community. It's really cool having a whole community like Jackson or like Cape be there and have your back. It's just an honor. It's a cool experience."

Southeast coach Tom Matukewicz said Vandeven earned the respect of his teammates because "he doesn't talk about it. He just goes to work."

Maintaining that levelheadedness is a challenge that Matukewicz expects Vandeven will face as he becomes accustomed to his new role.

"Just trying to be the same guy even though everybody on Twitter is saying he's the greatest thing ever," Matukewicz said. "Those same people are going to tell him he's terrible if we lose the game. I think he has a good understanding because he comes from a great high school program. First of all, he's well coached. Second of all, those fans -- they'll dang boo you out of there if you don't play well. So all of that has prepared him for this opportunity."

Vandeven's focused on becoming the leader his team expects him to be in the offense. McRoberts, who he said is doing "a great job at being my little mentor" commended his QB after the loss and said he'd told him, "Bring that Jackson swag and lead us."

Vandeven's already thought of a new phrase for what he's going to bring to Southeast.

"To think about it now, the Jackson swag, that's kind of gone since high school's gone," Vandeven said. "But that Redhawk swag is kind of nice now."