Secondary coming together for Southeast Missouri State football team

Southeast Missouri State football coach Tom Matukewicz and defensive coordinator Bryce Saia have envisioned what the team's ideal secondary would look like since they came to Cape Girardeau less than two years ago.

Even before then, as they worked together on various coaching staffs, they had the same plan for what types of defensive backs they'd have on their teams.

Saia can see the progress that had been made toward that goal, and said after the Redhawks' first full-pads practice Tuesday at Houck Stadium that the safeties and cornerbacks are close to that standard they'd strived for.

"We have always believed in taller, longer, athletic defensive backs," Saia said, "that if you ever get injured, which in today's game injury has to be part of your game plan, as a program or as a defensive unit you have to have backup plans. If you have tall, long, rangy athletes that can play more than one position -- all of the newcomers we're bringing in, most of them for the most part, they have that range to them."

At the team's first practice of the spring, Saia said when every new player arrived on campus this summer the team's two-deep would compare to that of a Football Bowl Subdivision program, and five days into practice he believes that's still the case.

"We are closer to that, yes," Saia said. "Now, we've got to stay healthy. There's a lot of kids walking around in splints and dehydrated and all that stuff, but I think that our two-deep will be just fine and we are getting closer to that going into our second year."

The transformation of the secondary occurred fairly quickly because of the players that were signed in February, including a few junior college transfers to fill an immediate void. Few of the defensive backs that were inherited by Matukewicz and his staff still remain, but Saia credited the ones that do for being invested in what they've been taught thus far.

Southeast Missouri State senior safety David Coley (14) and junior strong safety Taron Divens congratulate during practice Tuesday at Houck Stadium. (Laura Simon)

The Redhawks added six players to the secondary in their last recruiting class and also had the addition of cornerbacks coach Melvin Rice in January to replace Travis Fisher, who took a similar position at the University of Central Florida.

"I told them Day 1, we're working together at this, so if they make a mistake, just try to learn from it on film and try to limit those mental mistakes," Rice said. "Just come out and compete every day. I'm going to bring it, and I want them to bring it, too."

The Redhawks had holes to fill with both all-conference cornerback Tim Hamm-Bey and Reggie Jennings completing their eligibility last year, but they returned sophomore JJ Flye and junior Ryan Moore, who each saw action last year.

Flye's return to the field is unknown after he sustained skin and nerve damage when a firecracker went off in his right hand. Flye, who played in eight games and recorded 14 tackles as a true freshman, also had to have pins put in his wrist because of the July 4 incident.

Jamarl Holloway and Taron Divens, both junior transfers from Pearl River Community College who completed spring drills with the team, are two that have filled in for Flye thus far.

"We put a lot on their plate early, so these guys have a lot to learn and a lot to remember, a lot of technique and a lot of calls, but they've been doing a good job so far," Rice said.

Saia is focused on improving the overall knowledge of the secondary during the preseason and said he's thankful for the team's wide receiving-corps that pushes the defensive backs during each practice.

"I think being a smart player helps you play fast," Saia said. "And then I don't doubt their athleticism, they just need to continue to get polished up on their technique. You know, playing defensive back in today's game with the tempo and all of the new rules -- we can't even hardly touch those guys anymore -- it's not easy. It's hard to play back there, and the more they know about the game and the rules and the more they polish up on their technique they've got a chance."

Only one safety departs from last year's squad and two return with considerable experience.

Ron Davis played in all 12 games, starting 10, as a senior and was second on the team with 79 tackles.

Strong safety Eriq Moore returns after playing in every game and starting 12 as a sophomore. He recorded 65 tackles.

Senior safety David Coley had 33 tackles as he started five of the 12 games he played in last year.

"This year we've worked a lot on our physicality -- stronger at reception point, getting off blocks -- and I think that's become one of our strengths now that we're working on it so much," Moore said. "I think that was one of our weaknesses that we've changed, and it's starting to become one of our strengths."

Safeties coach and recruiting coordinator Eric Burrow has broken down techniques for the players to master before building on it.

"We want to focus on getting a great break, not just, 'How many picks do I have?'" Burrow said. "If we put together enough great breaks, we'll get picks. We're focusing on a good sprint-shimmy into a tackle. If you want to limit missed tackles, be a good sprint-shimmier. We're focusing on the process like we always do. Good shimmy, good vision and break and a lot of strip attempts, and those will lead to production in the season."

The Redhawks practice at Houck Stadium from 10 a.m. to noon today and will have their first scrimmage beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday.

"You worry about taking a step back or developing a bad habit over the summer, but we picked up where we left off, so I'm excited," Burrow said. "Guys are a real coachable group and working hard and getting better every day."