Notebook: McCrum's late kick sends Southeast Missouri State football team past Southern Illinois

All the Southeast Missouri State coaches and players describe kicker Ryan McCrum the same way.

They say he's a "head case" and needs to learn to move on from mistakes.

"I mean, it's true," McCrum said with a smile. "I do linger on things, but I was worse last season. I'll continue to improve on that. Luckily, I was able to get past it right there."

After three missed field goals Saturday night in a tight game against Southern Illinois, McCrum made a 42-yard field goal with 5.6 seconds left that gave the Redhawks a 27-24 win over the Salukis.

"Once I got up there I was anxious to get the kick over with, but I was ready for it," McCrum said.

The All-Ohio Valley Conference kicker said that field goal is "definitely top two" in his Southeast career and might be No. 1, with a field goal made just before halftime in the Redhawks' upset win over then nationally-ranked Southeastern Louisiana a close second.

During the Redhawks final drive down the field McCrum was aware that he would be sent back out for the attempt.

He'd missed a 42-yarder wide right with 9:03 left in the first quarter, a 38-yarder wide left with 1:00 left in the second quarter and a 39-yarder wide left with 6:05 left in the game.

"I pretty much just got out of my rhythm," McCrum said. "I was warming up and everything and felt good, but I was rushing it. Last season I got into a rhythm, I became more relaxed and everything, and tonight I just got out of my rhythm and rushed everything."

Quarterback Tay Bender said he had one thought when McCrum took the field with less than six seconds left: "We're going to win."

When asked to explain why he was so confident Bender replied, "That's what he does best. He missed those three so he could make this one."

Southeast running backs coach and special teams coordinator Matt Martin always tells McCrum to aim right because he usually misses wide left.

His holder, Tyler Manne, made sure to let him know that when they went out for the final field goal.

"Tyler Manne even reminded me while we were on the field," McCrum said. "I was stepping off and he goes, 'Right upright. You have this.'"

McCrum, who also earned third-team Sports Network All-American honors last year, broke the Redhawks' single-season record for field goals made last season. He made 18 of 23 attempts and four were 50-yards or longer.

Prior to the start of the season he said his goal was to miss one fewer than last season, which leaves him with room for one more miss over the final nine games of the season.

"From here on out I plan on going perfect," McCrum said.

Turnover battle

Southern Illinois quarterback Mark Iannotti fumbles the ball after a sack by Southeast Missouri's Kendall Donnerson, left, which Roper Garrett, right, recovered for 20 yards during the fourth quarter Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015 at Houck Stadium. (Fred Lynch)

Perched on the Southeast sideline was a reminder for the Redhawks.

A football attached to a metal post with a sign that states "The football is everything" is at every practice and every game.

Matukewicz placed an emphasis in the offseason on ball security.

The Redhawks committed five turnovers in their 50-23 loss to SIU last season. They didn't have any in Saturday night's win.

Meanwhile the Redhawks defense, which had a goal to force three turnovers, forced seven SIU turnovers. The Salukis lost four fumbles and quarterback Mark Iannotti threw three interceptions.

"We picked it up a little bit more, seeing our defense go and get those turnovers," receiver Paul McRoberts said. "It's like, 'Let's help our defense a little bit and we stuck with it instead of getting frustrated and got it going."

Iannotti finished with 294 yards passing and two touchdowns and 41 yards rushing and a score. He was sacked twice. He had more than 400 yards passing and 100 yards rushing in the Salukis' season opener at Indiana.

"I don't know that people really know how good Mark Iannoti is," Matukewicz said. "He is a really good player. *... We won't face another guy like him, so that's first. Number two, I just think there was pressure and some disguises. He ended up throwing some bad balls there, but he's a really good football player. I just think coach (Bryce) Saia and the defensive coaches did a good job preparing our defense."

For the second consecutive week a Southeast linebacker was ejected from the game for targeting.

Chad Meredith was ejected with 6:26 left in the first quarter. Kendall Donnerson was ejected in the first quarter of Southeast's season-opening loss to Missouri.

Donnerson picked up the slack against the Salukis without Meredith and finished with eight tackles. He also recorded his first career sack and forced two fumbles.

"We play a lot of players and we talk about all the time -- 'You're one play away,'" Matukewicz said. "We've got to first of all stop freaking getting ejected because we're targeting people. Hopefully we can learn that lesson. Two is that happens. You're one play away from playing, so you've got to prepare for your opportunity and that'll be a great teachable moment. I tell those guys that are upset as much as they can they've got to prepare because you can go out there and play 80 snaps when you thought you were going to play 10. That's how life kind of works. You don't always get to pick your opportunities. When they come you've got to be ready."

Jackson's night

Southeast Missouri State's DeMichael Jackson carries for 52 yards against Southern Illinois during the second quarter Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015 at Houck Stadium. (Fred Lynch)

Senior running back DeMichael Jackson had a game-high 186 yards rushing for the Redhawks.

The Redhawks finished the game with 385 yards of offense and 217 of that came on the ground.

"We came with a gameplan, open up the playbook, and we did exactly that," Jackson said. "We ran the ball hard, linemen did their job. The line played unbelievable. The fullbacks and receivers blocked on the perimeter and they just made it easier for me."

Bender completed 16 of 29 passes for 159 yards after completing 12 of 22 for just 56 yards against Missouri. He rushed for 27 yards.

"You almost see a quarterback almost literally growing up right in front of your eyes," Matukewicz said. "You watch these series and every series he seems to get a little better. To make that play on fourth down says a lot about him. He'll be the first to tell you that he needs to play better, and we need to coach him better. It is what it is."