Getting to know Southeast Missouri State

How well do you know Kansas University’s opening football opponent, Southeast Missouri State?

Unless you live in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, or have a friend or relative in uniform for the Redhawks, your answer probably is: not so well.

Hopefully we can remedy that quickly before Saturday night’s 6 o’clock kickoff at Memorial Stadium.

Surely you’ve heard by now, first-year SEMO coach Tom Matukewicz’s squad had a flawless debut, drubbing a brand-new program, Missouri Baptist, 77-0 in its season opener.

It was a day for record-breaking and dominance.

The Redhawks manhandled their inexperienced foes, as you can witness for yourself in the game highlights provided by Southeast’s YouTube channel:

SEMO is an FCS program from the Ohio Valley Conference, that has adapted the slogan “brick by brick.” Translation: the team is in rebuilding mode. The Redhawks haven’t won consecutive games since 2010, so the Jayhawks shouldn’t have much trouble with them. But here are five Redhawks to watch.

No. 12 — Kyle Snyder, senior QB

It didn’t take a full game for Snyder to rack up some ridiculous numbers against an overmatched opponent. He led SEMO’s first seven scoring drives of the game, connected on 10 of 12 passes for 198 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for two more scores on six carries for 33 yards. He barely played at all in the second half, after Southeast took a 49-0 lead into the break.

No. 20 — DeMichael Jackson, junior RB

The Redhawks’ leading rusher in 2013 — 170 carries, 977 yards, four touchdowns — Jackson appears on the FCS watch list for the country’s top running back. It only took him eight carries to get to 82 yards and a TD in Week 1. And Jackson hauled in a 66-yard touchdown pass.

No. 43 — Roper Garrett, sophomore LB

A 6-foot, 236-pound middle backer in SEMO’s 3-4 defense, Garrett led his team with 10 total tackles vs. Missouri Baptist. He also began his season with 2.5 tackles for loss, a sack and two forced fumbles.

No. 4 — Spencer Davis, senior WR

A speedy, 5-foot-7 weapon for SEMO’s offense, Davis aims to make his presence felt in the return game, too. In the Redhawks’ opener, he brought an early punt 61 yards to set up the first of his team’s many touchdowns. He returned a kickoff 93 yards for a score in 2013, at Eastern Illinois. SEMO didn’t have to throw the ball much against Missouri Baptist, so he only caught two passes for 16 yards.

No. 1 — Paul McRoberts, junior WR

A tall, 6-foot-3 target for Snyder, McRoberts made the All-OVC preseason team. He established himself as the team’s top receiver in 2013, with 44 grabs, 646 yards and nine TDs. With SEMO dominating in its debut, he only caught three passes for 16 yards and a touchdown.

One last thing

SEMO hails from the “Show Me State,” across the border to the east. While on their way to Lawrence, the Redhawks stopped off in a place with which many KU fans are familiar. Even if it is now SEC country.