Khalani Riddick: The Redhawks' dual threat making waves in the OVC

Senior defensive back Khalani Riddick has made an impact this season for the Redhawks, playing a key role in one of the most complete defenses in the OVC.

Riddick enters his second year on the team, and has already improved on his stats from the year prior. Riddick currently has amassed 67 total tackles, already 30 more than last season, currently ranking him second on the team.

Not only does Riddick contribute defensively to the Redhawks, but also is the team’s punt returner, gaining yardage on the offensive side of the ball. Through punt returns alone, Riddick has amassed 204 yards, enough to land him as second in the OVC among punt returners.

Riddick attributes his energy and determination to the love of the sport, saying this drives his play.

“You gotta love it. I love this sport. I've been doing it since I was little. This is my joy being out here with my teammates, being able to make plays for my team to help us win. I just love it. I love every part of it,” Riddick said.

During SEMO’s game against Lindenwood, Riddick showcased his talents by coming up with a one-handed interception despite the harsh conditions restoring possession to the Redhawks.

Riddick stated that he was able to make the play through a combination of training, and sheer determination.

“Repetition for real. Sometimes in practice, I’ve made a couple plays like that before. I really don't even know how to explain it. I saw the ball, I wanted it, so I had to bring it in,” Riddick said.

Head coach Tom Matukewicz commented on Riddick, saying that the senior has impressed him so far this season.

“He's had a great year. And I tell the kids all the time, if your seniors go out playing their best ball, you've probably had a good year, and Kalani is one of them. Leaving playing his best ball. And so just super impressed with how he's playing his senior year,” Matukewicz said.

Defensive Coordinator Ricky Coon said that Riddick’s coachability has helped grow him as an athlete, working with not only Coon himself, but also other coaches specific to his position.

“[He’s] worked really hard to kind of learn the scheme. We've had a couple different DB coaches and things, and so he's done a really good job being steady and taking coaching and making plays for us. He’s been a good tackler, and one of the leading tacklers, on our defense, and had a phenomenal interception last week. And really good growth and progression coming from a junior college and done a nice job fitting in,” Coon said.

Although Riddick is currently finding success at the division one level, that was not always the case, as during his time in junior college, he sustained an injury that could have ended his athletic career.

“I didn't even think I would be here. My last year in JUCO, I broke my ankle, in the middle of the season, so I only played like five, four games. Then everybody I was talking to stopped talking to me, and then coach Tuke came, said he liked my film and gave me a shot, even though I broke my ankle. It was just a blessing that he took the chance on me and still gave me the opportunity to come here and show what I got,” Riddick said.

While Riddick has accomplished so much this season personally, he has his eyes set on more, and a hunger to keep competing for the rest of the season.

“ I really want to get to these playoffs, do good in the playoffs and try to win it all. I want to go all the way to the national championship. So that's really my personal goal. I want to go far in the playoffs. I’ve never been far in the playoffs before, and I want to do it here,” Riddick said.

The Redhawk’s next game is senior night on Nov. 16 at 1 p.m. against the Western Illinois Leathernecks in Cape Girardeau Mo.