Ryan McCrum is having a season to remember

Just one year ago, Southeast had a forgettable season posting only three wins. While multiple factors played into the subpar season, one glaring weak point was the team's special teams unit.

The Redhawks made only five field goals all season, three by Alex Knight, and two by Ryan McCrum. The longest field goal for each kicker was 38 yards, and they were a combined 0-3 in field goal attempts from 40 yards or more.

Enter coach Tom Matukewicz.

"It made me want to throw up," Matukewicz said when describing the statistics and video from last year's Redhawk kicking squad. He knew that changes and improvements needed to be made in order to compete and turn the program around, and that is exactly what happened.

"When we got here we felt like we needed to bring some more competition in," Matukewicz said. "We run an equal-opportunity program, you know, we're going to let people rise and fall based off of how well they practice. So we gave him [McCrum] his opportunity but also he knew right away that we were serious because we brought other guys in. We tried to have him work extremely hard because that's where confidence comes from is hard work."

McCrum was up for the challenge, and Matukewicz got exactly what he wanted from his kicker: hard work.

"They kept on bringing up how last year was such a disappointment," McCrum said. "It kind of brought me down, how I let down the team last year, and I didn't want that feeling again, so I was consistently practicing every day, a lot more than last year. No sitting around, just hanging around on the benches or whatever. I was out there consistently kicking."

Matukewicz took notice and was impressed with McCrum.

"Most importantly, he had the perfect attitude," Matukewicz said. "He really just went to work on his craft and tried to perfect his craft, and it's showing."

It's showing in an immense way, too. This year, McCrum has already made more than four times as many field goals as he did last year with a lot of football still left to be played. Not only has he increased his field goals made from two to 13 already, he has also extended his longest field goal from 38 yards last season, to 55 yards this season. He also has three other field goals of 50 yards or more to his credit this season to go along with the 55-yard bomb. He is one of only two kickers in all of college football who can say that.

"Considering last year I was probably one of the worst kickers in the nation, you know, I'm just thankful that I've been given this opportunity again to come back for a second season," McCrum said. "To think about being one of the best kickers in the nation -- playing soccer in high school I just never thought I'd be at a college level and being at that kind of level already."

Described by Matukewicz as "intense" and a "quiet competitor," McCrum has been able to come up big for the Redhawks all season and has been a reliable go-to player for Matukewicz.

"That guy has been the most consistent thing on our team, and we're appreciative of him and look forward to him to continue to keep going," Matukewicz said.

McCrum has been the definition of consistent since the start of the season, missing only three field goals all year, and being a part of many big moments. He opened the season going a perfect 8-8 and was averaging 40 yards per field goal before eventually missing a 46-yarder in a double overtime loss to Murray State earlier this season, a game in which he was called upon six times and only missed the uprights twice. Whenever his number is called, he is ready.

"When it comes down to a situation where it's going to come down to one kick or one extra point or anything like that, you're just like 'OK, it's time to step up and do my job,'" McCrum said. "Everybody says kickers live for these kinds of moments and, yeah, we do, we really do."

McCrum's success comes from his hard work and hours of practicing, however, his biggest motivation has been making sure that he never lets his team down. The memory of the 2013 season has not faded away.

"Not letting the team down again, honestly, that's been in the back of my mind since last year ended," McCrum said. "I'm not going to let that happen again this year."

McCrum now has his sights set on not only performing for his team, but trying to end the season as the top kicker in the conference.

"Trying to become the best OVC kicker, I mean, that's been the day one goal," McCrum said.