Southeast Missouri vs. Missouri Baptist

Game Information
Date: Thursday, Aug. 28
Kickoff: 6 p.m., CT
Redhawks Walk: 4 p.m., CT
Site: Missouri National Guard Field/Houck Stadium (10,000)
Surface: FieldTurf
Series History: First Meeting
Forecast: Sunny, 92 degrees
Head Coaches: Tom Matukewicz (1-0 overall; 0-0 at Southeast; 0-0 OVC). Jason Burianek (0-0 overall; 0-0 at Missouri Baptist).

Media Coverage
Radio: ESPN 92.9 FM; Real Rock 99.3 FM (Erik Sean, Rick Wieser, Todd Bonacki)
Video: OVC Digital Network (Todd Richards, Lawrence Brookins)
Live Stats: GoSoutheast.com
Twitter Updates: @GoSoutheast
Southeast Missouri Game Notes

Redhawks Open Season Thursday
Southeast Missouri opens its 2014 season when it hosts Missouri Baptist Thursday. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m., CT, at Missouri National Guard Field/Houck Stadium.

Take a Kid to the Game Night
Thursday is Take a Kid to the Game Night at Missouri National Guard Field/Houck Stadium. All kids 14 and under are free with paid admission from an adult.

Matukewicz Era Begins
The Tom Matukewicz era begins at Southeast when the Redhawks take the field against Missouri Baptist. Matukewicz, the 13th head coach in Southeast football history, was hired on Dec. 18, 2013. This is Matukewicz's first head coaching job.

Another Year is Here
The 2014 campaign marks the 110th season of Southeast football. The Redhawks own an all-time record of 436-500-36. That mark includes an 89-170 record at the Division I level. Southeast moved to the Football Championship Subdivision in 1991.

Brick-By-Brick
A rebuild in Southeast football is underway and the Redhawks are laying their foundation for a turnaround "brick-by-brick." Tom Matukewicz's "brick-by-brick" mantra is quickly changing the landscape of the football program. Coach Tuke's "brick-by-brick" philosophy is built on the cornerstones of attitude, effort, discipline and passion.

Season-Opening Games
Southeast is 8-15 all-time in season-opening games since joining the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision. The Redhawks last opened a season with a win in 2009 (72-3, vs. Quincy).

Redhawks in Home-Openers
The Redhawks are 14-9 in home-openers since moving to the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision. Southeast came away with a win in its home-opener six of the last eight years.

Five OVC Teams in Action Thursday
Southeast is one of five Ohio Valley Conference teams kicking off their respective 2014 seasons Thursday. The other matchups involving OVC teams are Eastern Kentucky at Robert Morris, #11 Eastern Illinois at Minnesota, Union at Murray State and Kentucky Christian at Tennessee Tech. This year is the 67th season of OVC football.

McRoberts Earns Preseason All-OVC Honors
Junior wide receiver Paul McRoberts was named to the 2014 Preseason All-Ohio Valley Conference Football Team, the league announced during its annual media day on July 21. A native of St. Louis, Mo., McRoberts appeared in 12 games and made 10 starts as Southeast's top receiver last season. He had 44 catches for 646 yards and nine touchdowns, averaging 14.7 yards per reception. McRoberts led the Redhawks in scoring with 54 points, while ranking seventh in the OVC in receptions (3.7) and receiving yards (53.8) per game.

Snyder Named Starting Quarterback
Head Coach Tom Matukewicz named Kyle Snyder as Southeast's starting quarterback following the team's final intrasquad scrimmage on Aug. 16. Snyder made his first career start in last year's season-opening loss at Southeastern Louisiana. He completed 49-of-105 passes for 617 yards and six touchdowns in seven games and four starts under center in 2013. Snyder also ran for 127 yards and two TDs on 49 carries. He is one of two transfer quarterbacks from the Mid-American Conference on this year's roster. Snyder joined the Redhawks from Ohio University, while teammate Alex Niznak came to Southeast from Central Michigan.

New Look Sets
The Redhawks switched to a fresh spread offense and pro style 3-4 defense in 2014. Southeast previously ran an option-based offense and 4-3 defense.

Team Council
The newly-elected team serves as the governing body of Southeast's football program. This year's team council includes Garret Baker, Ron Coleman, Spencer Davis, Roper Garrett, Reggie Jennings, Paul McRoberts, Corey Porter, Jon Slania, Kyle Snyder, Matt Starks and Wisler Ymonice. The purpose of this committee is to enhance leadership opportunities both on and off the field. These individuals are also the captains of the 2014 team.

Jackson Earns Spot on CFPA Running Back Award Watch List
Southeast junior DeMichael Jackson was selected to the 2014 College Football Performance Awards Running Back Award Watch List. The initial watch list includes 38 returning performers, vying for the top running back award in the Football Championship Subdivision. Jackson led the Redhawks in rushing with 977 yards and four touchdowns on 170 carries last season.

Redhawks Eighth in OVC Preseason Poll
Southeast was picked eighth in this year's OVC Preseason Poll. The Redhawks tallied 34 points in the overall voting by league Head Coaches and Sports Information Directors. Jacksonville State was tabbed the preseason favorite with 118 points and 10 first-place votes, while Eastern Illinois (110 pts., 4 first-place votes) and Tennessee State (107 pts., 4 first-place votes) rounded out the top-three. Eastern Kentucky (82 pts.), UT Martin (79 pts.), Murray State (54 pts.), Tennessee Tech (48 pts.), Southeast and Austin Peay (16 pts.) completed the balloting. JSU running back DaMarcus James and TSU defensive lineman Anthony Bass were selected the preseason OVC Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year, respectively.

About Missouri Baptist
The 2014 season marks the first year for the Missouri Baptist football program. MBU, an NAIA affiliate, is part of the American Midwest Conference. The Spartans are under the direction of head coach Jason Burianek.