Austin Peay (3-3, 1-2 OVC) vs. Southeast Missouri (3-2, 1-1 OVC)
Date: Saturday, October 13, 2018
Kickoff: 1 p.m., CT
Location: Cape Girardeau, Mo.
Stadium: Houck Field (10,000)
Surface: Field Turf
Weather Forecast: Partly Cloudy, 64 degrees
Series History: SEMO leads, 15-7
Last Meeting: APSU 38, SEMO 31 (Oct. 21, 2017 / Clarksville, Tenn.)
Head Coaches: Tom Matukewicz (19-32 overall; 18-32 at SEMO; 13-20 OVC). Will Healy (11-18 overall; 11-18 at APSU; 8-11 OVC).
Media Coverage
Radio: Real Rock 99.3 FM;
ESPN 1220 AM (Erik Sean, Rick Wieser)
Video: ESPN+
Live Stats: GoSoutheast.com
Twitter: @SEMOFootball
Southeast Missouri Notes
Redhawks Return Home
Southeast Missouri (3-2, 1-1) hosts Austin Peay (3-3, 1-2) during its Homecoming weekend Saturday. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m., CT, at Houck Field.
Follow the Redhawks
Fans can listen to Saturday's game live on the radio at Real Rock 99.3 FM and SEMO ESPN 1220 AM. Erik Sean and Rick Wieser will call the action. Video can be accessed online at ESPN+. Live stats are available at GoSoutheast.com. Twitter updates provided @SEMOFootball.
Purple Ribbons
The Redhawk football team will wear purple ribbon stickers on their helmets Saturday against Austin Peay. The purple ribbons are to support the TeamUp Against Domestic Violence initiative. October is TeamUp Against Domestic Violence month.
Series History
Southeast Missouri leads its all-time series against Austin Peay by a count of 15-7. The Redhawks are 7-1 in their last eight meetings with the Governors. SEMO beat APSU in each of its last three games against the Governors at Houck Field.
Homecoming Games
The Redhawks own a 13-14 record on their Homecoming since joining the NCAA Division I ranks in 1991. Southeast Missouri goes for a win on homecoming for the second-straight year. The Redhawks beat Tennessee Tech (Oct. 14, 2017), 31-3, last season. SEMO meets Austin Peay on its Homecoming for the fourth time in 2018. The Governors are 1-2 on the Redhawks Homecoming. SEMO hosted APSU during its homecoming in 1994 (W, 31-10), 2009 (L, 14-24) and 2011 (W, 17-13).
Good to be Home
Southeast Missouri plays at home for only the second time this season and first in over a month when it welcomes Austin Peay Saturday. SEMO is 1-0 at Houck Field after beating Dayton, 40-21, on Sept. 8. The Redhawks will be at home for four of their final six regular-season contests.
Last Time Against Austin Peay
The Redhawks came up short in a 38-31 loss to Austin Peay on Oct. 21, 2017. Southeast Missouri trailed, 35-7, with 9:44 left to play in the third quarter before outscoring APSU, 24-3, the rest of the way. Jesse Hosket, who threw for a career-high 348 yards, tossed three second-half touchdowns, including two in the fourth quarter to lead the Redhawks ferocious comeback. SEMO lost to the Governors in Clarksville for the first time since 1991.
Two-Game Home Stand
Southeast Missouri plays back-to-back home games for the only time in 2018 starting this weekend. After their matchup with Austin Peay, the Redhawks turn around to host Ohio Valley Conference leader Jacksonville State (Oct. 20). SEMO will wear special pink jerseys to raise breast cancer awareness and honor individuals affected by cancer when the Gamecocks come to town.
OVC Home Openers
Southeast Missouri is 13-14 all-time in Ohio Valley Conference home-openers. The Redhawks are 4-0 in such games under head coach Tom Matukewicz. SEMO beat Tennessee State (28-21, 2014), Murray State (27-10, 2015), Eastern Illinois (21-14, 2016) and Eastern Kentucky in OVC home-openers with Matukewicz at the helm.
Homecoming History
Here is a record of Southeast Missouri's Homecoming matchups since the Redhawks joined the NCAA Division I ranks:
10/21/91 vs. Tennessee Tech W, 34-31
10/31/92 vs. UT Martin W, 37-13
11/6/93 vs. Eastern Kentucky L, 21-35
10/29/94 vs. Austin Peay W, 31-10
10/7/95 vs. Tennessee Tech W, 33-12
10/26/96 vs. Middle Tennessee W, 16-13
10/11/97 vs. Tennessee Tech L, 14-17
10/31/98 vs. Middle Tennessee L, 19-21
10/9/99 vs. Tennessee Tech L, 7-21
10/21/00 vs. Murray State L, 28-38
10/20/01 vs. Murray State L, 35-45
10/19/02 vs. Eastern Illinois L, 27-44
10/4/03 vs. Eastern Illinois W, 30-17
10/30/04 vs. UT Martin W, 35-7
10/29/05 vs. Murray State W, 52-21
10/21/06 vs. Eastern Kentucky L, 21-27
10/20/07 vs. Murray State L, 17-31
10/25/08 vs. Tennessee State W, 27-20OT
10/10/09 vs. Austin Peay L, 14-24
10/30/10 vs. UT Martin W, 24-17
10/22/11 vs. Austin Peay W, 17-13
10/20/12 vs. UT Martin L, 17-27
10/26/13 vs. Eastern Kentucky L, 7-31
10/4/14 vs. Tennessee State W, 28-21
10/17/15 vs. Eastern Kentucky L, 10-27
11/5/16 vs. #2 Jacksonville State L, 10-17
10/14/17 vs. Tennessee Tech W, 31-3
Consecutive Home Wins
With a win Saturday, Southeast Missouri will put together back-to-back home victories for the second-straight season and third time under head coach Tom Matukewicz. The Redhawks beat Eastern Kentucky (29-10 on Sept. 30) and Tennessee Tech (31-3 on Oct. 14) for those wins a year ago. SEMO had its best home winning streak (3 games) under Matukewicz in 2014.
Three Wins and Counting
The Redhawks recorded their third win of the season with a 70-38 drubbing of Tennessee Tech (Oct. 6). Southeast Missouri, now 3-2 this year, already matched its total of wins from each of the last two seasons. SEMO did not get its third win until its final game (Nov. 18) in 2017. The Redhawks five wins in 2014 are presently the most in a season under head coach Tom Matukewicz.
More Records Fall
Southeast Missouri scored 70 points in its latest win at Tennessee Tech (Oct. 6), its most against a Division I opponent. The Redhawks also piled up a single game school record 692 yards of total offense. SEMO's +32 margin of victory was the team's larges on the road since the Redhawks beat Austin Peay, 44-15 (+29), on Nov. 7, 2015.
Lighting it Up
The 70 points at Tennessee Tech (Oct. 6) marked Southeast Missouri's third-largest single game point total in the Redhawks NCAA Division I history. SEMO hit the 70-point mark on two other occasions against non-Division I foes -- 77, vs. Missouri Baptist (Aug. 28, 2014) and 72, vs. Quincy (Sept. 3, 2009).
Strong Start
Southeast Missouri started strong in its recent 70-38 victory at Tennessee Tech (Oct. 6), scoring three touchdowns in the first eight minutes of the contest. Daniel Santacaterina threw a 6-yard pass to Kristian Wilkerson (12:27), Aaron Alson blocked a punt recovered in the end zone by Taylen Waller (10:30) and Zion Custis scored on a 24-yard run (7:10) to grab the Redhawks a quick 21-0 lead. The Redhawks ended up scoring 49 first-half points, matching their second-most first-half points in a game during their NCAA Division I era.
School Record in Passing Yards
Southeast Missouri tallied a school record 483 passing yards at Tennessee Tech (Oct. 6). A total of 10 different receivers caught a pass in that game. Kristian Wilkerson paved the way with seven receptions, while Jerrick Orr (4), Colby Cornett (3), Kobe Bryer (3), Aaron Alston (2), Eain Roberts (2), Taylon Waller (1), Zion Custis (1), Gavin Webb (1) and Zack Smith (1) followed.
100-Yard Receivers
Jerrick Orr and Colby Cornett each collected 100 receiving yards in a game for the first time in their careers at Tennessee Tech (Oct. 6). Orr had four receptions for 121 yards and a touchdown, and Cornett registered three catches for 115 yards and two TDs. It was the first time two Redhawk receivers had over 100 yards in a game since 2014 (Paul McRoberts, 117 and Spencer Davis, 102 vs. Austin Peay).
Third-Best Passing Mark
Daniel Santacaterina's 395 passing yards at Tennessee Tech (Oct. 6) are the third-most in a game by a Southeast Missouri quarterback. Santacaterina surpassed former SEMO quarterback and current Redhawks offensive coordinator Jeromy McDowell (391 yards, at Southern Illinois, Sept. 8, 2001) for the third-place spot.
Santacaterina Gets Second OVC Newcomer of the Week Honor
Southeast Missouri quarterback Daniel Santacaterina was named Ohio Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week on Oct. 7, securing his second OVC Newcomer of the Week award this season. A native of Geneva, Illinois, Santacaterina completed 20-of-27 passes for 395 yards and four touchdowns in leading SEMO to a record-breaking performance in a 70-38 win over Tennessee Tech. The 70 points were the most-ever scored by the Redhawks against a Division I opponent while the team set a school record for total yards (692). The 395 passing yards were the third-most ever by a Redhawk quarterback. Santacaterina was not sacked and did not throw an interception after having thrown four picks in his previous start at Eastern Kentucky (Sept. 22). He had six completions of over 20 yards and threw touchdown passes of six, 10, 60 and 69 yards. Santacaterina currently ranks 16th nationally in passing touchdowns (11), 22nd in passing efficiency (150.7) and 30th in points responsible for (14.4/game). Murray State running back D.J. Penick (Offensive), Austin Peay defensive end Nate Howard (Defensive) and Tennessee Tech kicker Nick Madonia (Specialist) rounded out this week's honorees.
Triple Threat
The Redhawks scored a touchdown on offense, special teams and defense in its win at Tennessee Tech (Oct. 6). All three of those scores came in the first half. Taylen Waller recovered a blocked punt by Aaron Alston in the end zone and Zach Hall recovered a fumble for a touchdown for those special teams and defensive scores. Southeast Missouri added eight other touchdowns on offense.
Freshmen Produce
Freshmen Aaron Alston, Zion Custis and Geno Hess all had strong performances at Tennessee Tech (Oct. 6). Alston blocked a punt and caught two passes for 62 yards, while Custis ran the ball 14 times for 66 yards and two touchdowns. Hess, meanwhile, gained 64 yards on 11 carries. A total of 14 freshmen have seen action this season.
Against the OVC
Fifth-year Southeast Missouri head coach Tom Matukewicz is 13-20 in Ohio Valley Conference play. Matukewicz has at least one win against seven of the eight league schools. Jacksonville State is the only OVC team he hasn't beat. Here is a breakdown of Matukewicz'a records in the conference:
vs. Austin Peay 3-1
vs. Eastern Illinois 1-3
vs. Eastern Kentucky 1-4
vs. Jacksonville State 0-4
vs. Murray State 3-1
vs. Tennessee State 1-2
vs. Tennessee Tech 3-2
vs. UT Martin 1-3
Sack Tracker
The Redhawk defense has recorded a sack in 12 of its last 13 games dating back to last season. Justin Swift and Omardrick Douglas lead the team with two sacks each. Southeast Missouri led the Ohio Valley Conference and ranked sixth in the Football Championship Subdivision with 37 sacks in 2017.
Tough Defense
Southeast Missouri's defense allowed only six points on a season-high five Redhawk turnovers at Eastern Kentucky (Sept. 22). Those points came by way of a 29-yard field goal in the first quarter and 41-yard field goal in the fourth. SEMO also had three double-digit tacklers in a game for the first time this season with Zach Hall paving the way with 14 and Justin Swift and Omardrick Douglas each adding 10.
Special Times
The Redhawks lead the Ohio Valley Conference in both punt return average and PAT kicking through five games this season. Southeast Missouri is averaging 15.5 yards per punt return and has not missed a PAT all year (25-of-25).
Litang Rolls
Southeast Missouri kicker Nicholas Litang has made 30-straight PATs dating back to last season. Litang is a perfect 25-of-25 in that category this year. He leads the Redhawks in scoring with 37 points and ranks ninth all-time in career PATs (51-of-53) at SEMO.
Countdown to 200
Zach Hall is getting close to 200 career tackles. Hall leads the Ohio Valley Conference and ranks third in the nation with 63 total tackles this season. He has posted 10 or more stops in three of his first five starts. Hall presently has 178 tackles in his career. Fellow linebacker Roper Garrett (359 tackles, 2012-16) was the last SEMO player to get 200 or more career tackles.
Race to 1,000 Yards
In five starts this season, tailback Marquis Terry is more than halfway to 1,000 rushing yards. Terry leads the Ohio Valley Conference and is seventh in the nation with 650 rushing yards. He leads the OVC and is 17th in the Football Championship Subdivision with six rushing touchdowns and tops the league and rates eighth nationally with 130 rushing yards per game. Terry is 350 yards away from hitting the 1,000 mark for the second year in a row after rushing for a team-high 1,076 yards last season.
Scoring Jump
Southeast Missouri ranks second in the Ohio Valley Conference in scoring with 38.6 points per game. SEMO recently hung a season-high 70 points on Tennessee Tech (Oct. 6). The Redhawks have scored 193 points through five games and have already blown by their mark (101) at this point last season by a +92 margin. Additionally, SEMO was sixth in the OVC in scoring with just over 20 points per game (20.5) a year ago.
Working With Purpose
In addition to his success running the football, Marquis Terry is gaining yards in other ways too. Terry broke the Southeast Missouri and Ohio Valley Conference record with 438 all-purpose yards at Southern Illinois (Sept. 15). He picked up 311 rushing yards, caught one pass for 13 yards and returned five kickoffs for 114 yards against the Salukis. He enters the week ranked second nationally with an average of 186.6 all-purpose yards per game.
Points Leader
Nicholas Litang, Southeast Missouri's top scorer with 37 points this season, leads the Ohio Valley Conference in PAT kicking percentage (25-of-25). Litang is averaging 7.4 points per game kicking the football and rates third in the league in scoring (kick).
2,000 is Ahead
Marquis Terry needs 274 rushing yards to hit 2,000 in his two-year Southeast Missouri career. Terry has gained 1,726 yards on 308 attempts, averaging 5.6 yards per carry in his career. Henry Harris was the last SEMO running back to accumulate 2,000 career rushing yards when he had 2,773 from 2008-10.
Santacaterina Strong
Daniel Santacaterina picked up his third win as Southeast Missouri's starting quarterback following a huge game at Tennessee Tech (Oct. 6). Santacaterina completed 20-of-27 passes for 395 yards and four touchdowns in a 70-38 rout of the Golden Eagles. Through five starts under center, Santacaterina has completed 62.7 percent of his passes (84-of-135) for 1,091 yards and 11 touchdowns. He is averaging 218.2 passing yards per game and boasts a pass efficiency rating of 150.7. Santacaterina has thrown a touchdown pass to six different Redhawk receivers and ranks fifth in the Ohio Valley Conference in passing average, third in pass efficiency and sixth in total offense (226.4 ypg). He has twice been named OVC Newcomer of the Week (Sept. 9, Oct. 7) and won one OVC Offensive Player of the Week (Sept. 9) honor. Eleven of his completions have gone for 20 or more yards. Santacaterina ranks 16th nationally in passing touchdowns (11), 22nd in pass efficiency and 30th in points responsible for (14.4/game).
Blocked Punts
Southeast Missouri has blocked two punts in five games this season. Taylen Waller blocked a punt vs. Dayton (Sept. 8) and Aaron Alston did the same at Tennessee Tech (Oct. 6). SEMO last had two different players block a punt in a season in 2009 (Andrew Adams vs. Quincy on Sept. 3; William Castro at Tennessee Tech on Oct. 24).
Scoring Streak
The Redhawks presently have the second-longest scoring streak in the Ohio Valley Conference. Southeast Missouri has scored in 82-consecutive games and ranks behind Murray State (146) in that category. The last time the Redhawks were shutout in a game was at Purdue (59-0) on Sept. 17, 2011.
Starting Streak
Senior Drew Forbes enters Saturday's game with a streak of 27 consecutive starts at left tackle. Forbes anchors an offensive line that features three returning starters.
