Southeast Missouri (1-1) at Southern Illinois (1-1)

Date: Saturday, September 15, 2018
Kickoff: 6 p.m., CT
Location: Carbondale, Ill.
Stadium: Saluki Stadium (15,000)
Surface: FieldTurf Duraspine PRO
Weather Forecast: Partly Cloudy, 83 degrees
Series History: SEMO leads, 40-37-8
Last Meeting: SIU 35, SEMO 17 (Sept. 16, 2017 / Cape Girardeau, Mo.)
Head Coaches: Tom Matukewicz (17-31 overall; 16-31 at SEMO; 12-19 OVC). Nick Hill (9-15 overall; 9-15 at SIU).

Media Coverage
Radio: Real Rock 99.3 FM (Erik Sean, Rick Wieser)
Video: ESPN+  
Live Stats: SIUSalukis.com
Twitter: @SEMOFootball
Southeast Missouri Notes
 

War for the Wheel 
Southeast Missouri (1-1) and Southern Illinois (1-1) hook up in the first edition of the "War for the Wheel" Saturday. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m., CT, at Saluki Stadium. 

Follow the Redhawks
Fans can listen to Saturday's game live on the radio at Real Rock 99.3 FM. Erik Sean and Rick Wieser will call the action. Video can be accessed online at ESPN+. Live stats are available at SIUSalukis.com. Twitter updates provided @SEMOFootball.

The Rivalry
On Aug. 27, 2018, the football rivalry between Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois was officially deemed, "War for the Wheel." Each year, the winner of the game will take home an authentic ship's wheel to its side of the Mississippi River and proudly display it until the next scheduled matchup. The wheel currently resides in Carbondale since SIU won last year's meeting between the teams. When the series first began, SEMO and SIU used to cross the Mississippi River by boat. One year, SIU's boat sunk and players had to swim to shore. The SEMO and SIU rivalry is the oldest in each school's history.

Series History
Saturday's matchup marks the 86th football meeting between Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois. The schools, separated by just 45 miles, first started playing each other in 1909. SEMO holds a 40-37-8 advantage in the all-time series, though SIU has won 10 of the previous 12 contests.

Final Non-Conference Game
The Southern Illinois game is Southeast Missouri's final non-conference tilt. Including Saturday, SEMO is on the road for two-straight games, has its bye week and then hits the road for another contest. The Redhawks visit Eastern Kentucky for their Ohio Valley Conference opener (Sept. 22) and travel to Tennessee Tech (Oct. 6) following their bye. SEMO does not play at home until its Homecoming on Oct. 13 (vs. Austin Peay).

Now Trending
Southeast Missouri has three winning seasons in its NCAA Division I era (since 1991). All three of those winning seasons came at eight-year intervals (1994, 2002, 2010). The 2018 campaign marks eight years from SEMO's last winning record. The Redhawks went 9-3, won their only Ohio Valley Conference title and made the NCAA Playoffs that 2010 season. And, SEMO beat then-ranked #5 Southern Illinois, 24-21, in Carbondale during week three of that year.

Going for Two in a Row
The Redhawks go for their second-straight non-conference win when they travel to Southern Illinois this weekend. If SEMO wins, it will mark the first time the Redhawks posted back-to-back non-conference victories since 2007. SEMO could also accomplish that feat on exactly the same dates as it did 11 years ago -- defeated Southwest Baptist, 38-17, on Sept. 8, 2007; defeated Indiana State, 13-10, on Sept. 15, 2007.

Old Turf
Southern Illinois was once home to Southeast Missouri head coach Tom Matukewicz and defensive coordinator Bryce Saia. Matukewicz spent seven seasons under head coach Jerry Kill (now the Salukis Director of Athletics) at SIU. As linebackers coach and run-game coordinator, Matukewicz had a big hand in three Missouri Valley Football championships (2003, 2004, 2005) and five NCAA Football Championship Subdivision playo berths (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007). He was named the 2007 FCS Assistant Coach of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association after helping turn the Salukis into one of the top rushing defenses in the nation. Saia coached the defensive line for four years (2004-07). The Salukis ranked either first or second in the MVFC during his tenure, and had the top-ranked scoring defense in the FCS in 2004. Saia was also with Matukewicz at Toledo for two seasons before they came to Cape Girardeau.  

Matukewicz vs. Hill
Third-year Southern Illinois head coach Nick Hill was a quarterback when Tom Matukewicz was part of Jerry Kill's staff at Southern Illinois. Hill played for the Salukis from 2005-07. All three of those teams Hill was on made the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision Playoffs. Hill, who ranks on several record lists at SIU, came one win away from leading the Salukis to the FCS National Championship game in 2007. Hill is 2-0 against Matukewicz's Redhawks.

Matukewicz vs. Southern Illinois
Fifth-year Southeast Missouri head coach Tom Matukewicz is 1-3 against Southern Illinois. SEMO fell to then-#14 SIU, 50-23, in Carbondale during the 2014 season and beat the Salukis, 27-24, in Cape Girardeau in 2015. The Redhawks, who scored 13 fourth-quarter points a year later, dropped a 30-22 decision at SIU on Sept. 10, 2016. SIU beat SEMO, 35-17, in Cape Girardeau on Sept. 16, 2017.

Last Win vs. Southern Illinois
Three years ago, Southeast Missouri beat Southern Illinois in a close game at Houck Field on Sept. 12, 2015. After missing three-straight field goals, Ryan McCrum kicked a game-winning 42-yarder with five seconds left to send the Redhawks to a 27-24 victory. Down by seven, SEMO tied the game late in the third quarter before McCrum's winning field goal. A total of 12 players are on this year's roster from that 2015 team (Drew Forbes, Kristian Wilkerson, Anthony Cooper, Richie Eisenhart, Giovanni Negron, Bud Hilburn, Zach Stagner, Taj Jenkins, Ryan Ochoa, Eric Williams, Ryan Truvillion, Mitch Yant).

Redhawks in Carbondale
Southeast Missouri is 22-18-4 all-time against Southern Illinois in Carbondale. The Redhawks, however, have gone winless in their last three trips to Saluki Stadium. SIU outscored SEMO 115-59 during that stretch. The Redhawks last win in Carbondale was on Sept. 18, 2010 (24-21).

First Win
The Redhawks picked up their first win of the season with a 40-21 victory over Pioneer League member Dayton (Sept. 8). Southeast Missouri scored 20 points in the fourth quarter to fuel its win. The 40 points were SEMO's most in a game since the Redhawks put up 41 at home against Austin Peay on Oct. 29, 2016.

Home-Openers
With its win against Dayton (Sept. 8), Southeast Missouri improved to 17-11 all-time in home-openers since joining the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision in 1991. The Redhaws are now 3-2 in such games with Tom Matukewicz as its coach, defeating Missouri Baptist, 77-0, on Aug. 28, 2014, Southern Illinois, 27-24, on Sept. 12, 2015 and Dayton, 40-21, on Sept. 8, 2018. SEMO won its home-opener in nine of the last 13 years.

Big Plays 
Southeast Missouri had four plays go for 50 or more yards in its first two weeks of the 2018 season. Marquis Terry scored touchdowns on runs of 67 and 95 yards, while Daniel Santacaterina completed passes of 52 and 73 yards. SEMO had just one play go for 50 or more yards in its first two games a year ago.

Pulling Rank 
The Redhawks have not turned the ball over in their first two games of 2018 and lead the nation in turnovers lost. Defensively, Southeast Missouri forced five turnovers so far and ranks third in the Football Championship Subdivision in turnover margin (+5). SEMO also has the nation's top red zone offense. Individually, newcomer Marcus Lucas leads the nation in interceptions (2), while Marquis Terry is second in rushing yards per carry (11.16) and Zach Hall is second in total tackles (31). Nicholas Litang leads the nation in field goal percentage (1.00), as well.

Conference Leaders 
Southeast Missouri leads the Ohio Valley Conference in turnover margin (+5), red zone offense (7-of-7, 1.00) and red zone defense (3-of-4, 75 pct.). Marquis Terry leads the league in rushing (139.5 ypg), Daniel Santacaterina is first in pass efficiency (169.4 rating), Jake Reynolds is first in punting (44.9 ypp), Zach Hall is first in tackles (31) and Marcus Lucas is first in both interceptions (2) and passes defended (3).

200-Yard Man
Marquis Terry ran for a career-high 202 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries in his last start against Dayton (Sept. 8). Terry averaged over 12 yards per carry (12.6) en route to the first 200-yard game of his career. The 202 yards are presently the most in a game by an Ohio Valley Conference player this season. Terry is the first Southeast Missouri player to run for over 200 yards since Tremane McCullough finished with 220 yards vs. Murray State on Oct. 3, 2015. Additionally, his 95-yard touchdown run against the Flyers was the third-longest rushing play in school history.

Career-High for Swift 
Outside linebacker Justin Swift tallied a career-high 11 tackles against Dayton (Sept. 8) becoming Southeast Missouri's second double-digit tackler this season. Swift had eight solo tackles and assisted on three others. He also notched two tackles for loss and forced a fumble. It was the second time Swift recorded 10 or more tackles in his career.

Santacaterina Wins OVC Co-Offensive Player & Newcomer of the Week Honors 
Daniel Santacaterina won his first game as Southeast Missouri's starting quarterback against Dayton (Sept. 8). Santacaterina threw for 269 yards and three touchdowns and ran for five yards and another TD. Santacaterina, who was cleared from concussion protocol after taking a hard hit in the second quarter at Arkansas State (Sept. 1), completed 21-of-31 passes and did not throw an interception. He engineered three scoring drives in the Redhawks 20-point fourth quarter. Santacaterina threw two of his touchdown passes, consisting of 18 and 73 yards, in the final period. He was named Ohio Valley Conference Co-Offensive Player and Newcomer of the Week on Sept. 9.

Litang Secures OVC Co-Specialist of the Week Accolades 
Nicholas Litang was named Ohio Valley Conference Co-Specialist of the Week on Sept. 9. Litang, who hails from Boca Raton, Florida, scored 10 points against the Flyers. Litang did not miss a kick the entire game, connecting on 2-of-2 field goals and 4-of-4 extra points. He scored SEMO's first six points of the contest on field goals of 37 and 35 yards, respectively. Litang also kicked off three times for 174 yards. He leads the Redhawks in scoring with 13 points through two games this season.  

Smith Nabs Career-High 
Zack Smith had a career-high 122 receiving yards and a touchdown on five catches against Dayton (Sept. 8). Smith is currently the Redhawks top receiver with 11 receptions for 156 yards. He scored his fourth career receiving touchdown on a 73-yard pass from Daniel Santacaterina with 5:32 left to play in the fourth quarter. It tied for the eighth-longest receiving touchdown in school history.    

Blocked Punt 
Taylen Waller blocked a punt which shifted the momentum in Southeast Missouri's direction against Dayton (Sept. 8). Waller's blocked punt resulted in a 9-yard touchdown run by Daniel Santacaterina which regained a 13-7 lead for the Redhawks in the second quarter. Waller is the first SEMO player to block a punt in three years. Darrius Darden-Box was the last to do it vs. Tennessee Tech on Oct. 31, 2015.        

Multiple Receiving Touchdowns
Kristian Wilkerson posted the second two receiving touchdown game of his career when he had four catches for 34 yards against Dayton (Sept. 8). Wilkerson scored on a 4-yard reception in the third quarter and an 18-yard reception in the fourth. He last had two receiving touchdowns in a game at Tennessee State on Nov. 11, 2017.

Now Approaching
Marquis Terry is one 100-yard game away from joining Southeast Missouri's career list. Terry recently recorded the fifth 100-yard game of his career when he piled up 202 yards against Dayton (Sept. 8). With another 100-yard game, Terry will join four other players (Tremane McCullough, Corey Kinsey, Anthony Jackson, Jack Gokin) who have six 100-yard games. Terry would tie them for ninth on the school's all-time career list.

Turnover Free
The Redhawks did not have a turnover in each of their first two games of the 2018 campaign. Southeast Missouri opened a season without committing a turnover in its first two games for the first time in 12 years. The last time that happened was in 2006 when the Redhawks went turnover free in their first four contests.

Win Number 450
Southeast Missouri celebrated its football program's 450th win when the Redhawks beat Dayton, 40-21, on Sept. 8. SEMO's all-time football record is 450-530-36.

Starting Streak
Senior Drew Forbes enters Saturday's game with a streak of 24 consecutive starts at left tackle. Forbes anchors an offensive line that features three returning starters.

Year Five
Tom Matukewicz is in his fifth season as head coach at Southeast Missouri. Matukewicz has three wins over ranked opponents, most in program history. He received a two-year contract extension through the 2020 season.

On Watch
Jake Reynolds, Zach Hall and Justin Swift enter the season ranked among Southeast Missouri's all-time career leaders. Reynolds is seventh in punting average (40.60 ypp), Hall is tied for seventh in sacks (10.0) and 16th in tackles for loss (18.5), and Swift is tied for 20th in sacks (7.0).

Road to 100
Junior wide receiver Kristian Wilkerson is seven receptions away from 100 in his career. Wilkerson has caught 93 passes for 1,386 yards and 11 touchdowns as Southeast Missouri's top target. He averages just under 15 yards per catch (14.9) in his career.

Starting Streak
Senior Drew Forbes enters Saturday's game with a streak of 24 consecutive starts at left tackle. Forbes anchors an offensive line that features three returning starters.