UT Martin (5-2, 4-0 OVC) vs. #24 Southeast Missouri (4-3, 2-1 OVC)

Date: Saturday, October 26, 2019
Kickoff: 1 p.m., CT                                                                                                 
Stadium: Houck Field (10.000)
Surface: Field Turf
Weather Forecast: Mostly Sunny, 64 degrees
Series History: UTM leads, 18-16
Head Coaches: Tom Matukewicz (29-37 overall; 28-37 at SEMO; 20-22 OVC). Jason Simpson (85-70 overall; 85-70 at UTM; 67-40 OVC).

Media Coverage
Radio: Real Rock 99.3 FM & ESPN 1220 AM (Erik Sean, Rick Wieser, Rusty Hendricks)
Video: ESPN+
Live Stats: GoSoutheast.com
Twitter: @SEMOFootball
Southeast Missouri Notes

Redhawks Host UT Martin
#24 Southeast Missouri (4-3, 2-1) plays host to Ohio Valley Conference leader UT Martin (5-2, 4-0) during its Homecoming 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. Erik Sean, Rick Wieser and Rusty Hendricks will call the action. Video is available at ESPN+. Live stats can be accessed online at GoSoutheast.com. Twitter updates provided @SEMOFootball.

Series History
UT Martin holds a slight 18-16 edge in its overall series against Southeast Missouri. UTM has won six of the last eight meetings between these teams and has won in each of its last four trips to Cape Girardeau. SEMO beat the Skyhawks, 56-33, in Martin a year ago. The 56 points were the Redhawks second-most in a game against UTM.

Matukewicz vs. UT Martin
The Redhawks are 2-3 all-time against UT Martin under head coach Tom Matukewicz. Both of Matukewicz's wins versus the Skyhawks came in Martin, Tennessee -- 31-27 on Sept. 27, 2014 and 56-33 on Oct. 27, 2018. SEMO's two losses to UTM in Cape Girardeau with Matukewicz at the helm were by a combined five points. 

A Look Ahead
Southeast Missouri is more than halfway through its 12-game schedule. The Redhawks are currently in a three-way tie for second in the Ohio Valley Conference standings. Two of SEMO's next three opponents are ahead of the Redhawks in the league standings (UT Martin, Eastern Kentucky).

Home Winning Streak
The Redhawks are on a 10-game winning streak at Houck Field. Southeast Missouri went undefeated at 6-0 in Cape Girardeau a year ago and won its season-finale at home in 2017 before starting this year with a 3-0 mark at home. It is currently the longest home winning streak in the Ohio Valley Conference and longest in the Redhawks NCAA Divsion I era. SEMO and UT Martin are the only two OVC teams left with undefeated records at home this season. 

Winningest Senior Class
Southeast Missouri's 24-21 victory over #14 Jacksonville State (Oct. 19) made the Redhawk seniors the winningest senior class in the program's NCAA Division I history. SEMO's senior class, which consists of 20 players, has won a total of 19 games since 2016. The current senior class surpassed the 2010 class (18 wins from 2007-2010) for the new record.

Homecoming at SEMO
Southeast Missouri is an even 14-14 in Homecoming games since moving to the NCAA Division I ranks in 1991. This year marks the fifth time where the Redhawks host UT Martin on their Homecoming. SEMO is currently 3-1 against the Skyhawks on its Homecoming. The last time these teams played a Homecoming game in Cape Girardeau was Oct. 20, 2012 (UTM won, 27-17). Here are SEMO's results on Homecoming since it turned NCAA Division I.
10/12/91    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, 27-20 ^OT
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
10/13/18    vs. Austin Peay    W, 31-27

Make That Six
The Redhawks gave head coach Tom Matukewicz his program-leading sixth win over a ranked Football Championship Subdivision opponent when Southeast Missouri upended #14 Jacksonville State, 24 21, on Oct. 19. Matukewicz's teams hold all but three of SEMO's nine victories over ranked teams. The Redhawks have won four of their last eight matchups with ranked opponents.

32 and 36
Southeast Missouri ended a Jacksonville State winning streak of over 30 games for the second-straight season. The Redhawks snapped the Gamecocks 32-game winning streak in home regular-season games with their 24-21 victory on Oct. 19. A year ago, SEMO shattered JSU's 36-game winning streak in Ohio Valley Conference play with a 37-14 victory on Oct. 20, 2018. The Gamecocks were ranked in both of those matchups.

What a Feat
The Redhawks beat Jacksonville State for the first time in Jacksonville during their NCAA Division I era. Southeast Missouri ended a 10-game losing skid at Burgess-Snow Field with its 24-21 victory on Oct. 19. It marked the first time SEMO defeated JSU in Jacksonville in 55 years. Additionally, the Redhawks posted wins over the Gamecocks in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1963 and 1964.

Wilkerson and Swift Earn OVC Honors
Wide receiver Kristian Wilkerson and outside linebacker Justin Swift earned Ohio Valley Conference weekly honors Sunday. Wilkerson was named OVC Offensive Player of the Week and Swift was voted the league's Co-Defensive Player of the Week. A native of Mamphis, Tennessee, Wilkerson had three catches for 129 yards and two touchdowns, including an 80-yarder with four minutes to play in the game that helped seal SEMO's 24-21 win over #14 Jacksonville State. The win snapped JSU's 32-game regular season home winning streak, gave SEMO back-to-back wins over the Gamecocks and marked the program's first win in Jacksonville since 1964. On a rainy day, Wilkerson caught a 15-yard touchdown with 1:07 left before halftime to open the scoring. With SEMO holding a 10-7 lead late in the fourth quarter, he streaked for the 80-yard score, the fourth-longest touchdown catch in school history. Swift, also from Memphis, matched his career-high with 12 tackles (including 2.5 for loss) while adding a sack, a pass breakup and forcing a fumble against JSU. His forced fumble came deep in JSU territory in the third quarter and led to a SEMO field goal five plays later as the team took a 10-7 lead (and never trailed again). Swift keyed a defense that shutout the Gamecocks for two quarters while recording a season-best four takeaways. Eastern Kentucky defensive back Frank Sumpter (Co-Defensive), Tennessee State kicker Antonio Zita (Specialist) and Tennessee State safety Josh Green (Newcomer) rounded out this week's honorees.

One Receiving Touchdown Away
With one receiving touchdown against UT Martin Saturday, Kristian Wilkerson will break Southeast Missouri's all-time career record. Wilkerson, who has 29 receiving touchdowns, is currently tied with Paul McRoberts (29, 2012-15).

Wilkerson in the OVC Records
Following his performance at Jacksonville State, Kristian Wilkerson moved to 10th all-time among the Ohio Valley Conference's  all-time career leaders in receiving yardage and tied for sixth in career receiving touchdowns. 

Receiving Yards (Career)
2009-13    Erik Lora (EIU)    4,006
2000-03    C.J. Johnson (TSU)    3,903
2013-16    Josh Barge (JSU)    3,611
2008-11    Tim Benford (TTU)    3,104
2002-05    Andre Ralston (EKU)    3,095
1967-70    Harold Roberts (APSU)    3,005
2011-14    Adam Drake (EIU)    2,979
2004-07    Larry Shipp (TTU)    2,950
1995-98    Rondel Menendez (EKU)    2,902
2015-pr.    Kristian Wilkerson (SEMO)  

Receiving Touchdowns (Career)
2009-13    Erik Lora (EIU)    35
2009-12    Chris Wright (EIU)    32
2000-03    C.J. Johnson (TSU)    32
1967-70    Harold Roberts (APSU)    31
2015-18    Patrick Smith (TSU)    31
2015-pr.    Kristian Wilkerson (SEMO)    29
2010-13    Walter Powell (MUR)    29
2012-15    Paul McRoberts (SEMO)    29

Red Zone Offense
Southeast Missouri leads the Ohio Valley Conference and ranks sixth in the Football Championship Subdivision in red zone offense. The Redhawks have scored on 26 of their 28 red zone attempts for 92.9 percent this year. SEMO scored 14 rushing touchdowns, threw for eight touchdowns and kicked four field goals for 163 points in the red zone through seven games.

Striking Distance
Kristian Wilkerson is in position to break another receiving record when Southeast Missouri takes on UT Martin Saturday. Wilkerson is presently second all-time in career receptions (178). Darrell Philon(181, 1988-91) holds the record in receptions.

Road to 3,000
Kristian Wilkerson is 126 yards away from reaching 3,000 receiving yards in his Southeast Missouri career. Wilkerson could become the first player in SEMO's 115-year football history to get 3,000 career receiving yards. He has 2,874 yards to date.

Santacaterina Goes Over 4,000 Passing Yard
Daniel Santacaterina went over 4,000 passing yards in his Southeast Missouri career when he completed 12-of-28 passes for 220 yards and three touchdowns against Jacksonville State (Oct. 19). Santacaterina moved to eighth all-time at SEM with 4,143 career passing yards. He has thrown three touchdown passes in two-straight games. 

The Chase Continues
Redshirt-senior quarterback Daniel Santacaterina is seven touchdown passes away from breaking Southeast Missouri's all-time career record. Santacaterina threw for 39 touchdowns as SEMO's starting signal-caller. Jeff Brown (1983-87) currently holds the all-time career record with 45 passing touchdowns.

Close Games
Southeast Missouri's first three Ohio Valley Conference games were decided by a combined 13 points. The Redhawks beat Tennessee Tech, 43-37, in double overtime on Oct. 5, fell to Austin Peay, 28-24, on Oct. 12 and beat Jacksonville State, 24-21, on Oct. 19. SEMO had three league games decided by six or less points a year ago and was 2-1 in those tight contests.

Outstanding Defense
Southeast Missouri recorded a season-high four takeaways against Jacksonville State (Oct. 19). The Redhawks shutout the Gamecocks in the first and third quarters, recovered three fumbles and had an interception. SEMO forced a combined nine turnovers in its last two meetings with JSU. 

Fourth Quarter Points
The Redhawks scored double-digit points in the fourth quarter for the second time this season when they put up 14 against Jacksonville State (Oct. 19). It was the most points Southeast Missouri scored in the fourth quarter against a Division I opponent this season. SEMO has scored a total of 63 fourth-quarter points through seven games in 2019.

Swift Goes Over 200 Tackles
Outside linebacker Justin Swift matched a career-high 12 tackles and went over 200 in his Southeast Missouri career at Jacksonville State (Oct. 19). Swift enters the week with 210 total tackles as one of two players on this year's active roster with more than 200 career tackles. Fellow linebacker Zach Hall (345) is the other. Swift ranks second on the team with 49 tackles this season.

Next in Line
Defensive back Bydarrius Knighten is the next Redhawk closing in on 200 career tackles. Knighten, Southeast Missouri's third-leading tackler with 37 stops this year, has 177 in his career. 

100-Yard Receiving Games
Kristian Wilkerson notched his third-straight and fourth 100-yard receiving performance of the season when he finished with 129 yards and two touchdowns on three catches at Jacksonville State (Oct. 19). It was the 10th 100-yard receiving effort of Wilkerson's career.

Santacaterina Strong
Daniel Santacaterina threw three or more touchdowns in a game for the eighth time as Southeast Missouri's quarterback at Jacksonville State (Oct. 19). Santacaterina completed 12-of-28 passes for 220 yards. It was the fourth time he threw for 220 or more yards this season. 

Over 4,000
Daniel Santacaterina went over 4,000 yards of total offense in his career when he finished with 222 yards at Austin Peay (Oct. 12). Santacaterina now ranks sixth all-time in career total yardage at Southeast Missouri with 4,407. He also ranks eighth in career passing yards (4,143), second in passing touchdowns (39), ninth in pass completions (320) and third in pass efficiency percentage (134.7). 

Redhawk Rewind
Southeast Missouri had a season-high four takeaways and Daniel Santacaterina threw for three touchdowns, including two in the fourth quarter, during  a stunning 24-21 road win over #14 Jacksonville State (Oct. 19). SEMO never trailed in the game and scored 17 second-half points to propel its victory. The Redhawks handed John Grass two of his three OVC losses as JSU's head coach.

Last Time vs. UT Martin
Kristian Wilkerson caught eight passes for a Southeast Missouri single-game record 263 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Redhawks to a 56-33 drubbing of UT Martin on Oct. 27, 2018. SEMO scored 13 points in the first 2:15 of the contest and never let up. The Redhawks forced four turnovers and received a strong performance from quarterback Daniel Santacaterina who threw for 386 yards and three touchdowns. Defensively, Zach Hall led the way with 15 tackles, one interception and a forced fumble.

OVC Play
The Redhawks are 80-137 all-time in Ohio Valley Conference play since joining the league in 1991. Southeast Missouri finished second in the OVC behind Jacksonville State with a 6-2 record in 2018. The six wins were the Redhawks second-most in conference play behind the 2010 OVC Championship team (7-1). SEMO wrapped up a season among the top three in the OVC standings just three times -- 3rd in 1994 (5-3); 1st in 2010 (7-1); 2nd in 2018 (6-2). 

Starting Streaks
Inside linebacker Zach Hall and defensive back Bydarrius Knighten have each started 31-consecutive games. Wide receiver Kristian Wilkerson has logged 22-straight starts, while outside linebacker Justin Swift and quarterback Daniel Santacaterina follow with 21 and 20, respectively.

Racking Up Sacks
Southeast Missouri led the Ohio Valley Conference in sacks each of the last two seasons. The Redhawks finished with 29 sacks in 2018. SEMO has accumulated 138 sacks for an average of 23 per season under head coach Tom Matukewicz. The Redhawks twice finished a season with over 30 sacks (31 in 2015; 37 in 2017) during that span. Matukewicz's 2017 (2nd) and 2015 (4th) teams are among the school's top four single-season leaders in sacks. SEMO has recorded a sack in 19-straight games. The last time the Redhawks went without a sack was at Arkansas State on Sept. 1, 2018.

80 to Go
Zach Hall is on pace to break Southeast Missouri's all-time career tackles record. Hall, who broke the school's single-season record with 168 tackles last season, is 80 away. Robert Haggerty (1993-96) presently holds the all-time career record with 424 stops. Hall has 345 tackles.

Games With a Catch
Senior wide receiver Kristian Wilkerson has caught a pass in 22 consecutive games. Wilkerson recently had three receptions for 129 yards and two touchdowns at Jacksonville State (Oct. 19). He finished with over 100 receiving yards in a game for the 10th time in his career. He leads the Redhawks with 684 receiving yards and six touchdowns in 2019.

FCS Polls
Southeast Missouri is ranked 24th in this week's STATS Media Poll. The Redhawks received votes in the AFCA Coaches Poll. Here are the Redhawks rankings this season: 
Preseason
Athlon Sports    #19 (June 4)
Street & Smith's    #22 (July 9)
STATS Media    #17 (Aug. 5)
AFCA FCS Coaches    #18 (Aug. 19)
        STATS Media    Coaches
8/26/19    #17    #18
9/2/19    #12    #13
9/9/19    #19    #20
9/16/19    #23    #25
9/23/19    #23    RV
9/30/19    #23    #t25
10/7/19    #20    #22
10/14/19    RV    RV
10/21/19    #24    RV

FCS Rankings
Southeast Missouri ranks among the top 20 leaders in the Football Championship Subdivision in the following categories after seven games this season.
Team
•    6th in Fumbles Lost (1)
•    14th in 4th Down Conversion Pct. (.667)
•    15th in Turnovers Lost (7)
•    18th in Team Passing Efficiency Defense (116.7)
Individual
Kendrick Tiller
•    13th in Field Goal Percentage (.833)
Bryson Donnell
•    8th in Fumbles Recovered (2)
Daniel Santacaterina
•    12th in Passing Yards Per Completion (14.7)
Zack Smith
•    17th in Punt Returns (11.5 ypr)
Kristian Wilkerson
•    9th in Yards Per Reception (22.8)
•    13th in Receiving Yards (684)
•    15th in Receiving Yards Per Game (97.7)
•    16th in Receiving Touchdowns (6)

OVC Rankings
Southeast Missouri ranks among the top five leaders in the Ohio Valley Conference in the following categories after seven games this season.Team
•    1st in Red Zone Offense (.929)
•    1st in Punting (37 ypp)
•    t1st in 4th-Down Conversions (.667)
•    2nd in Rushing Offense (177 ypg)
•    2nd in Pass Defense Efficiency (116.8)
•    3rd in Sacks (13)
•    3rd in Sacks Allowed (16)
•    3rd in Punt Return Average (12.5 ypr)
•    3rd in Field Goals (5-6, .833)
•    4th in Red Zone Defense (.788)
•    4th in Turnover Margin (+3)
•    4th in Kickoff Returns (18.8 ypr)
•    5th in Scoring Offense (29.7 ppg)
•    5th in Pass Defense (241.3 ypg allowed)
•    5th in Kickoff Coverage (37.9 net avg.)

Individual
Kristian Wilkerson
•    3rd in Receiving Yards Per Game (97.7)
Kendrick Tiller
•    4th in Scoring (Kick) (6.7 ppg)
•    4th in Field Goals (5-6, .833)
Jake Reynolds
•    3rd in Punting (40.9 ypp)
Zach Hall
•    2nd in Tackles (8.9 per game)
Justin Swift
•    t3rd in Tackles For Loss (8.5)
Bryson Donnell
•    t1st in Fumbles Recovered (2)

About UT Martin
Ohio Valley Conference leader UT Martin carries a four-game winning streak to Cape Girardeau this weekend. The Skyhawks are currently 5-2 overall and the only undefeated team left in OVC play with a 4-0 mark. UTM leads the conference in turnover margin (+6), punt return average (17.5 ypr), pass efficiency (145.2), field goals (7-of-7) and PATs (27-of-27).  The Skyhawks are also second in scoring defense (22.9 ppg allowed) and rushing defense (123.6 ypg allowed). Freshman John Bachus has thrown for 1,361 yrds and 10 touchdowns, and tops the OVC in pass efficiency (142.5). Ryan Courtright hasn't missed a field goal or PAT all season and JaQuez Akins is tied for second in the OVC with SEMO linebacker Zach Hall with 62 total tackles.