#18 Southeast Missouri (5-3, 3-1 OVC) at Tennessee State (2-6, 1-3 OVC)

Date: Saturday, November 2, 2019
Kickoff: 2 p.m., CT                                                                                                 
Stadium: W.J. Hale Stadium (15,000)
Surface: Bermuda Sod
Weather Forecast: Mostly Sunny, 55 degrees
Series History: TSU leads, 14-12
Head Coaches: Tom Matukewicz (30-37 overall; 29-37 at SEMO; 21-22 OVC). Rod Reed (55-53 overall; 55-53 at TSU; 28-42 OVC).

Media Coverage
Radio: Real Rock 99.3 FM & ESPN 1220 AM (Erik Sean)
Video: ESPN3 (Bob Belvin, Kevin Ingram)
Live Stats: TSUTigers.com
Twitter: @SEMOFootball
Southeast Missouri Notes

Redhawks Head to Music City
#18 Southeast Missouri (5-3, 3-1) travels to the Music City to face Tennessee State (2-6, 1-3) Saturday. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m., CT, at W.J. Hale Stadium.

Follow the Redhawks
Fans can listen to Saturday's game live on the radio at Real Rock 99.3 FM. Erik Sean will call the action. The Redhawks and Tigers are the featured Ohio Valley Conference Game of the Week on ESPN3. Bob Belvin and Kevin Ingram are the commentators. Live stats can be accessed online at TSUTigers.com. Twitter updates provided @SEMOFootball.

Series History
Southeast Missouri and Tennessee State hook up for the 27th time this weekend. TSU presently holds a 14-12 edge in the overall series. SEMO is looking to end an eight-game losing streak against the Tigers in Nashville. The last time the Redhawks beat TSU on its home field was on Nov. 23, 1996 (24-21). SEMO beat the Tigers, 38-21, during the last meeting in Cape Girardeau on Nov. 3, 2018.

Redhawks Move into First-Place Tie
With its win over UT Martin on Oct. 26, Southeast Missouri moved into a four-way tie for first in the Ohio Valley Conference standings. Entering this week, four teams currently have one OVC loss. UT Martin (4-1), Austin Peay (3-1), Eastern Kentucky (3-1) and SEMO (3-1) all share that spot.

Matukewicz vs. Tennessee State
Tom Matukewicz holds a 2-2 record against Tennessee State as Southeast Missouri's head coach. The Redhawks beat the Tigers in 2014 (28-21, Nov. 4, Cape Girardeau) and 2018 (38-21, Nov. 3, Cape Girardeau). A win Saturday will give SEMO wins against TSU in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2002 (49-25) and 2003 (52-35).

Home Winning Streak
The Redhawks are on an 11-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 going 4-0 at home this year. It is currently the longest home winning streak in the Ohio Valley Conference and longest in the Redhawks NCAA Divsion I era.  

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 20 games since 2016. The current senior class surpassed the 2010 class (18 wins from 2007-2010) for the new record.

Big Homecoming Win
The Redhawks improved their record in Homecoming games to 15-14 since moving to the NCAA Division I ranks in 1991 when they beat UT Martin (Oct. 26). Southeast Missouri hosted the Skyhawks on its Homecoming for the fifth time and is now 4-1 in those matchups.

Defense Rises Again
Southeast Missouri's defense again put together a great performance to deal UT Martin its first Ohio Valley Conference loss on Oct. 26. The Redhawks forced a season-high five turnovers, had three interceptions, five sacks and a blocked field goal. SEMO's game-winning touchdown came on a pick six, the first defensive TD for the Redhawks in 2019. The Redhawks also shutout the Skyhawks in the second half. SEMO's defense had a combined nine takeaways in its last two games.

Redhawks Carry Winning Streak to Nashville
The Redhawks carry a two-game winning streak to Tennessee State Saturday. Southeast Missouri won four of its last five games. A win Saturday will give SEMO its longest winning streak of the season to date.

Pyle Performs
Backup quarterback Joe Pyle had a 61-yard touchdown run that tied the game at 10-10 with 13:38 remaining in the third quarter against UT Martin (Oct. 26). Pyle's 61-yard run currently stands as Southeast Missouri's longest rushing play of the season. He played the entire second half after a coach's decision pulled starter Daniel Santacaterina from the game.

More OVC Honors
For the second week in a row, Southeast Missouri won two Ohio Valley Conference football honors. Outside linebacker Omardrick Douglas was named OVC Defensive Player of the Week and quarterback Joe Pyle was voted OVC Newcomer of the Week. A native of Louisville, Kentucky, Douglas returned an interception 32 yards for the game-winning touchdown with 5:32 left in the fourth quarter to give Southeast Missouri a 17-10 victory over UT Martin (Oct. 26). Douglas picked off John Bachus, sprinted down the near sideline and finished off his game-changing play by diving into the end zone. He also had three tackles and blocked a field goal. Douglas helped lead a SEMO defense that forced a season-high five turnovers, had three interceptions and recorded five sacks. The Redhawks shutout the Skyhawks in the second half, as well. Pyle, who hails from Fallon, Nevada, scored the game-tying touchdown against UT Martin early in the second half. On the fourth play of the third quarter, Pyle busted loose for a 61-yard touchdown run to bring the game to a 10-10 deadlock just 1:22 into the second half. He played the entire second half after a coach's decision pulled starter Daniel Santacaterina from the game. Pyle threw for 51 yards and added 35 net rushing yards in his performance.

Career First for Thornton
Defensive lineman Clarence Thornton recorded the first interception of his career when he picked off Dresser Winn's only pass attempt with 7:45 left to play in the third quarter against UT Martin (Oct. 26). Southeast Missouri intercepted passes on back-to-back UTM drives in the third quarter. The Redhawks tallied three interceptions against the Skyhawks, including one by Thornton, Omardrick Douglas and Bydarrius Knighten.

One Receiving Touchdown Away
With one receiving touchdown against Tennessee State 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 vs. UT Martin, Kristian Wilkerson moved to ninth 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
2015-pr.    Kristian Wilkerson (SEMO)    2,910
1995-98    Rondel Menendez (EKU)    2,902

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

Turnover Margin
For the first time this season, Southeast Missouri leads the Ohio Valley Conference in turnover margin. The Redhawks hold a +6 margin with a total of 15 takeaways (7 fumbles, 8 interceptions) through eight games. SEMO also ranks 21st in the nation in that category. The Redhawks led the FCS in turnover margin in 2018.

Striking Distance
Kristian Wilkerson is in position to break another receiving record when Southeast Missouri takes on Tennessee State Saturday. Wilkerson is presently second all-time in career receptions (180). Darrell Philon (181, 1988-91) holds the record in receptions.

Road to 3,000
Kristian Wilkerson is 90 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 2,910 yards to date.

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 four Ohio Valley Conference games were decided by a combined 20 points. The Redhawks beat Tennessee Tech, 43-37, in double overtime on Oct. 5, fell to Austin Peay, 28-24, on Oct. 12, beat Jacksonville State, 24-21, on Oct. 19 and defeated UT Martin, 17-10, on Oct. 26. SEMO had three league games decided by six or less points a year ago and was 2-1 in those tight contests.

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 70 fourth-quarter points through eight games in 2019, its most in any quarter.

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 46 stops this year, has 186 in his career. 

Last Time vs. Tennessee State
Southeast Missouri used a 21-point second quarter to fuel its 38-21 victory over Tennessee State at Houck Field a year ago. Marquis Terry went over 1,000 rushing yards in the win. Kristian Wilkerson also caught eight passes for 129 yards and three touchdowns. The Redhawks racked up 484 yards of total offense and did not turn the ball over against the Tigers.

OVC Play
The Redhawks are 81-137 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 32-consecutive games. Wide receiver Kristian Wilkerson has logged 23 straight starts, while outside linebacker Justin Swift and quarterback Daniel Santacaterina follow with 22 and 21, 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 143 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.

Three-Headed Monster
Southeast Missouri's backfield trio of junior Mark Robinson, sophomore Zion Custis and redshirt-freshman Geno Hess has been equally impressive thus far. Custis presently leads the Redhawks with 424 yards on 93 carries. Hess follows with 374 yards and Robinson has 367 rushing yards and a team-high six touchdowns on 78 attempts. Hess (4), Custis (3) and Robinson (6) combined for 13 of SEMO's 18 rushing touchdowns this year. Custis (53.0), Hess (46.8) and Robinson (45.9) rank sixth, eighth and ninth, respectively, in the Ohio Valley Conference in rushing. As a team, the Redhawks are third in the OVC in rushing with 165.5 yards per game.

68 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 70 away. Robert Haggerty (1993-96) presently holds the all-time career record with 424 stops. Hall has 356 tackles.

Games With a Catch
Senior wide receiver Kristian Wilkerson has caught a pass in 23 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 720 receiving yards and six touchdowns in 2019.

FCS Polls
Southeast Missouri is ranked 21st in this week's AFCA Coaches Poll and 18th in the STATS Media 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
10/28/19    #18    #21

FCS Rankings
Southeast Missouri ranks among the top 20 leaders in the Football Championship Subdivision in the following categories after eight games this season. 
Team
•    7th in Fumbles Lost (2)
•    15th in 4th Down Conversion Pct. (.667)
•    15th in Total Passing Efficiency Defense (114.7)
•    17th in Punt Returns (13 ypr)
•    18th in Red Zone Offense (.900)
•    20th in Red Zone Defense (.722)
Individual
Bryson Donnell
•    15th in Fumbles Recovered (2)
Daniel Santacaterina
•    11th in Passing Yards Per Completion (14.7)
Zack Smith
•    16th in Punt Returns (12.2 ypr)
Kristian Wilkerson
•    8th in Yards Per Reception (22.5)
•    19th in Receiving Yards (720)
•    20th in Receiving Yards Per Game (90.0)

OVC Rankings
Southeast Missouri ranks among the top five leaders in the Ohio Valley Conference in the following categories after eight games this season.
Team
•    1st in Turnover Margin (+6)
•    1st in Punting (37.2 ypp)
•    1st in 4th-Down Conversions (.667)
•    2nd in Pass Defense Effic. (114.7)
•    2nd in Red Zone Offense (.900)
•    3rd in Red Zone Defense (.722)
•    3rd in Sacks (18)
•    3rd in Rushing Offense (165.5 ypg)
•    3rd in Punt Return Average (13 ypr)
•    4th in Kickoff Returns (19.1 ypr)
•    4th in Interceptions (8)
•    5th in Field Goals (6-of-9, .667)
•    5th in Scoring Defense (27.5 ppg allowed)
•    5th in Pass Defense (246.6 ypg allowed)
•    t5th in Sacks Allowed (20)

Individual
Kristian Wilkerson
•    3rd in Receiving Yards Per Game (90.0)
Kendrick Tiller
•    4th in Scoring (Kick) (6.4 ppg)
•    5th in Field Goals (6-of-9, .667 )   
Bryant Pirtle
•    4th in Sacks (6.4 ppg)                                          
Jake Reynolds
•    3rd in Punting (40.6 ypp)
Zach Hall
•    2nd in Tackles (9.0 per game)
Justin Swift
•    4th in Tackles for Loss (1.12 avg)
Bryson Donnell
•    t1st in Fumbles Recovered (2 )   

About Tennessee State
Tennessee State is second-to-last in the Ohio Valley Conference standings with an overall record of 2-6 and 1-3 OVC mark. The Tigers snapped a six game losing skid with a 26-24 upset over then-#19 Austin Peay (Oct. 19). TSU returns to action following its bye week. The Tigers have the worst rushing defense in the league, allowing 213.9 yards per game.