Southeast Missouri State University
0-1
#7 Southern Illinois
1-0
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Illinois | 14 | 14 | 10 | 9 | 47 |
| Southeast Missouri | 7 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 21 |
Redhawks Drop Season-Opener to #7 Southern Illinois, 47-21
9/2/2021 10:46:00 PM | Football
In the 89th meeting between the longtime rivals, SIU claimed the War for the Wheel trophy for the second-straight season.
Baker hooked up with Avante Cox for a 99-yard touchdown pass on the first play of the Salukis opening drive of the contest.
SEMO answered with a 9-play, 65-yard drive capped by a 15-yard pass from CJ Ogbonna to Zack Smith to make it a 7-7 contest with 5:17 remaining in the first quarter.
SIU's offense, however, was simply too much for the Redhawks to handle.
The Salukis scored on four of their first five possessions of the game and led, 28-7, at the half.
SIU widened its lead to 38-7 in the third quarter before Mike Matthews intercepted Baker and ran 10 yards to the end zone at the 6:16 mark of the third quarter. It was the second pick of Matthews' career.
Garrett Todd hauled in the first touchdown reception of his career on a 6-yard pass from Christian Perez for SEMO's final scoring play with 1:44 to go in the fourth period.
Baker completed 25-of-34 passes and SIU outgained the Redhawks, 553-243. Cox paved the way with 187 receiving yards on five catches.
Ogbonna, in his first career NCAA Division I start, threw for 47 yards on 9-of-19 passes and ran for 10 yards on eight carries. Perez threw his first career touchdown pass and finished with 54 yards on 4-of-6 attempts.
Hess averaged 5.8 yards per carry on 18 touches. It was the fourth 100-yard game of his career. Additionally, Zion Custis returned four kickoffs for 123 yards.
SEMO was penalized 15 times for 133 yards.
The Redhawks and Salukis played in front of a limited attendance sellout crowd of 4,075 after a recent structural assessment revealed Houck Field's south grandstand structure has surpassed its lifespan. As a result, the decision was made to cease the use of the south grandstand and main press box areas.
SEMO travels to reigning Football Championship Subdivision National Champion and #1 Sam Houston on Sept. 11.
Players Mentioned
Team Stats
SIU 7, SEMO 0
SIU - Cox, Avante 99 yd pass from Baker, Nic (Gualdoni, Nico kick) 1 plays, 99 yards, TOP 0:13
SIU 7, SEMO 7
SEMO - SMITH, Zack 15 yd pass from OGBONNA, CJ (PIPPIN, DC kick) 9 plays, 65 yards, TOP 5:18
SIU 14, SEMO 7
SIU - Daniel, Tyce 16 yd pass from Baker, Nic (Gualdoni, Nico kick) 7 plays, 75 yards, TOP 2:46
SIU 21, SEMO 7
SIU - Hartrup, Izaia 12 yd pass from Baker, Nic (Gualdoni, Nico kick) 10 plays, 63 yards, TOP 3:55
SIU 28, SEMO 7
SIU - Strong, Justin 22 yd run (Gualdoni, Nico kick), 4 plays, 70 yards, TOP 1:39
SIU 31, SEMO 7
SIU - Gualdoni, Nico 28 yd field goal 7 plays, 64 yards, TOP 2:12
SIU 38, SEMO 7
SIU - Williams Jr.,J 1 yd run (Gualdoni, Nico kick), 8 plays, 75 yards, TOP 2:44
SIU 38, SEMO 14
SEMO - MATTHEWS, Mike 10 yd interception (HARPENAU, A. kick)
SIU 44, SEMO 14
SIU - Lenoir, Landon 13 yd pass from Baker, Nic (Gualdoni, Nico kickfailed) 9 plays, 78 yards, TOP 3:55
SIU 47, SEMO 14
SIU - Gualdoni, Nico 25 yd field goal 4 plays, 19 yards, TOP 1:00
SIU 47, SEMO 21
SEMO - TODD, Garrett 6 yd pass from PEREZ, C. (PIPPIN, DC kick) 10 plays, 53 yards, TOP 5:33
