#16 Southeast Missouri (5-1) at Northwestern State (3-4)
Game Information
Date: October 22, 2022
Kickoff: 1 p.m., CT
Location: Natchitoches, La.
Facility: Turpin Stadium
Surface: FieldTurf
Series: First Meeting
Head Coaches: Tom Matukewicz (47-50 overall; 46-50 at SEMO; 35-27 OVC).Brad Laird (15-32 overall; 15-32 at NSU; 14-21 SLC)..
Follow the Redhawks
Radio: Real Rock 99.3 FM (Erik Sean)
Video: ESPN+
Live Stats: NSUDemons.com
Twitter: @SEMOfootball
Game Notes: Southeast Missouri (PDF) |
Northwestern State (PDF)
Redhawks Back in Action
After a week off, #16 Southeast Missouri (5-1) steps out of league play to visit Southland Conference leader Northwestern State (3-4) Saturday. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m., CT at Turpin Stadium.
Follow the Redhawks
Fans can listen live on the radio at Real Rock 99.3 FM. Erik Sean will be on the call. Watch on ESPN+. Live stats are available at NSUDemons.com and Twitter updates will be provided @SEMOFootball.
Series History
Saturday marks the first-ever meeting between Southeast Missouri and Northwestern State. This weekend's matchup closes out SEMO's two games against Southland Conference foes as part of the Ohio Valley Conference/Southland scheduling alliance.
OVC and Southland Scheduling Alliance
Southeast Missouri and Northwestern State meet in a football scheduling alliance between the Ohio Valley and Southland Conferences for the 2022 and 2023 seasons. The planned collaboration will see institutions from each conference fill available non-conference dates on schedules with a focus toward competitive balance and reasonable travel. In addition to providing quality Division I FCS non-conference matchups, the alliance will allow increased visibility, exposure and branding for each conference. Both the OVC and Southland have longstanding ESPN broadcast agreements. SEMO beat Nicholls State (42-16, Sept. 17) in its other game as part of this alliance.
Against the Southland
The Redhawks are 2-2 all-time against current members of the Southland Conference. Southeast Missouri is 1-1 vs. Southeastern Louisiana and 1-1 vs. Nicholls.
Redhawks Win OVC Home-Opener
With its 34-20 win over Tennessee Tech (Oct. 8), Southeast Missouri moved to 17-15 in Ohio Valley Conference home-openers. SEMO is 8-1 in such games with Tom Matukewicz as its head coach.
Put it in Gear
After being idle last week, the Redhawks are back in action when they head to Louisiana this weekend. Northwestern State is the third different team Southeast Missouri faces after its by week under Head Coach Tom Matukewicz. SEMO played Tennessee Tech six-straight years following its bye and Murray State once (2021).
Redhawks in the Top-25
Southeast Missouri is ranked in both the Stats Perform and American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Coaches Top-25 Polls. The Redhawks are #16 in the Stats Perform and #18 in the Coaches Poll as of Oct. 10. SEMO is ranked in both Top-25 polls for the first time since 2019.
AFCA Coaches Stats Perform
9/26 RV 9/26 #24
10/3 #25 10/3 #21
10/10 #21 10/10 #18
10/17 #18 10/17 #16
Five-Game Winning Streak
The Redhawks carry a five-game winning streak into Saturday's matchup at Northwestern State. Southeast Missouri is on a five-game winning streak for the first time since the 2019 season. SEMO's 5-1 start is also its best since the 2010 campaign. The current winning streak is the Redhawks longest since they won each of the last six games of the 2019 season.
FCS Winning Streaks
Southeast Missouri's current five-game winning streak is tied for fourth-longest in the Football Championship Subdivision. SEMO is among 12 teams that have won five or more consecutive games. Team (Conference) Streak
Weber State (Big Sky) 8
Princeton (Ivy) 7
Sacramento State (Big Sky) 6
Holy Cross (Patriot) 6
Jackson State (SWAC) 6
South Dakota State (MVFC) 6
Penn (Ivy) 5
Mercer (SoCon) 5
St. Thomas (MN) (Pioneer) 5
Southeast Missouri (OVC) 5
Florida A&M (SWAC) 5
Southern Illinois (MVFC) 5
Undefeated Against FCS
Southeast Missouri is undefeated at 5-0 against Football Championship Subdivision teams this season. A total of 14 teams are unbeaten against FCS schools entering this weekend. They include Weber State, Princeton, Sacramento State, Holy Cross, Jackson State, South Dakota State, Penn, Mercer, Southeast Missouri, Montana State, Samford, Fordham, Jacksonville State and Chattanooga.
Natchitoches
Northwestern State is located in Natchitoches, Louisiana, a good 528 miles away from Cape Girardeau. The eight-hour and 39-minute trek is Southeast Missouri's longest of the 2022 campaign. Natchitoches is well-known for the filming of Steel Magnolias. It is also home to the world-famous Natchitoches Christmas Festival that is always held on the first Saturday in December.
From the Bayou
Northwestern State is the second Louisiana school Southeast Missouri faces this season. Earlier this year, SEMO beat Nicholls, 42-16, on Sept. 17. Northwestern State is based in Natchitoches and Nicholls is located in Thibodaux.
One or None
The Redhawks are one of 17 teams in the Football Championship Subdivision with one or no losses through a minimum of five games this year. Southeast Missouri is 5-1 overall and 2-0 in the Ohio Valley Conference. SEMO has the most wins and fewest losses in the OVC.
Winning Season in Sight
Southeast Missouri is closing in on its sixth winning season in its NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision history. SEMO moved to the Division I ranks in 1991 and is in its 32nd season of FCS football. The Redhawks put together winning seasons in 1994 (7-5), 2002 (8-4), 2010 (9-3), 2018 (9-4) and 2019 (9-4). Tom Matukewicz is coming up on the third winning season in his last five years as the Redhawks head coach.
Staying Ahead
The Redhawks have not trailed in their last 10 quarters of football. Central Arkansas was the last opponent to hold a lead against Southeast Missouri when it was ahead, 14-7 with 8:33 left to play in the second quarter on Sept. 24. SEMO is outscoring its opponents, 204-164 (+40), through six games. The Redhawks rank second in the Ohio Valley Conference and 21st in the Football Championship Subdivision with 34 points per contest.
Ball Security
Southeast Missouri has not turned the ball over in two-straight games and won the turnover battle by a +5 margin in that span. SEMO committed only four turnovers in its first six games and ranks eighth in the nation in turnovers lost. The four turnovers lost are fewest in the Ohio Valley Conference.
Hess Clears 3,000 Yards
Geno Hess ran for 88 yards and one touchdown in his latest effort against Tennessee Tech (Oct. 8). As a result, Hess became only the third player in Southeast Missouri football history to rush for over 3,000 yards. His 3,051 yards rank behind Kelvin Anderson (3,392, 1992-94) and Walter Smallwood (3,066, 1965-68).
The Chase is On
With his 3,051 rushing yards, Geno Hess needs 342 more to break Southeast Missouri's all-time career rushing record. Kelvin "Earthquake" Anderson presently holds that spot with 3,392 yards from 1992-94.
Sack Streak
Southeast Missouri recorded multiple sacks in each of its last five contests. SEMO finished with a season-best five at Lindenwood (Oct. 1). The Redhawks are tied for first in the Ohio Valley Conference with 17 sacks. SEMO already matched its season-total in 11 games during the 2021 campaign in six contests this year. Keandre Booker leads the Redhawks with four sacks for a loss of 23 yards.
OVC Picture
The Redhawks and UT Martin are tied for first in the Ohio Valley Conference standings. Southeast Missouri is 5-1 overall and 2-0 in the league, and UTM is 4-2 and 3-0 in the conference. The rest of SEMO's OVC slate, which includes Tennessee State (2-4, 1-0), Eastern Illinois (2-4, 1-0) and Murray State (0-7, 0-2) are a combined 4-15 overall and 2-2 in the OVC. The Redhawks and Skyhawks do not play each other this season.
High Five
For the first time in eight years, Southeast Missouri had three receivers with five catches in a game. Damoriea Vick had nine receptions, while Ryan Flournoy and Johnny King followed with five each against Tennessee Tech (Oct. 8). Peter Lloyd, Spencer Davis and DeMichael Jackson were the last to accomplish that feat vs. Eastern Illinois on Oct. 18, 2014.
Flournoy Returns
After missing the previous week due to injury, Ryan Flournoy returned to make five catches for 101 yards and two touchdowns vs. Tennessee Tech (Oct. 8). Flournoy made touchdown receptions of 12 (second quarter) and four (third quarter) yards, respectively. He is tied for first on the team in receiving touchdowns (5), second in receiving yards (422) and first in yards per catch (17.6).
Johnson Named OVC Defensive Player of the Week
Lawrence Johnson was named Ohio Valley Defensive Player of the Week on Oct. 9. Johnson turned in 12 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, an interception, two quarterback hurries and one pass breakup against Tennessee Tech (Oct. 8). He led a Southeast Missouri defense that forced a season-high three turnovers and allowed only seven points in the final two quarters of the game.
Record-Setter
Geno Hess ran for a career-high 276 yards and four touchdowns, and broke two of his program's career records in Southeast Missouri's win over Lindenwood (Oct. 1). Hess broke SEMO's all-time career records in total touchdowns and rushing touchdowns surpassing Walter Smallwood in each of those categories. Smallwood was at the game and presented Hess with the game ball following the victory. He now has 40 total touchdowns and 38 rushing touchdowns. Both of Smallwood's previous records stood for 54 years.
Mr. Newcomer
Quarterback Paxton DeLaurent won his fifth-consecutive Ohio Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week Award on Oct. 9. DeLaurent threw for 266 yards and three touchdowns on 22-of-33 passes. He is the only SEMO player in program history to win the league's Newcomer of the Week honor five times.
Season-Highs
The Redhawks established season-highs in points (49), total yards (684) and rushing yards (372) in their win at Lindenwood (Oct. 1). There was a combined 1,218 yards between the teams in that game. SEMO's 684 total yards are the second-most in a game during the program's Division I era. The 372 rushing yards were the Redhawks most since they gained 380 yards in their Ohio Valley Conference opener vs. Tennessee State in 2021.
Weeks in Top-25
Southeast Missouri has been ranked in either the Stats Perform or AFCA Coaches Top-25 Polls a total of 22 weeks during Tom Matukewicz's tenure as the Redhawks head coach. SEMO's highest ranking with Matukewicz at the helm was 12th (2019) in the Stats Perform Media Poll and 13th (2019) in the AFCA Coaches Poll.
King Hits 100 Again
Johnny King had over 100 receiving yards for the second time this season when he finished with eight catches for 126 yards and a touchdown against Lindenwood (Oct. 1). King also had 125 receiving yards at Southern Illinois (Sept. 10). He leads Southeast Missouri with 43 receptions for 498 yards and five touchdowns through six games.
Norman Surpasses 100 Tackles
Sophomore linebacker Bryce Norman surpassed 100 career tackles when he registered eight against Lindenwood (Oct. 1). Norman, who has 118 career stops, also had a sack and posted his first career interception. He leads the Redhawks with 52 tackles and ranks third in the Ohio Valley Conference with 8.7 per game.
Dangerous Duo
Southeast Missouri's receiving duo of Johnny King and Ryan Flournoy have been tough for opponents to handle this season. Johnny King leads SEMO with 43 catches for 498 yards and five touchdowns, while Flournoy follows with 24 receptions for 422 yards and five TDs. King leads the Ohio Valley Conference in receptions per game (7.2) and is fourth in receiving yards per contest (83). Flournoy ranks eighth in the league in receptions per game (4) and sixth in receiving yards (70.3).
27 in a Row
Kicker DC Pippin has not missed an extra point in his Southeast Missouri career. Pippin is a perfect 27-of-27 in PATs dating back to last season. He made 25-of-25 through six games in 2022 and is tied for first in the Ohio Valley Conference in PAT kicking percentage.
Award-Winners
The Redhawks claimed multiple Ohio Valley Conference weekly honors in five-straight weeks. Paxton DeLaurent won Offensive Player and Newcomer accolades, and DC Pippin was Specialist on Sept. 11, while DeLaurent was tabbed Newcomer and Bryce Norman earned Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 18. Dalyn McDonald (Specialist) and DeLaurent (Newcomer) were honored on Sept. 25. Geno Hess (Offensive) and DeLaurent (Newcomer) were recognized on Oct. 2. And, Lawrence Johnson (Defensive) and DeLaurent (Newcomer) were honored on Oct. 9. Southeast Missouri won 11 of the league's weekly awards this year.
This is Our House!
Southeast Missouri has won 19 of its last 24 games at Houck Field dating back to the start of the 2018 season. SEMO finished with a winning record on its home field four of the last five seasons. The Redhawks also had a 12-game home winning streak in that stretch which ended on Mar. 7, 2021.
Matukewicz Fourth All-Time in Wins
Southeast Missouri Head Coach Tom Matukewics ranks fourth all-time in program history with 46 wins. Matukewicz is the 13th head coach in SEMO's football tenure.
Kenneth Knox (1952-67) 88
Abe Stuber (1932-46) 72
Jim Lohr (1974-83) 52
Tom Matukewicz (2014-present) 46
Top-10 in the FCS
As a team, Southeast Missouri ranks among the top-10 in the Football Championship Subdivision blocked punts allowed (1st, 0), punt return defense (3rd, -1.80), fumbles lost (8th, 1), sacks allowed (5th, 0.83), turnovers lost (8th, 4) and winning percentage (8th, .833). Individually, Dalyn McDonald ranks among the top-10 in kick return yards (7th, 415) and kick return TDs (3rd, 1); Paxton DeLaurent is fifth in passing yards (1,693), eighth in passing yards per game (282.2), seventh in passing touchdowns (14) and sixth in total offense (314.2 ypg); Johnny King is seventh in receptions per game (7.2); Geno Hess is fifth in rushing yards (630); and Garrett Todd is first in punt return TDs (1).
Atop the OVC
Southeast Missouri leads the Ohio Valley Conference in pass efficiency (146.5) and kickoff returns (22.8 ypr). Individually, Geno Hess is first in the OVC in rushing (105 ypg) and all-purpose yards (118.7 ypg), Johnny King tops the league in receptions per game (7.2), Paxton DeLaurent is first in pass efficiency (149.0), DC Pippin is first in scoring (46 points), field goal percentage (7-of-12, 58.3%) and PAT kicking percentage (25-of-25, 100%), Dalyn McDonald is first in kick return average (27.4 ypr) and Keandre Booker is first in tackles for loss (6.5).
Season 118
The 2022 campaign is Southeast Missouri's 118th season of college football. SEMO is in its 32nd season at the NCAA Division Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level. The Redhawks joined the FCS in 1991 and are 135-220 with two Ohio Valley Conference titles (2010, 2019) and three NCAA Playoff appearances (2010, 2018, 2019) as a Division I program.
Redhawks Picked Second in OVC Preseason Poll
Southeast Missouri was picked second in the 2022 Ohio Valley Conference Preseason Poll selected by the league's Head Coaches and Communication Directors. SEMO accumulated 59 points and three first-place votes behind UT Martin (70 pts., 10 first-place votes). Murray State (51 pts.), Tennessee State (46 pts., 1 first-place vote), Tennessee Tech (29 pts.), Eastern Illinois (20 pts.) and first-year OVC member Lindenwood (19 pts.) complete the seven-team predicted order of finish. This is the final year Murray State is a member of the OVC. The Racers will be in the Missouri Valley Football Conference starting in 2023.
Hess Named OVC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
One of the best tailbacks in the Football Championship Subdivision is at Southeast Missouri in senior Geno Hess. Hess was named the Ohio Valley Conference Preseason Offensive Player of the Year after leading the league with 1,116 yards, 14 touchdowns and 111.6 yards per game last season. He landed a spot on this year's Lindy's, Stats Perform and HERO Sports Preseason All-America teams and is one of 35 players on the 2022 Walter Payton Award Preseason Watch List.
Please Read
Paxton DeLaurent's path to Southeast Missouri started with a hand-written letter from his mother, Heather. Heather's letter reached the Cape Girardeau home of Head Coach Tom Matukewicz. When Matukewicz received the letter in his mailbox, the Redhawks began recruiting DeLaurent and later signed him to a National Letter of Intent.
Six Redhawks Earn Preseason All-OVC Honors
Six Redhawks earned Preseason All-Ohio Valley Conference honors ahead of the 2022 season. Running back Geno Hess, wide receiver Johnny King, offensive tackle Nate Korte, center Zack Gieg, inside linebacker Bryce Norman and punter Zach Haynes all landed a spot on this year's team.
Matukewicz Momentum
Tom Matukewicz is in his ninth year as Southeast Missouri's head coach in 2022. With a total of 46 wins and 35 in Ohio Valley Conference play, Matukewicz has more victories than any head head coach in SEMO's NCAA Division I era. He also guided the Redhawks to one OVC title (2019) and two FCS Playoff appearances (2018, 2019). Matukewicz is 46-50 and 35-27 in the OVC as SEMO's head coach.
31 Wins
Since the start of the 2018 season, Southeast Missouri accumulated 30 wins, most in the Ohio Valley Conference during that span. UT Martin is next with 25 victories. Murray State (20), Tennessee State (15), Tennessee Tech (12) and Eastern Illinois (8) round out the league.
Redhawks Establish Partnership to Sack Hunger During 2022 Football Season
The Southeast Missouri Department of Athletics is teaming up with the Southeast Missouri Food Bank, Sikeston Jaycees, TAG Truck Center and Ford & Liley Countertops to Sack Hunger this upcoming 2022 football season. For every quarterback sack against opposing teams this year, Sikeston Jaycees, TAG Truck Center and Ford & Liley Countertops will each donate $100 to the Southeast Missouri Food Bank. Every $1 donated to the Southeast Missouri Food Bank provides four meals, which means each Redhawk sack will supply 1,200 meals to families facing hunger in the southeast Missouri region. River Radio, the official radio broadcast partner of SEMO Athletics, will also support the campaign by airing public service announcements during Redhawk football broadcasts throughout the 2022 campaign. Fans who wish to join the Redhawks in the fight against hunger can donate to the Southeast Missouri Food Bank at SEMOFoodBank.org.
Championship Culture
Southeast Missouri Athletics has reached unprecedented success. Since the start of the 2019 calendar year, Redhawk teams have won a combined 17 Ohio Valley Conference titles, most in the league in that stretch. Nine of SEMO's 10 head coaches have won OVC Coach of the Year honors along the way. In 2020-21, the Redhawks claimed the OVC Commissioner's Cup for the first time ever.
