Homecoming 2022
#15 Southeast Missouri (6-1) vs. Eastern Kentucky (4-3)

Game Information
Date: Saturday, October 29, 2022
Kickoff: 1 p.m., CT
Location: Cape Girardeau, Mo.
Facility: Houck Field
Surface: FieldTurf
Series: EKU leads 24-5 
Head Coaches: Tom Matukewicz (48-50 overall; 47-50 at SEMO; 35-27 OVC, Ninth Season) 
Walt Wells (13-12 overall, 13-12 at EKU, Third Season)

Follow the Redhawks
Radio: Real Rock 99.3 FM (Erik Sean, Rick Wieser, Rusty Hendricks)
Video: ESPN3
Live Stats: SEMORedhawks.com 
Twitter: @SEMOfootball
Tickets
Game Notes: Southeast Missouri (PDF) | Eastern Kentucky (PDF)
 
Redhawks Welcome Eastern Kentucky to Cape Girardeau Saturday for Homecoming 
#15 Southeast Missouri (6-1) hosts Eastern Kentucky (4-3) Saturday afternoon at Houck Field for Homecoming 2022. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m., CT. 
 
Follow the Redhawks
Fans can listen live on the radio at Real Rock 99.3 FM. Erik Sean, Rick Wieser and Rusty Hendricks will be on the call. Watch on ESPN3. Live stats are available at SEMORedhawks.com and Twitter updates will be provided @SEMOFootball.

Series History
Southeast Missouri and Eastern Kentucky face off for the 30th time Saturday afternoon. The Colonels hold a 24-5 advantage, but SEMO won the most recent meeting in 2019 when both schools were members of the Ohio Valley Conference. Kristian Wilkerson posted a season-high 254 receiving yards and two touchdowns, and Zion Custis ran for a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns, including the game-winner to lead then #17 SEMO to a 38-31 come-from-behind win over Eastern Kentucky on Nov. 9, 2019, at Houck Field. SEMO has won each of the last two home meetings with EKU. Head coach Tom Matukewicz is 2-4 in his career at SEMO against the Colonels. 
 
SEMO on Homecoming
Southeast Missouri is 16-14 in Homecoming Games since becoming an FCS institution in 1991. The Redhawks have won each of their last four homecoming games including a 38-15 decision over Eastern Illinois last season on Oct. 30, 2021. SEMO has faced Eastern Kentucky four times on Homecoming and is 0-4 against the Colonels. 
 
Hess and DeLaurent Awarded OVC Player of the Week Honors Sunday
Southeast Missouri running back Geno Hess and quarterback Paxton DeLaurent were awarded Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Week honors, the league announced Sunday. Hess was named Offensive Player of the Week while DeLaurent garnered his sixth OVC Newcomer of the Week accolade.
 
Hess netted his second 200-plus yard rushing game of the season with 207 yards (12.2 ypc) on just 17 carries in a 51-16 win at Northwestern State Saturday (Oct. 22). The Peoria, Illinois, native scored on touchdown runs of 29 and 4 yards in the first quarter (as SEMO opened up a 23-3 lead) and added a 54-yard score in the third quarter to cap the scoring for the Redhawks, who won their sixth-straight game. 
 
Hess is one of five players nationally with two or more 200-yard rushing games this season, and he is one touchdown away from joining the OVC career Top 10 rushing touchdown list. For Hess, it is his second OVC Offensive Player of the Week laurel of the season. 
 
DeLaurent registered his fifth multiple passing touchdown game of the season, throwing for three scores in the Redhawks 51-16 road win at Northwestern State (Oct. 22). He had touchdown passes of three and 12 yards in the second quarter (as SEMO opened up a 37-3 halftime lead) and started the third quarter with a 19-yard touchdown. He also ran for 45 yards, averaging 5.0 yards/carry. 
 
DeLaurent ranks sixth nationally in total offense (304.4 yards/game) and eighth in passing touchdowns (17).
 
Pippin is Poppin'
DC Pippin was perfect on kicks on the day in SEMO's 51-16 road win over Northwestern State on Oct. 22. He opened the game with a 54-yard field goal, the third-longest by an FCS player this season. In SEMO history, the field goal ranks tied for fourth all-time. 
 
He would later add field goals of 20 and 29 yards. Late in the second quarter with SEMO holding a 30-3 lead, he did not try another PAT, giving way to backup players. He also had five kickoffs, all of which went for touchbacks. He has now made seven of his last eight field goals.
 
Redhawks Crush Northwestern State following Bye Week
SEMO earned its sixth-straight victory with a 51-16 decision over Northwestern State (3-5, 3-0 Southland) Oct. 22 at Turpin Stadium following its bye week. 
 
Paxton DeLaurent registered three touchdowns, hooking up with Ryan Flournoy (5 catches for 83 yards), Johnny King (5 catches for 68 yards), and Damoriea Vick (1 catch for three yards) for scores. 
 
Shamenski Rucker added 58 yards on the ground behind Geno Hess while Darrell Smith finished with 49 yards. 
 
Safety Lawrence Johnson and Jackson, Missouri, native Bryce Norman led the Redhawks with 5 total tackles each on the afternoon to lead the defense for the second-straight week.  Christian Fuhrman, Dony'e Taylor, Antonio Taylor, and Jacob Morrissey all added four tackles. Fuhrmann, Nasim Cairo, and Slade Dollar all added sacks. 
 
Norman Added to Buck Buchanan Award Watch List
Southeast Missouri sophomore linebacker Bryce Norman was one of 21 players nationally added to the 2022 Buck Buchanan Award List on Oct. 20. Stats Perform presents the Buck Buchanan Award to the national defensive player of the year in college football's Division I subdivision.
 
He leads the team with 57 tackles, which is 8.1 per game (fourth in the OVC). He also has 1.5 sacks, one interception, four pass breakups, four quarterback hurries, a fumble recovery, and a defensive touchdown.
 
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 #15 in the Stats Perform and #14 in the Coaches Poll as of Oct. 24. 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
10/24  #14       10/24   #15
 
Six-Game Winning Streak
The Redhawks carry a six-game winning streak into Saturday's matchup against Eastern Kentucky. Southeast Missouri is on a six -game winning streak for the first time since the 2019 season. SEMO's 6-1 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 six-game winning streak is tied for sixth-longest in the Football Championship Subdivision. SEMO is among eight teams that have won six or more consecutive games.   
 
Streak Team
8 - Princeton
7 - Jackson State, South Dakota State, Holy Cross, Sacramento State
6 - Southeast Missouri, St. Thomas, Penn
 
Undefeated Against FCS
Southeast Missouri is undefeated at 6-0 against Football Championship Subdivision teams this season. Heading into the final weekend of October, though, there are seven other teams that remain unbeaten against FCS opponents with only losses to FBS foes
 
Top-ranked South Dakota State (7-1) leads the way in the national media poll, coming off a 49-35 road win at then-No. 20 North Dakota. Third-ranked Montana State (7-1), No. 7 Chattanooga (6-1), No. 13 Samford (6-1), No. 14 Idaho (5-2), No. 15 Southeast Missouri (6-1) and No. 22 Fordham (7-1) also are unbeaten against FCS foes.
 
The overall unbeatens are No. 2 Sacramento State (7-0) from the Big Sky, co-No. 5 Holy Cross (7-0) from the Patriot League, No. 9 Jackson State (7-0) from the SWAC and the Ivy League pair of Princeton (6-0) and Penn (6-0). Princeton is the second team outside the Top 25 and Penn also is receiving votes.
 
One or None 
The Redhawks are one of 12 teams in the Football Championship Subdivision with one or no losses through a minimum of six games this year. Southeast Missouri is 6-1 overall and 2-0 in the Ohio Valley Conference. SEMO has the most wins and fewest losses in the OVC.
 
Winning Season 
Southeast Missouri closed in on its sixth winning season in its NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision history with a 51-16 victory over Northwestern State. 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 earned his third winning season in his last five years as the Redhawks head coach.
 
Staying Ahead
The Redhawks have not trailed in their last 14 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, 255-180 (+75), through seven games. The Redhawks rank first in the Ohio Valley Conference and 14th in the Football Championship Subdivision with 36.4 points per contest.
 
Ball Security
Southeast Missouri has not turned the ball over in three-straight games and won the turnover battle by a +7 margin in that span. SEMO committed only four turnovers in its first seven games and ranks first 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 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 3,258 yards rank behind Kelvin Anderson (3,392, 1992-94).
 
The Chase is On 
With his 3,258 rushing yards, Geno Hess needs 134 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.
 
Hess registered his SEMO program-record third career 200-yard game at Northwestern State on Oct. 22 with 207. He needs two more 100-plus yard games to surpass Kelvin Anderson (14, 1992-94) in the Redhawk record books. 
 
Season-Highs
The Redhawks established season-highs in points (51), and rushing yards (418) in their win at Northwestern State (Oct. 22). SEMO totaled 619 yards of offense in the road game following its bye. 
 
The 418 rushing yards ranks third all-time in SEMO's Division I era. It's the most since the Redhawks gained 380 yards in their Ohio Valley Conference opener vs. Tennessee State in 2021.
 
SEMO's season-high of 684 total yards achieved at Lindenwood (Oct. 1) are the second-most in a game during the program's Division I era. 
 
Sack Streak 
Southeast Missouri recorded multiple sacks in each of its last six contests. SEMO finished with a season-best five at Lindenwood (Oct. 1). The Redhawks are first in the Ohio Valley Conference with 20 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 6-1 overall and 2-0 in the league, and UTM is 4-3 and 3-0 in the conference. The rest of SEMO's OVC slate, which includes Tennessee State (3-4, 2-0), Eastern Illinois (2-5, 1-1) and Murray State (0-8, 0-3) are a combined 5-17 overall and 3-3 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 (6), second in receiving yards (505) and first in yards per catch (17.4).
 
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 43 total touchdowns and 41 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 six times.
 
Weeks in Top-25
Southeast Missouri has been ranked in either the Stats Perform or AFCA Coaches Top-25 Polls a total of 23 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 48 receptions for 566 yards and six touchdowns through seven games. 

Norman Surpasses 100 Tackles
Sophomore linebacker Bryce Norman surpassed 100 career tackles when he registered eight against Lindenwood (Oct. 1). Norman, who has 123 career stops, also had a sack, and posted his first career interception. He leads the Redhawks with 57 tackles and ranks fourth in the Ohio Valley Conference with 8.1 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 48 catches for 566 yards and six touchdowns, while Flournoy follows with 29 receptions for 505 yards and six TDs. King leads the Ohio Valley Conference in receptions per game (6.9) and is third in receiving yards per contest (80.9). Flournoy ranks sixth in the league in receptions per game (4.1) and sixth in receiving yards (72.1).
 
28 in a Row
Kicker DC Pippin has not missed an extra point in his Southeast Missouri career. Pippin is a perfect 30-of-30 in PATs dating back to last season. He made 28-of-28 through seven 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 heading into their bye week. 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.

Hess was also named Offensive while DeLaurent earned Newcomer on Oct. 23 after SEMO's win at Northwestern State on Oct. 22. Southeast Missouri has won 13 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 47 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) 47
 
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 (1st, -1.80), fumbles lost (first, 1), sacks allowed (6th, 0.86), turnovers lost (1st, 4) and winning percentage (9th, .857). 
 
Individually, Dalyn McDonald ranks among the top-10 kick return TDs (5th, 1); Paxton DeLaurent sixth in total offense (304.4 ypg); Johnny King is eight in receptions per game (6.9) Geno Hess is seventh in rushing yards (837) and sixth for rushing yards per game (119.6); and Garrett Todd is third in punt return TDs (1).  
 
Atop the OVC
Southeast Missouri leads the Ohio Valley Conference in pass efficiency (148.44) and kickoff returns (22.39 ypr). Individually, Geno Hess is first in the OVC in rushing (119.6 ypg) and all-purpose yards (131.29 ypg), Johnny King tops the league in receptions per game (6.9), Paxton DeLaurent is first in pass efficiency (150.7), DC Pippin is third in scoring (58 points) behind teammate Hess (66 points, first), field goal percentage (10-of-15, 66.7%) and PAT kicking percentage (28-of-28, 100%), Dalyn McDonald is first in kick return average (27.4 ypr) and Keandre Booker is second in tackles for loss (7.0).
 
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 47 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.
 
32 Wins
Since the start of the 2018 season, Southeast Missouri accumulated 32 wins, most in the Ohio Valley Conference during that span. UT Martin is next with 25 victories. Murray State (20), Tennessee State (16), Tennessee Tech (13) 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.