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Redhawks Kick Off 2022 Season at Iowa State Saturday

Southeast Missouri at Iowa State

Game Information

Date: September 3, 2022
Kickoff: 1 p.m., CT
Location: Ames, Iowa
Facility: Jack Trice Stadium (61,500)
Surface: Natural Grass
Series: First Meeting
Head Coaches: Tom Matukewicz (42-49 overall; 41-49 at SEMO). Matt Campbell (77-49 overall; 42-34 at ISU).

Follow the Redhawks
Radio: Real Rock 99.3 FM (Erik Sean)
Video: Big 12 Now/ESPN+ (Shawn Kenney, Todd Doxzon)
Live Stats: Cyclones.com
Twitter: @SEMOfootball
Game Notes: Southeast Missouri

Redhawks Kick Off 2022
Southeast Missouri opens its 2022 season at Football Bowl Subdivision and Big 12 Conference member Iowa State Saturday. Start time is set for 1 p.m., CT at Jack Trice 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+/Big 12 Now. Live stats are available at Cyclones.com and Twitter updates will be provided @SEMOFootball.

Stiff Competition
Southeast Missouri's 2022 schedule includes seven opponents that were ranked at some point during the 2021 spring (COVID) or fall seasons. Iowa State (Sept. 3), Southern Illinois (Sept. 10), Nicholls State (Sept. 17), Central Arkansas (Sept. 24), Tennessee Tech (Oct. 8), Eastern Kentucky (Oct. 29) and Murray State (Nov. 19) are those foes.

Season-Openers
The Redhawks are 10-21 all-time in season-openers during their NCAA Division I era. Southeast Missouri is 2-6 in such games under Head Coach Tom Matukewicz. Four of those season-opening losses were to Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponents on the road.

First Two on the Road
Southeast Missouri is on the road for its first two weeks of the 2022 season. After this weekend's trip to Iowa State, SEMO will make a short trek to regional-rival and #9 Southern Illinois (Sept. 10). The Redhawks and Salukis play in their annual "War for the Wheel" matchup.

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 130-219 with two Ohio Valley Conference titles (2010, 2019) and three NCAA Playoff appearances (2010, 2018, 2019) as a Division I program. 

Matukewicz and Campbell
Tom Matukewicz was defensive coordinator for two years under Matt Campbell at the University of Toledo (2012, 2013). That was Matukewicz's final stop as an assistant before getting his first head coaching job at Southeast Missouri. Campbell, a Ohio native, coached 13 years in the Buckeye State before becoming Iowa State's head coach.

Series History
The Redhawks and Cyclones meet for the first time in their football histories. Iowa State is one of only four NCAA Division I schools in Iowa. Iowa (FBS), Northern Iowa (FCS) and Drake (FCS) are the others. Southeast Missouri is 1-2 all-time against Iowa schools with a 0-1 mark vs. Drake and 1-1 record vs. Northern Iowa. It's been 40 years since SEMO played one of the teams from the Hawkeye State.

Against the Big 12
Iowa State is only the second Big 12 Conference school Southeast Missouri faces in its program history. The Redhawks are 0-2 against the Big 12 all-time with both of those losses coming at Kansas (2014, 2017).

DeLaurent Wins Starting Quaterback Job
Newcomer Paxton DeLaurent will be Southeast Missouri's starting quarterback when the Redhawks take the field for Saturday's season-opener at Iowa State. DeLaurent edged CJ Ogbonna in a tight race that wasn't decided until Aug. 22. Ogbonna started every game under center for SEMO a year ago. DeLaurent enjoyed a lot of success the previous two seasons at Central Methodist University. There, he earned Heart of America All-Conference honors after completing 171-of-349 passes for 2,499 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2021. DeLaurent was also the Eagles top rusher with 553 yards and seven more touchdowns.

Transfer Quarterbacks
A transfer has started at quarterback in all eight of Southeast Missouri's season-opening games with Tom Matukewicz at the helm. Kyle Snyder (Ohio University, 2014), Tay Bender (Iowa Western CC, 2015), Jesse Hosket (East Central CC, 2016, 2017), Daniel Santacaterina (Northern Illinois, 2018, 2019), Andrew Bunch (Nebraska, 2021 spring) and CJ Ogbonna (Hutchinson CC, 2021 fall) form that group. 

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.

Receiving Votes
Southeast Missouri received three votes in the 2022 Preseason American Football Coaches Association (AFCS) Football Championship Subdivision Coaches Poll. Preseason All-Ohio Valley Conference favorite UT Martin (#15) is the only ranked OVC school in the poll. Murray State (5) and SEMO (3) both received votes.

All Aboard the Hess Express
Geno Hess is in posiiton to do some major damage in Southeast Missouri's record book. Hess is 971 yards away from becoming SEMO's all-time leading rusher and five touchdowns from breaking the school's career rushing touchdowns mark. Hess (2,421 yards) is chasing Kelvin Anderson's 3.392 rushing yards, a record that has stood for 28 years. Anderson played with the Redhawks from 1992-94. Meanwhile, Walter Smallwood (1965-68) holds the program's record of 36 career rushing touchdowns. Hess is presently sixth behind Anderson on the career rushing list and second behind Smallwood with 32 TDs.

Haynes Makes Augusta Sports Council FCS Punter of the Year Preseason Watch List
Southeast Missouri's Zach Haynes is one of 22 candidates on the Augusta Sports Council 2022 FCS Punter of the Year Award Preseason Watch List. The award honors the nation's top collegiate punter in the FCS. The candidates on the list incorporate a broad spectrum of Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) punters. The 2022 watch list was compiled based on the 2021 FCS Punter of the Year watch list, the 2021 All-Conference teams, the 2021 All-America teams and the 2022 preseason All-Conference teams. A native of Potosi, Missouri, Haynes earned preseason All-Ohio Valley Conference accolades. He was a semifinalist for the FCS Punter of the Year Award after averaging 41.2 yards per punt last season. The FCS Punter of the Year Award winner will be voted on by the FCS Punter of the Year/Ray Guy Award Committee and will be announced after regular season play commences.

100-Yard Games
Geno Hess ran for over 100 yards in five-straight games dating back to Oct. 9 of last season. Hess is tied for third among Southeast Missouri's all-time career leaders with ten 100-yard games. Kelvin Anderson (1992-94) holds the record of 14 contests with 100 or more yards.

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.

Lots of New Faces
Southeast Missouri's roster includes 52 newcomers, 43 of which are freshmen. The Redhawks have a total of 106 players on their roster going into the 2022 season.

Matukewicz Momentum
Tom Matukewicz is in his ninth year as Southeast Missouri's head coach in 2022. With a total of 41 wins and 33 in Ohio Valley Conference play, Matukewicz has more victories than any 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 41-49 and 33-27 in the OVC as SEMO's head coach.

26 Wins
Since the start of the 2018 season, Southeast Missouri accumulated 26 wins, most in the Ohio Valley Conference during that span. UT Martin is next with 22 victories. Murray State (20), Tennessee State (14), Tennessee Tech (12) and Eastern Illinois (6) round out the league.

Big 2022 Class
Southeast Missouri's 2022 recruiting class consists of 38 players. It is the largest recruiting class in SEMO football history. Of that group, 11 were mid-year transfers who participated in spring drills.

NFL Watch
Several NFL teams have visited Cape Girardeau to check out the Redhawks this preseason. Ten teams, including the Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Chargers, Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens, Washington Commanders, Green Bay Packers, Cleveland Browns and Indianapolis Colts have stopped by practices. Southeast Missouri's players getting looks are Geno Hess (RB), Johnny King (WR), Ryan Flournoy (WR), Shyron Rodgers (OL), Lawrence Johnson (DB), Trai Hodges (DB), LaWilliam Holmes (DL), Jordan Cole (OLB) and Damoriea Vick (WR).    

Defensive Line Preview
Southeast Missouri's defensive line wants to be game changers in the passing game this season. SEMO has a nice mix of youth and experience that should help this group be much more disruptive in pass rush situations. Steven Lewis is the lone everyday D-line starter back from 2021. Seniors Lunden Manuel and LaWilliam Holmes along with sophomore Sam Keeper had some starting experience a year ago as well. Lewis notched 28 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and two pass breakups in 10 starts.

Offensive Line Preview
The formula for the Redhawks offensive line is simple. Run the football, protect the quarterback and win football games. Southeast Missouri's offensive line is polished, poised and confident behind Preseason All-Ohio Valley Conference selections and returning starters Nate Korte and Zack Gieg. Korte begins his sixth year (due to COVID-19) as the mainstay at right tackle. He is in his fourth season starting at that position where he has accumulated 30 starts. Korte was a Second-Team All-OVC pick in 2021. Gieg, a First-Team All-OVC selection last season, logged 10 starts in his first year with the Redhawks. He transferred to SEMO from Fresno State. Fellow returnees Terry Cook (left tackle) and Shyron Rodgers (left guard), along with newcomer Kobe Sixkiller (right guard) are expected to start Saturday. SEMO had the OVC's second-best rushing offense with 195.1 yards per game in 2021.

Tight Ends Preview
Southeast Missouri's tight ends are prepared to help in whatever role is expected of them to ensure the offense is as productive as possible. Cole Cook, who isn't too far removed from his playing days at North Carolina State (2014-17), is relishing his role as Redhawks first-year tight ends coach. Senior Will Weidemann is back as SEMO's starting tight end. Weidemann made 11 receptions for 96 yards and two touchdowns in 10 starts during the 2021 campaign. Behind Weidemann is sophomore Danny Joiner who did not play at Army a year ago. The tight ends impact on SEMO's running game will again be a high priority.

Specialists Preview
One reason why Southeast Missouri's special teams have been so good over the years is because of their tireless attention to detail. SEMO returns one of the best punters in the Ohio Valley Conference in Preseason All-OVC selection Zach Haynes. A two-time First-Team All-OVC pick, Haynes led the OVC with 66 punts and ranked third in punting average (41.2 ypp) a year ago. Adam Krause shared kickoff duties in 2021. As far as placekicking goes, newcomer Jorge Figueroa is projected to assume starting duties.

Secondary Preview
The backend of Southeast Missouri's defense is loaded with experience and when the secondary is at the top of its game, it can be one of the best in the country. Seven of the eight defensive backs on SEMO's two-deep saw significant reps last season and four return with starting experience between the safety and cornerback spots. Lawrence Johnson is one of the more prominent threats. Johnson played in the first six games and made three starts at strong safety. He finished with 23 tackles before sustaining a season-ending shoulder injury. Ty Leonard and Trai Hodges are also back after each started 10 games in 2021.

Receivers Preview
Southeast Missouri has an exciting group of wide receivers with the playmaking ability and athleticism to take this year's offense to a whole new level. Five of the six listed on the depth chart are upperclassmen. Preseason All-Ohio Valley Conference senior Johnny King is SEMO's top receiver. King caught 24 passes for a team-high 449 yards and five touchdowns last season. Alongside King in the Redhawks three-receiver set will be newcomers Damoriea Vick and Ryan Flournoy. Vick transferred to SEMO from Missouri State where he played three seasons. Flournoy was Iowa Western Community College's leading receiver with 32 catches for 545 yards and five touchdowns in 2021.

Linebackers Preview
The Redhawk linebackers have gone through a bit of transition with Connor Benado and Tim Billings coaching those areas for the first time. Benado takes over the inside linebackers and Billings is in his first year overseeing the outside. Southeast Missouri returns its top defensive player at middle linebacker in sophomore Bryce Norman. Norman, a Preseason All-Ohio Valley Conference pick, started the final seven games of last season and led the Redhawks with 66 stops. He also ranked second on the team with 7.5 tackles for loss and claimed HERO Sports and Phil Steele Freshman All-America accolades. Mali Walton or Christian Fuhrman could start at the other inside linebacker spot. Northern Illinois transfer Jordan Cole, Mike Matthews and Keilyn Tyus vye for the starting job at field outside linebacker. At the rush position, senior Keandre Booker has the edge. Billings is back in Cape Girardeau for his second coaching stint. With over 40 years of experience, he was SEMO's head coach from 2000-05 and returns following five seasons at Southern Mississippi.

Running Backs Preview
Southeast Missouri's backfield features one of the nation's best in senior Geno Hess. Hess, the Preseason Ohio Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Year, was the league's leading rusher with 1,116 yards, 14 touchdowns and 111.6 yards per game in 2021. He is on pace to become SEMO's all-time leading rusher. Complementing Hess at tailback is Shamenski Rucker. Newcomer Darrell Smith is also getting reps.

Quarterbacks Preview
The Redhawk quarterbacks are used to dealing with lots of pressure. How they embrace it and go about their business is what's going to give this year's team the best chance to do something special. Junior Paxton DeLaurent will start under center in his first year at the NCAA Division I level. DeLaurent enjoyed success over the last two seasons at Central Methodist. There, he threw for 2,499 yards and 25 touchdowns, and was the Eagles leading rusher with 553 yards and seven scores in 2021. CJ Ogbonna is back after starting all 11 games at quarterback a year ago. Jacob Buie, Christian Perez, Patrick Heitert and Carson Smith are the rest of SEMO's signal-callers.

Redhawks in Professional Football
Three former Southeast Missouri players are presently on active NFL rosters. Corner back Mike Ford is with the Atlanta Falcons, offensive lineman Drew Forbes is with the Cleveland Browns and wide receiver Kristian Wilkerson is with the New England Patriots. Two other former Redhawks are playing in the USFL. Defensive end Aaron Adeyoe is with the Birmingham Stallions and defensive tackle Josh Avery is with the Houston Gamblers.

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.




 

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Players Mentioned

Keandre Booker

#49 Keandre Booker

OLB
6' 3"
Redshirt Freshman
Jacob  Buie

#12 Jacob Buie

QB
6' 5"
Redshirt Sophomore
Terry Cook

#76 Terry Cook

OL
6' 4"
Junior
Zach Haynes

#47 Zach Haynes

K/P
6' 1"
Redshirt Freshman
Geno Hess

#6 Geno Hess

RB
5' 8"
Redshirt Sophomore
Trai Hodges

#25 Trai Hodges

DB
5' 10"
Junior
Lawrence Johnson

#7 Lawrence Johnson

DB
6' 0"
Junior
Nate Korte

#68 Nate Korte

OL
6' 4"
Junior
Adam Krause

#39 Adam Krause

P
6' 0"
Junior
Ty Leonard

#5 Ty Leonard

DB
6' 0"
Redshirt Freshman

Players Mentioned

Keandre Booker

#49 Keandre Booker

6' 3"
Redshirt Freshman
OLB
Jacob  Buie

#12 Jacob Buie

6' 5"
Redshirt Sophomore
QB
Terry Cook

#76 Terry Cook

6' 4"
Junior
OL
Zach Haynes

#47 Zach Haynes

6' 1"
Redshirt Freshman
K/P
Geno Hess

#6 Geno Hess

5' 8"
Redshirt Sophomore
RB
Trai Hodges

#25 Trai Hodges

5' 10"
Junior
DB
Lawrence Johnson

#7 Lawrence Johnson

6' 0"
Junior
DB
Nate Korte

#68 Nate Korte

6' 4"
Junior
OL
Adam Krause

#39 Adam Krause

6' 0"
Junior
P
Ty Leonard

#5 Ty Leonard

6' 0"
Redshirt Freshman
DB