Nicholls (0-2) vs. Southeast Missouri (1-1)

Game Information
Date: September 24, 2022
Kickoff: 2 p.m., CT 
Location: Cape Girardeau, Mo.
Facility: Houck Field
Surface: FieldTurf
Series: Tied, 7-7-1
Head Coaches: Tom Matukewicz (44-50 overall; 43-50 at SEMO). Nathan Brown (26-21 overall; 26-21 at UCA).

Follow the Redhawks
Radio: Real Rock 99.3 FM (Erik Sean, Rick Wieser, Rusty Hendricks)
Video: ESPN+
Live Stats: SEMORedhawks.com
Twitter: @SEMOfootball
Game Notes: Southeast Missouri (PDF)

Redhawks Welcome Central Arkansas
Southeast Missouri (2-1) hosts Central Arkansas (1-2) as part of Family Weekend Saturday. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m., CT at Houck Field.

Follow the Redhawks
Fans can listen live on the radio at Real Rock 99.3 FM. Erik Sean and Rick Wieser will be on the call. Watch on ESPN+. Live stats are available at SEMORedhawks.com and Twitter updates will be provided @SEMOFootball.

Black Out
Saturday's game between Southeast Missouri and Central Arkansas is a "Black Out." All SEMO fans are encouraged to wear black to support the Redhawks.

Series History
The series between Southeast Missouri and Central Arkansas is tied at 7-7-1. This year marks the first time SEMO and UCA face each other as Division I programs. All of the previous 15 matchups were when both schools were at the NCAA Division II level. The Bears won seven of the last eight meetings of the series.

Family Weekend
Central Arkansas visits Cape Girardeau during Family Weekend Saturday. Southeast Missouri is 6-1 on Family Weekend with Tom Matukewicz as its head coach. The Redhawks have won four-straight Family Weekend games.

Hess Two Touchdowns Away from Breaking Program's Career Total Touchdowns Record
Geno Hess is only two touchdowns away from breaking Southeast Missouri's all-time career record in total touchdowns. Hess has 35 touchdowns (33 rushing, 2 receiving) in his career. He trails only Walter Smallwood (36 touchdowns, 1965-68) in that category. Smallwood's record has stood for 54 years.

Happy Home-Opener
Southeast MIssouri won its home-opener with a 42-16 drubbing of Southland Conference member Nicholls (Sept. 17). SEMO improved to 19-13 all-time in home-openers during its NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision tenure. The Redhawks are 5-4 in home-openers under Head Coach Tom Matukewicz.

Let's Make it Three
The Redhawks are on a two-game winning streak after upending #17 Southern Illinois, 34-31, on Sept. 10 and Nicholls, 42-16, on Sept. 17. A win Saturday will give Southeast Missouri its first three-game winning streak since the end of the 2020 campaign -- Mar. 28-Apr. 11 during spring due to COVID-19.

This is Our House!
Southeast Missouri has won 17 of its last 22 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.

Norman Nabs OVC Defensive Player of the Week Accolades
Sophomore linebacker Bryce Norman recorded a career and Ohio Valley Conference high 17 tackles en route to winning the league's Defensive Player of the Week honor on Sept. 18. Norman had five solo stops and assisted on 12 others against Nicholls (Sept. 17). It was the third double-digit tackle game of his career. Norman led a Southeast Missouri defense that forced one turnover and limited the Colonels to only 50 rushing yards.

DeLaurent Repeats as OVC Newcomer of the Week
For the second-straight week, quarterback Paxton DeLaurent was named Ohio Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week. DeLaurent threw for over 300 yards for the second week in a row when he completed 22-of-32 passes for 309 yards and three touchdowns vs. Nicholls (Sept. 17). DeLaurent completed passes to 11 different receivers. He threw a pair of touchdown passes to Geno Hess and connected with Ryan Flournoy on an 18-yard strike. DeLaurent also scored on a 9-yard run to give Southeast Missouri a 14-0 lead early in the game.

Award-Winners
The Redhawks claimed multiple Ohio Valley Conference weekly honors in two-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.

Season-High
Southeast Missouri scored a season-high 42 points in its win over Nicholls (Sept. 17). The Redhawks, who rank second in the Ohio Valley Conference with 28.7 points per game, averaged 38 in their last two contests.

Block Party
The Redhawks blocked two kicks in their home-opening win over Nicholls (Sept. 17). Christian Fuhrman blocked a punt and Garrett Todd scooped up the ball and dashed 29 yards to the end zone. Meanwhile, Steven Lewis blocked a PAT. 

Matukewicz Fourth All-Time in Wins
Southeast Missouri Head Coach Tom Matukewics ranks fourth all-time in program history with 43 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)    43

Sack Count
The Redhawks collected seven sacks in their last two games, including four during their recent win over Nicholls (Sept. 17). Southeast Missouri ranks tied for second in the Ohio Valley Conference in sacks and is already nearly halfway to its season total of 16 sacks in 2021.

Three Touchdown Game for Hess
Running back Geno Hess scored three touchdowns to help key Southeast Missouri's win over Nicholls (Sept. 17). Hess ran for 70 yards and touchdown, and caught two receptions for 15 yards and a pair of scores out of the backfield. It was the fifth three-touchdown game of his career and first time he had a receiving touchdown as a Redhawk.

Spreading it Around
Paxton DeLaurent completed passes to 11 different receivers against Nicholls (Sept. 17). Johnny King (5), Ryan Flournoy (4), Pervis Frazier (3), Dalyn McDonald (2), Danny Joiner (2), Geno Hess (2), Jack Clinkenbeard (1), Garrett Todd (1), Shamenski Rucker (1), Will Weidemann (1) and Darrell Smith (1) combined for the Redhawks 23 receptions.

Top-10 in the FCS
As a team, Southeast Missouri ranks among the top-10 in the Football Championship Subdivision in blocked kicks (4th, 2), blocked punts (6th, 1), blocked punts allowed (1st, 0), fumbles lost (1st, 0), punt return defense (7th, -0.33) and sacks allowed (9th, 0.67). Individually, Paxton DeLaurent ranks among the top-10 in completions per game (9th, 24.7), passing touchdowns (7th, 8), points responsible for (8th, 54) and total offense (9th, 319 ypg). Garrett Todd is first in punt return touchdowns (1) and Johnny King ranks fourth in receptions per game (8.3).

Atop the OVC
Paxton DeLaurent leads the Ohio Valley Conference in passing average (287.7 ypg), pass efficiency (148.2) and total offense (319 ypg). Johnny King is first in the league in receptions per game (8.5) and DC Pippin leads the OVC in PAT kicking percentage (11-of-11, 1.000).

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 132-220 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.

Receiving Votes
For the first time this season, Southeast Missouri received votes in both the American Football Coaches Association Coaches and Stats Perform Media Polls. The Redhawks tallied 18 votes in the coaches poll and 93 votes in the media poll this week.

All Aboard the Hess Express
Geno Hess is in posiiton to do some major damage in Southeast Missouri's record book. Hess is 829 yards away from becoming SEMO's all-time leading rusher and four touchdowns from breaking the school's career rushing touchdowns mark. Hess (2,564 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 fifth behind Anderson on the career rushing list and second behind Smallwood with 33 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.

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 43 wins and 33 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 43-50 and 33-27 in the OVC as SEMO's head coach.

28 Wins
Since the start of the 2018 season, Southeast Missouri accumulated 28 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. Fifteen 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, Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans, Las Vegas Raiders, Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks and Philadelphia Eagles 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).    

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.