Southeast Missouri (4-5, 3-1 Big South-OVC) at #16 UT Martin (7-2, 4-1 Big South-OVC)
Game Information
Date: Saturday, November 11, 2023
Kickoff: 2 p.m., CT
Location: Martin, Tenn.
Facility: Graham Stadium (7,500)
Surface: Field Turf
Series: Tied, 19-19
Head Coaches: Tom Matukewicz (55-57 Overall; 54-57 at SEMO; 41-28 Big South-OVC). Jason Simpson (114-86 Overall; 114-86 Big South-OVC; 86-48 Big South-OVC).
Follow the Redhawks
Radio: Real Rock 99.3 FM (Erik Sean)
Video: ESPN+
Live Stats: UTMSports.com
Twitter: @SEMOfootball
Game Notes: Southeast Missouri (PDF)
Redhawks Head to #18 UT Martin
Southeast Missouri (4-5, 3-1) hits the road to face #16 UT Martin (7-2, 4-1) in a Big South-OVC showdown Saturday. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m., CT at Graham Stadium.
Follow the Redhawks
Fans can listen live on the radio at Real Rock 99.3 FM. Erik Sean will be on the call. Video can be accessed online at ESPN+. Live stats are available at UTMSports.com. Twitter updates will be provided @SEMOFootball.
Series History
The series between Southeast Missouri and UT Martin is deadlocked at 19-19. SEMO won four of the last five games of the series. The Redhawks came away with a win in Martin two of the previous three triips there. SEMO and UTM did not play each other a year ago.
Three-Game Winning Streak Ends
The Redhawks saw their season-long three-game winning streak end with a 21-20 loss to Robert Morris (Nov. 4) in their home finale. Southeast Missouri beat Eastern Illinois (35-28, Oct. 14) at home and both Tennessee Tech (28-3, Oct. 21) and Nicholls (35-31, Oct. 28) on the road during its winning streak.
Big South-OVC Picture
UT Martin stands atop the Big South-OVC standings with a 4-1 record as one of three teams with one league loss. Southeast Missouri and Gardner-Webb are also in the hunt with 3-1 records. SEMO will travel to Bryant for its last regular-season game on Nov. 18. If the Redhawks win out and Gardner-Webb loses, they will clinch the Big South-OVC title and the league's automatic berth to the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision Playoffs.
Good Luck Seniors
Southeast Missouri honored its 17 seniors prior to kickoff of its game vs. Robert Morris (Nov. 4). Ryan Flournoy, Damoriea Vick, Christian Fuhrman, Mike Matthews, Dalyn McDonald, Garrett Todd, Q'Nairies Anderson, Jacob Morrissey, Lunden Manuel, AJ Laux, Clive Truschel, LaWilliam Holmes, Geno Hess, Lawrence Johnson, Ty Leonard and student-assistants Izeal Terrell and Caleb Williams were recognized.
Hess Approaching 5,000 Rushing Yards
Geno Hess is just 58 rushing yards away from reaching 5,000 in his career. Hess, Southeast Missouri's all-time leading rusher, has 4,942 yards. He is on pace to become the first player in program history to ever rush for 5,000 career yards.
Another 1,000-Yard Season in Sight
Geno Hess enters Saturday's game with 830 rushing yards and needs 170 more to get 1,000 in a season for the third year in a row. Hess finished with 1,116 rushing yards in 2021 and 1,691 yards in 2022.
Norman Brings Home Big South-OVC Defensive Player of the Week Honors
Inside linebacker Bryce Norman was named Big South-OVC Association Co-Defensive Player of the Week on Nov. 5. A native of nearby Jackson, Norman put together a massive performance against Robert Morris (Nov. 4). He collected a game-high 12 tackles, career-high three sacks, 3.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble and fumble return for a touchdown. With just under eight minutes left in the second quarter, Norman sacked Anthony Chiccitt. Chiccitt fumbled on the play and Norman scooped up the ball and raced 46 yards to the end zone for SEMO's final TD of the game. At the time, the score put the Redhawks ahead, 17-14, with 7:57 on the clock. It is the second Defensive Player of the Week honor during Norman's career.
Nine of 10 League Wins
Southeast Missouri has won nine of its last 10 conference games dating back to the end of the 2021 season. SEMO recently had its nine-game conference winning streak snapped with a 21-20 setback vs. Robert Morris (Nov. 4). The Redhawks were undefeated at 5-0 in league play a year ago.
Ruble Gets First Career Carries
Freshman Cole Ruble saw his first action in the Redhawk backfield against Robert Morris (Nov. 4). Ruble gained five yards on two carries in that game.
Big First Half
On the defensive side of the football, Southeast Missouri put together a big first half against Robert Morris (Nov. 4). During the opening 30 minutes of play, SEMO blocked a field goal, posted two takeaways and scored a touchdown. Bryce Norman returned a fumble 46 yards for the Redhawks second defensive touchdown of the season. Additionally, SEMO executed an on-side kick that Logan Bruns recovered.
Two-Straight Road Wins
The Redhawks picked up their first road win of the season when it beat Tennessee Tech, 28-3, on Oct. 21. Southeast Missouri ended a four-game road losing streak dating back to its FCS Playoff loss at Montana in 2022. A week later, SEMO pulled off a 35-31 win to complete a two-game sweep of Southland Conference member Nicholls (Oct. 28). The matchup with Nicholls was the Redhawks final non-conference game of the season.
Over 100 Yards Again
For the fourth time in five starts, Geno Hess ran for over 100 yards. Hess recently finished with 150 rushing yards and on 20 carries vs. Robert Morris (Nov. 4). He averaged 7.5 yards per carry. Additionally, Hess caught four passes for 10 yards.
Among the Top-Five
Southeast Missouri has two players among the top-five in the Big South-OVC Association in tackles. Bryce Norman currently stands second with 73 stops and Lawrence Johnson is fifth with 65.
Red Zone Offense
The Redhawks lead the Big South-OVC Association and rank 15th in the Football Championship Subdivision in red zone offense through nine games this season. Southeast Missouri scored on all but two of its chances (28-of-30) in the red zone. SEMO scored 22 touchdowns and kicked six field goals inside its opponent's 20-yard line.
Active Conference Leaders
Redhawks Geno Hess, Paxton DeLaurent and Ryan Flournoy are presently active leaders in Big South-OVC Association categories. Hess is the conference's active career leader in rushing (4,942 yards), scoring (378 points), rushing touchdowns (61) and all-purpose yards (5,336). DeLaurent is the active leader in passing average per game (263.3), pass efficiency (140.1 rating) and total offense (4,839 yards). Flournoy tops the Association in receptions (5.58) and receiving yards (87.6) per game.
Double-Digit Tackles
Since returning from his shoulder injury which kept him out the Lindenwood game on Sept. 9, Bryce Norman posted double-digit tackles in five contests. Norman recorded 12 tackles vs. Southern Illinois (Sept. 16) and followed that up with 10 at Eastern Kentucky (Sept. 23). He had 11 vs. Eastern Illinois (Oct. 14), added 12 at Nicholls (Oct. 28) and finished with 12 more vs. Robert Morris (Nov. 4). Norman finished with 10 or more tackles a total of 14 times in his. career.
