SIU and SEMO get together for the 92nd edition of The War for the Wheel on Saturday.
Meet the Redhawks:
The Redhawks are coached by Tom Matukewicz, in his 11th year with the program as head coach. Coach Tuke was SIU's linebacker coach from 2001 to 2007 and came over to SEMO via Toledo where he was defensive coordinator. Matukewicz is 56-60 as head coach and has made the FCS playoffs 3 times.
In their opening game in Week 0 against North Alabama, SEMO won 37-15. In Week 1, they lost 23-16 at FBS New Mexico State. In week 2, they beat conference favorite UT Martin 45-42 in double overtime.
SEMO came into the season picked 3rd in the Big South-OVC Conference behind UT Martin and Eastern Illinois.
At quarterback for the Redhawks is 6'5 Senior Paxton DeLaurent. DeLaurent spent 2 years at Central Methodist University before transferring to SEMO in 2022. In his first season at SEMO, DeLaurent threw for 2,684 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. Last season, DeLaurent started the first 7 games before a shoulder injury ended his season. So far this season, DeLaurent has thrown for 767 yards, 8 touchdowns, and 1 interception. In the Redhawks double OT win over UT Martin, DeLaurent threw for 376 yards and 6 touchdowns.
The leading rusher for SEMO is 6-1 Freshman Payton Brown. In his collegiate debut in Week 0, Brown ran 19 times for 97 yards and had 3 rushing touchdowns in their win against North Alabama. In SEMO's win against UT Martin, the rushing attack combined for -11 rushing yards on 10 attempts.
Gone is Ryan Flournoy (6th round NFL Draft pick to Dallas) from SEMO's receiver room but they still have some talent left. 6-7 Senior Dorian Anderson played 2 seasons at D2 Shorter University before transferring to SEMO. Last season, Anderson caught 14 total passes and had 1 touchdown. This season, Anderson has tripled that touchdown total with 3 and has added 313 receiving yards on 19 receptions. In their win against UT Martin, Anderson caught 8 passes for 127 yards and 2 touchdowns. 5-11 Sophomore Cam Pedro was a 3 star recruit out of Suwanee, Georgia and spent 2 seasons at Marshall where he didn't play. So far this season, Pedro has caught 24 passes for 238 yards and 1 touchdown.
On the defensive side, SEMO returns 6-0 Senior linebacker Bryce Norman. Norman has earned First-team Big South-OVC Conference honors 2 seasons in a row and has led SEMO in tackles 3 seasons in a row. This preseason, Norman was named the Big South-OVC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. 6-1 Junior cornerback Justus Johnson is a transfer from Murray State and leads the Redhawks in interceptions with 2.
Weather:
Just bought my tickets. Online ticket sales indicate a very good looking crowd for this one. Hopefully there are a good amount of walkups to fill the endzone sections.
Just bought my tickets. Online ticket sales indicate a very good looking crowd for this one. Hopefully there are a good amount of walkups to fill the endzone sections.
Family Weekend and SEMO should get over 10,000. I’d guess the Illinois State game does well too and then there’s the North Dakota State homecoming game which could be our biggest crowd in awhile.
I am not able to watch the game tomorrow night due to an obligation.
Because this game is streamed live, does anyone here on SI know if I can rewatch at another time on Saturday, or perhaps Sunday? I don't believe I can record or TEVO the contest.
Any help would be appreciated. Thx, and I hope for a good crowd.
GO DAWGS!!!
I am not able to watch the game tomorrow night due to an obligation.
Because this game is streamed live, does anyone here on SI know if I can rewatch at another time on Saturday, or perhaps Sunday? I don't believe I can record or TEVO the contest.
Any help would be appreciated. Thx, and I hope for a good crowd.
GO DAWGS!!!
It should be available in ESPN+ after the game is finished. Just use the search function to search “Southern Illinois” and click the “On Demand” tab and it should show up there.
Edit: I can’t remember now if it is “On Demand” or “Replay”….it should be obvious whatever the label.
