Southeast Football

Clemson University head football coach Dabo Swinney’s first-ever non-quarterback transfer portal pickup is coming straight out of Cape Girardeau. Southeast Missouri State wide receiver Tristan Smith announced his decision to transfer to Clemson on Monday, Dec. 16...

Southeast Missouri State linebacker Bryce Norman and kicker DC Pippin were named as first-team members in the FCS AP All-America team. SEMO offensive lineman Kobe Sixkiller was also named Offense honorable mention. Montana State quarterback Tommy Mellott and Southern Utah running back Targhee Lambson, both finalists for the Walter Payton Award given to the most outstanding player in the Championship Subdivision...

Chase O'Neal was synonymous with Poplar Bluff Mules football this fall as a starter on both the offensive and defensive lines and also as a team leader. Now, that success is paying off for him, as he has signed to be a preferred walk-on at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau...

Paxton DeLaurent ended his college career as one of, if not the most consequential athlete in the history of Southeast Missouri State athletics. DeLaurent leaves SEMO with two of the Redhawks’ five Ohio Valley Conference titles and all the significant passing records (8,563 yards, 737 completions, 63 touchdowns in three years). He has punctuated his end by revealing his future plans by declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft...

Transferring is a part of life in college football because not all places, and players, are created equal. Everyone who plays football or basketball at Southeast Missouri State does so because they are motivated by the opportunities that playing for the Redhawks presents them with...

It’s a shame that one 1-3 month undermined what seemed like a potentially historic season. Southeast Missouri State’s FCS Playoff loss to Illinois State last week wasn’t just the end of the 2024 season, but the end of one of the most legendary football journeys in our community’s history...

Southeast Missouri State wide receiver Tristan Smith announced on social media his intention to enter the transfer portal with one more year left of eligibility. "First and foremost, I would like to thank God," Smith said in his statement. "Thank you to SEMO for the past year I have been here. ...

In his final game at Houck Field, Southeast Missouri State senior quarterback Paxton DeLaurent had the equivalent of a warrior’s death. The Redhawks all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns, tied an FCS single-game record with 85 passing attempts in a 35-27 loss against Illinois State in the first round of the FCS Playoffs on Nov. 30...

Southeast Missouri State football’s playoff hopes dashed as Illinois State dominates behind a 35-27 loss in the opening round of the FCS playoffs on Saturday, Nov. 30, at Houck Field.

Southeast Missouri State football takes on Illinois State in the FCS playoff opener on Saturday and will look to right the ship following a loss in the regular season finale. Read how the Redhawks can leverage home advantage and rebound at Houck Field.

SEMO football's Paxton DeLaurent and Bryce Norman earn 2024 Big South-OVC Player of the Year honors, marking a historic first for the Redhawks. The seniors are also two of 13 SEMO players to earn all-conference selections.

Southeast Missouri State will host a game in the first round of the FCS Playoffs at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov 30. This is SEMO’s fifth FCS Playoff appearance and fourth since the 2018. The Redhawks (9-3) will host No. 12 seed Illinois State (9-3) despite being the lower seed. Illinois State’s stadium, Hancock Stadium, is reserved on Nov. 29-30 for the IHSA football state championship games...

Southeast Missouri State football ended its regular season with a 28-21 defeat to Tennessee State on Saturday at Nissan Stadium. After clinching the Big South-Ohio Valley Conference's automatic berth to the FCS playoffs, SEMO will await its opponent during Sunday's FCS Playoff selection show.

Who would have thought that the only obstacle standing in the way between the Southeast Missouri State football team and the outright Big South-OVC championship, a school record 10th win, and a spot in the FCS playoffs, is a team coached by an NFL legend?...

No. 11 SEMO travels to Nashville, Tenn. to take on Tennessee State with an outright OVC title and an FCS playoff berth at stake. Key storylines include SEMO's defensive response, run game impact, special teams, and potential record milestones.

SEMO offensive coordinator Jeromy McDowell's journey from Redhawks quarterback to a top FCS play-caller is marked by patience and adaptability. Flash forward to today and he now has the top-ranked OVC offense on the cusp of an outright conference championship.

The SEMO Redhawks secured a 54-45 win against Western Illinois on Saturday, Nov. 16, setting the stage for a conference title bid at Tennessee State next weekend.

The SEMO Redhawks aim to bounce back against Western Illinois this Saturday following their first FCS loss. Can Coach Matukewicz's squad inch closer to securing a playoff spot and conference title?

The Southeast Missouri State Redhawks host a Western Illinois team that is trying to emulate the example set by head coach Tom Matukewicz. The Leathernecks, under first-year head coach Joe Davis, are 3-7, 2-4 in their first season in the Big South-OVC. It's an improvement over the past two winless seasons during their final years in the Missouri Valley Football Conference...

Senior outside linebacker Sam Cook has shined in recent weeks for SEMO, which is aiming to rebound against Western Illinois this Saturday. After a tough loss at Lindenwood, Cook's standout defense offers hope as the Redhawks continue to chase their FCS Playoff dream.

The Southeast Missouri State Redhawks host the Leathernecks of Western Illinois in the final home game of the regular season on Saturday, Nov. 16. SEMO (8-2, 5-1 Big South-OVC) dropped to No. 12 in the nation after the 24-12 upset loss at Lindenwood a week ago. The Redhawks still sit atop the Big South-Ohio Valley Conference while Western Illinois (3-7, 2-4 Big South-OVC) is seventh in the conference standings...

Third time was the charm for Lindenwood. The Lions saluted their seniors and shocked the FCS world with a shocking upset win over No. 6 Southeast Missouri State 24-12 on a soaked Saturday afternoon in St. Charles. It was the first time the Lions took home the Gameball Brawl trophy since moving to Division I and establishing the Big South-OVC rivalry with SEMO. The Redhawks have won the past two meetings by double-digits...

The Southeast Missouri State football team emerges from their second bye week of the season undefeated in FCS play, leading the Big South-OVC and riding a seven-game winning streak. The bye week came at an opportune time for the Redhawks, who have piled up injuries right next to their stack of victories. SEMO head coach Tom Matukewicz said he took the opportunity to give his players the week off to rest before returning to preparation for their next game...

In a game in which No. 6 Southeast Missouri State defeated Gardner-Webb 30-24 on homecoming Saturday, the turnovers can be the difference between winning and losing. SEMO defensive back Ty Leonard swooped in and intercepted Gardner-Webb quarterback Tyler Ridell not once but twice, evening him with the number of picks Paxton DeLaurent threw...

Injuries are a part of the nature of football. All great teams win the battle of attrition on their way to the top. However, there's nothing common about the No. 6 Southeast Missouri State Redhawks continuing to soar despite how many times their wings get clipped...

SEMO head coach Tom Matukewicz grinned broadly as he acknowledged the Redhawks student section and walked off the field. The sweet roar of the crowd’s energy showered the field, and the players greeted them in celebration. Paxton DeLaurent threw for 312 yards and two touchdowns, running back Cole Ruble had a career day, and defensive back Ty Leonard had two clutch interceptions to defeat the visiting Runnin’ Bulldogs 30-24 on homecoming Saturday...

HILLSBORO — Brothers Preston and Payton Brown have become synonymous with excellence during their careers on the football field. Both Browns helped the Hillsboro football Hawks reach the Class 4 state championship game last fall — and that success has continued in 2024...

Back to friendly confines. After a long flight trip to Charleston, S.C. this past weekend, the SEMO football team will return to its home turf on Saturday for another Big South-OVC clash against Gardner-Webb on homecoming. No. 6 SEMO (7-1, 4-0 OVC), who climbed to sixth in the FCS polls for its highest ranking in program history, hosts the Runnin' Bulldogs (2-5, 1-2) at 2 p.m. ...

This season has been another breakout year for SEMO offensive lineman Kobe Sixkiller. The 6-foot-1, 300-pound senior has 30 career starts and counting, and is proving to be a rock-solid force in the heart of a Redhawks offensive line that has only surrendered 11 sacks all season...

CHARLESTON, S.C. – In its fourth straight conference game, No. 8 SEMO took care of business with a 26-13 road win against Charleston Southern on Saturday afternoon. Quarterback Paxton DeLaurent threw for 335 yards and a touchdown behind a 58.2 completion rate against a Buccaneers team that entered the game with the top pass defense in the conference...

There was plenty to like about eighth-ranked SEMO football's performance this past weekend, as head coach Tom Matukewicz’s squad hammered Tennessee Tech 34-3 in another conference game that found them as heavy favorites. Quarterback Paxton DeLaurent became the program’s all-time leading passer, the defense held an opponent to under 300 total yards of offense for the third time this season, and the Redhawks won their fifth in a row...

In recent years, the running game was the backbone of the Southeast Missouri State offense during Geno Hess' time in the backfield. This year, it has taken a village to move the ball through the ground for the Redhawks, in more ways than one. Freshman Peyton Brown first established himself with 97 rushing yards and three touchdowns in SEMO’s 37-15 win over North Alabama. He also rushed for 124 yards and a touchdown during the Redhawks’ rivalry win at Southern Illinois...

Tristan Smith's path from junior college product to SEMO standout is marked by a pivotal play against Tennessee Tech and a unique path of perseverance and growth, making him a key player in SEMO's 6-1 season.

Paxton DeLaurent's journey to becoming Southeast Missouri State's all-time leading passer in yards (6,563) and touchdowns (50), both records set on Saturday, Oct. 12, during a 34-3 win over Tennessee Tech, has resembled the original Star Wars trilogy...

The Southeast Missouri State University Redhawks overcame a turnover-laced first half to rout the Golden Eagles of Tennessee Tech 34-3 in Cape Girardeau on Saturday, Oct. 12. Quarterback Paxton DeLaurent threw for more than 400 yards and tallied four touchdown passes, becoming SEMO's career touchdown passing leader...

Entering a crucial Big South-OVC matchup against Tennessee Tech on Saturday, Oct. 12, at Houck Field, Southeast Missouri State (5-1) operates like a reptile shedding its skin while maintaining dominance over the terrain. Week after week, the No. 9 Redhawks have suffered key losses while still winning games and maintaining a perfect record against fellow FCS competition...

The SEMO Redhawk football team aims to extend their five-game winning streak with a home matchup against Tennessee Tech tomorrow afternoon. Read the four biggest storylines heading into Saturday's conference showdown.

Born and raised in Athens, Georgia, Jaylon Stone grew up wanting to wear the red and black on the football field at the college level. Eventually, he got his wish — sort of. “I lived up the street from the school (University of Georgia),” Stone said. “Of course, that was my dream and stuff, but eventually I got an opportunity out here...

Southeast Missouri State defeated Big South-OVC rival Eastern Illinois 38-27 on the road to remain undefeated in FCS play on Saturday, Oct. 5, in Charleston, Ill. The Redhawks established a 17-0 first quarter lead on kicker DC Pippin’s only field goal of the game, and two touchdown passes from quarterback Paxton DeLaurent to receivers Dorian Anderson and Mitchell Sellers...

CHARLESTON, Ill. — There aren’t a ton of questions for head coach Tom Matukewicz and his No. 13 SEMO Redhawks following their 38-27 triumph over Eastern Illinois on Saturday afternoon. While Eastern Illinois began to mount a comeback in the second half, SEMO bounced back from a low-scoring win over Northwestern State last weekend and took care of business to leave little doubt about the team’s mental state as they continue to dive into conference play...

The thirteenth-ranked SEMO football program’s 2024 journey continues this Saturday when the Redhawks travel to Charleston, Illinois for a date with conference rival Eastern Illinois. This is not the type of matchup many expected when the schedule was released. No. 13 SEMO (4-1) has a road test that suddenly features an Eastern Illinois (1-4) team that has struggled and appears to be a shell of its 8-3 self a year ago...

The path of transitioning from a successful high school football player to achieving at a high level in college can take many paths. For some, the process takes years, often involving transfers between schools and between NCAA divisions. Constantly waiting for an opportunity to showcase one’s talent can be a frustrating process — one that requires much patience and optimism...

Slowly but surely, the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks were going to exercise the Demons of Northwestern State on Saturday, Sept. 28. One field goal at a time, a 19-0 defensive shutout, and Houck Field is now clear. This was a significant game for the defense, who held a Division I opponent scoreless for the first time in 30 years, a 10-0 win over UT Martin on Sept. ...

No. 13 SEMO found out that its offense can be slowed down. Carried by stifling defensive play and kicker DC Pippin’s four field goals, the Redhawks did just enough to get by Northwestern State 19-0 on Saturday afternoon at Houck Stadium. Coming off an away victory at then-top 10 ranked Southern Illinois was dramatic, and a potential “let down” spot against an inferior opponent was looming. ...

A year ago, linebacker Jared Pedraza and offensive lineman Tyler McMillan were rocking their blue and orange helmets on the Northwestern State football practice field at Turpin Stadium in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Fast forward to today and the new pair of SEMO starters will be wearing two different colors – red and black – while competing against their former team at Houck Field on Saturday, Sept. 28...

Sometimes the most challenging thing for a program is not climbing to the top, but rather staying at the top. Over the first four games of the 2024 season, the SEMO Redhawks have gone from “hunter” to “hunted” after sprinting to a 3-1 start, knocking off then-ranked rivals UT Martin and Southern Illinois and climbing to No. 13 in the FCS poll – their highest ranking since September of 2023...

Mali Walton patiently waited his turn to become the starting linebacker at SEMO. “Ever since I’ve been here, we've had a really good group of guys, so it's sort of a ‘next man up’ mindset,” Walton said. “Through the previous years, I've had opportunities to come and be the next guy up. When someone goes down or needs a breather or anything, just being always ready...

As the rivalry with Southern Illinois has shifted, so has Southeast Missouri's fortunes. Nine and four, two numbers that have become synonymous with SEMO and this game since 2018. When SEMO wins this game, they go on to finish the season with nine wins but finish with four if they lose...

Throughout the long history of Southeast Missouri State football, there are very few games as monumental as this one. SEMO's 38-21 victory over No. 7 Southern Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 21, on the road at Carbondale, Illinois, was the Redhawks' fourth victory over an opponent ranked in the top 10 and third highest-ranked victory in program history ...

Dorian Anderson After Ryan Flournoy had a season worthy of the National Football League a year ago, one of the biggest question marks concerning Southeast Missouri State's offense entering this season was would step up to replace him. Four weeks in, the answer is clear. All No. 21 SEMO needed was one of their receivers to get an upgrade...