SEMO vs. Southern Illinois football

Southeast Missouri State drops its season opener to Southern Illinois 38-10 Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011 at Houck Stadium.

Fred Lynch and Kristin Eberts

FRED LYNCH ~ flynch@semissourian.com Southern Illinois' Steven McKinney hauls in a pass against Southeast Missouri State during the second quarter Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011 at Houck Stadium.

KRISTIN EBERTS ~ keberts@semissourian.com The Golden Eagles marching band performs during half-time of Southeast Missouri State's season opener against Southern Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011, at Houck Stadium. SEMO lost 38-10.

KRISTIN EBERTS ~ keberts@semissourian.com The Sundancers perform during half-time of Southeast Missouri State's season opener against Southern Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011, at Houck Stadium. SEMO lost 38-10.

KRISTIN EBERTS ~ keberts@semissourian.com Southeast Missouri State's Matt Scheible regains his balance after passing Southern Illinois' Scott Cole, left, and Mike McElroy during the third quarter of Southeast's season opener on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011, at Houck Stadium. SEMO lost 38-10.

KRISTIN EBERTS ~ keberts@semissourian.com Southeast Missouri State fans cheer during SEMO's season opener against Southern Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011, at Houck Stadium. SEMO lost 38-10.

KRISTIN EBERTS ~ keberts@semissourian.com Southeast Missouri State's Matt Scheible hands off to Renard Celestin as Southern Illinois' Travis Littles closes in during the third quarter of Southeast's season opener on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011, at Houck Stadium. SEMO lost 38-10.

KRISTIN EBERTS ~ keberts@semissourian.com Southeast Missouri State's Matt Scheible launches a pass as teammate Evan Conrad blocks Southern Illinois' Kayon Swanson during the fourth quarter of Southeast's season opener on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011, at Houck Stadium. SEMO lost 38-10.

KRISTIN EBERTS ~ keberts@semissourian.com Southeast Missouri State fans cheer during SEMO's season opener against Southern Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011, at Houck Stadium. SEMO lost 38-10.

KRISTIN EBERTS ~ keberts@semissourian.com Southeast Missouri State's D.J. Foster swerves to avoid a stray helmet and Southern Illinois' Boo Rodgers as Southeast's Aaron King, left, looks on during the third quarter of Southeast's season opener on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011, at Houck Stadium. SEMO lost 38-10.

KRISTIN EBERTS ~ keberts@semissourian.com Southeast Missouri State fans cheer during SEMO's season opener against Southern Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011, at Houck Stadium. SEMO lost 38-10.

KRISTIN EBERTS ~ keberts@semissourian.com Rowdy the Redhawk pumps up the crowd during Southeast Missouri State's season opener against Southern Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011, at Houck Stadium. SEMO lost 38-10.

FRED LYNCH ~ flynch@semissourian.com Southern Illinois' Steve Strother runs for the first touchdown of the game with Southeast Missouri State defenders Tylor Brock, left, and Philip Klaproth in pursuit during the first quarter Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011 at Houck Stadium.

KRISTIN EBERTS ~ keberts@semissourian.com Southeast Missouri State's Spencer Davis is pulled down by Southern Illinois' James McFadden (24) and Mike McElroy (26) during the third quarter of Southeast's season opener on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011, at Houck Stadium. SEMO lost 38-10.

KRISTIN EBERTS ~ keberts@semissourian.com Southeast Missouri State fans cheer during SEMO's season opener against Southern Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011, at Houck Stadium. SEMO lost 38-10.

KRISTIN EBERTS ~ keberts@semissourian.com Southeast Missouri State's Spencer Davis maneuvers past Southern Illinois' Kevin Reed during the third quarter of Southeast's season opener on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011, at Houck Stadium. SEMO lost 38-10.

KRISTIN EBERTS ~ keberts@semissourian.com Southeast Missouri State's Darrick Borum, left, and Tylor Brock try to block a Southern Illinois' kick during the fourth quarter of Southeast's season opener on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011, at Houck Stadium. SEMO lost 38-10.

KRISTIN EBERTS ~ keberts@semissourian.com Southeast Missouri State fans cheer during SEMO's season opener against Southern Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011, at Houck Stadium. SEMO lost 38-10.

KRISTIN EBERTS ~ keberts@semissourian.com Southeast Missouri State's Matt Scheible changes direction to avoid Southern Illinois' Mike McElroy during the third quarter of Southeast's season opener on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011, at Houck Stadium. SEMO lost 38-10.

FRED LYNCH ~ flynch@semissourian.com Southeast Missouri State cheerleaders and the Golden Eagles Marching Band perform outside Houck Stadium Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011 before the football game.

FRED LYNCH ~ flynch@semissourian.com The Southeast Missouri State Redhawks run onto the field for their game with Southern Illinois Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011.

FRED LYNCH ~ flynch@semissourian.com Tailgaters in the eastern end zone of Houck Stadium watch the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks take the field before the game with the Southern Illinois Salukis on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011.

FRED LYNCH ~ flynch@semissourian.com Ty Margenthaler, Southeast Missouri State women's basketball coach, works the grill at a tailgate for the team outside Houck Stadium Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011 before the football game.

FRED LYNCH ~ flynch@semissourian.com Southeast Missouri State coach Tony Samuel talks to Frankie Davis during the first quarter Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011 at Houck Stadium.

FRED LYNCH ~ flynch@semissourian.com Southern Illinois quarterback Paul McIntosh carries the ball against Southeast Missouri State defenders Taylor Ramsey, left, and Steve Hendry during the first quarter Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011 at Houck Stadium.

FRED LYNCH ~ flynch@semissourian.com Southeast Missouri State quarterback Matt Scheible runs on a keeper past Southern Illinois defenders during the second quarter Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011 at Houck Stadium.

FRED LYNCH ~ flynch@semissourian.com Southern Illinois' Jewel Hampton tries to run over Southeast Missouri State's Kweku Arkorful during the first quarter Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011 at Houck Stadium.