Southeast Missouri State football prepares to face Southern Illinois in first-ever "War for the Wheel"

Southeast players, from left, Preston Haynes, Omardrick Douglas and Al Young congratulate running back Marquis Terry (3) after a touchdown last weekend against Dayton at Houck Stadium.

BEN MATTHEWS

The rivalry between Southeast Missouri State football and Southern Illinois dates back more than 100 years, but Saturday, something new will be at stake.

It's the 86th meeting between the two programs separated by just 45 miles, and the first edition of the "War for the Wheel." Last month, the rivalry between the two teams was given that name. The winner each year will get a trophy of sorts -- an authentic ship's wheel -- that can be displayed around campus or even the town.

The wheel draws on the history of the game. When the teams first played each other in 1909, they had to cross the Mississippi River by boat.

Travel is much different now, but SEMO will looking to take the ship's wheel home when it faces the Salukis at 6 p.m. Saturday in Carbondale, Illinois.

"Two years ago, I really wanted to play for a trophy. It makes sense," Redhawks coach Tom Matukewicz said. "People do it all the time in college football. Now, we're doing it. I think our players are excited about it. I know they will be, too. It will be a great college football night."

Last year, SIU rolled to a 35-17 win, its 10th victory in the last 12 games between these two programs. SEMO's last win came three years ago when Ryan McCrum nailed a 42-yard field goal with five seconds remaining.

Both teams enter this year's contest with 1-1 records, each having dropped a game to a Football Bowl Subdivision opponent. SEMO lost 48-21 in the season opener to Arkansas State while SIU fell 76-41 in a shootout last week against Mississippi.

SEMO beat Dayton 40-21 last week, thanks to a fourth-quarter surge, while SIU opened the season with a 40-10 win over Murray State.

Through two games, SIU has showcased an explosive offense. It ranks fourth in the Football Championship Subdivision in total offense with 537.5 yards per game and sixth in scoring offense with an average of 45 points.

Running back D.J. Davis has rushed for 121 yards or more in each of the first two games and is averaging 7.1 yards per carry. Landon Lenoir has 14 receptions for 108 yards, and Raphael Leonard is averaging 17.5 yards per reception on eight catches.

That Salukis offense is going against a SEMO secondary trying to replace three starters from last season. That includes cornerback Mike Ford, who's on the Detroit Lions practice squad.

Matukewicz said SEMO made some changes in the secondary after Dayton had 297 yards passing last week.

"I still feel like that's a work in progress," Matukewicz said. "It's a huge test this week. This receiving core, they're up there with Arkansas State, who has really, really talented guys. We're not going to shut them down. We just have to try to manage it."

The Redhawks have a potent offense of their own. The 40 points against Dayton were the most the Redhawks have scored since Oct. 29, 2016. Quarterback Daniel Santacaterina was named Ohio Valley Conference Co-Offensive Player and Newcomer of the Week after completing 21 of 31 passes for 269 yards and three touchdowns against the Flyers. He also rushed for a score a week after he was carted off the field following a hit to head in the second quarter against Arkansas State.

"There's a lot about being great at this game (that) he already has," Matukewicz said. "He's just rock-solid in about every standpoint."

Marquis Terry did his part with 202 yards rushing on 16 carries. He sealed the game with a late 95-yard TD run.

He's exciting to watch, man," Matukewicz said. "You think he's going to get tackled. Some way, he gets through there or around there. Runs so hard. He's exciting, and we've got to find creative ways to get him the ball because he's up there with the best I've been around. We're going to really need that this weekend."

While the offense excelled late with three fourth-quarter touchdowns, it was 1 of 9 on third-down conversions against Dayton. The Redhawks were successful on their only fourth-down attempt, but Matukewicz said they need to execute better on third downs to have a chance against SIU.

If they do, the Redhawks may have a chance to etch their name into the records books as the first-ever winners in the "War for the Wheel."