Southeast Missouri State football hosts Jacksonville State in crucial OVC matchup

Southeast Missouri State quarterback Daniel Santacaterina (10) celebrates with wide receiver Zack Smith (9) late in a dramatic 31-27 win over Austin Peay on Oct. 13 at Houck Stadium.

BEN MATTHEWS

Coming off a dramatic homecoming victory, the Southeast Missouri State football team doesn't get any respite with a conference matchup against a top-five program.

Jacksonville State, ranked No. 4 in the Football Championship Subdivision, looks to extend its Ohio Valley Conference winning streak to 37 games when it takes on Southeast at 1 p.m. Saturday at Houck Field.

In the past, SEMO has often had little to play for when it faces the Gamecocks. Coming off that 31-27 win over Austin Peay, though, SEMO is tied for third in the OVC and just one game back of conference leader JSU in the loss column.

"I'm just glad this game actually means something," fifth-year Southeast coach Tom Matukewicz said. "Our guys did a nice job versus Austin Peay, and now this does mean something. On paper, they're not beatable. You look at them statistically, and there's no chink in the armor. But you don't play on paper."

JSU (5-1, 4-0 OVC) is coming off a 49-22 win over Eastern Illinois last week and is three wins away from tying the FCS all-time conference winning streak.

The Gamecocks are the only FCS team ranked in the top 10 in the nation in both total offense and total defense.

The Gamecocks offense is second in the nation in total offense with 552.5 yards per game and third in scoring offense at 48.2 points per game.

Against EIU, Josh Pearson had eight catches for 137 yards and three touchdowns, becoming the first Gamecock with three touchdown receptions in a game since 2015. He's second in the nation with 11 TD catches.

Quarterback Zerrick Cooper had four touchdowns, three passing and one rushing, and threw for 240 yards.

The defense has done its part too and is also second in FCS in total defense, limiting opponents to 245.5 yards per game. The unit is also 10th in scoring defense, giving up an average of 16.8 points per game.

SEMO needed a touchdown run by Marquis Terry with 15 seconds left to edge Austin Peay last week. The senior running back has been limited the past two games due to injury and rushed for 40 yards on 20 carries against Austin Peay.

Quarterback Daniel Santacaterina shouldered the load, going 19-of-37 passing for 344 yards and three touchdowns, including 256 yards in the second half.

Zach Hall led the defense with 14 tackles.

Matukewicz hopes the defense can continue to tackle well and get off the field against Jacksonville State.

The Redhawks are shooting for their fourth win over a nationally-ranked team under Matukewicz.