SEMO Playoff Football; Game Day Timeline for Fans

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – The SEMO Redhawks prepare to host #12 Illinois State in the first round of the NCAA Division I Football Championship Saturday.

The 2024 season marks SEMO’s fifth Football Championship Subdivision Playoff appearance. This is the Redhawks fourth playoff appearance since 2018.

Southeast Missouri is 1-4 all time in the FCS Playoffs. SEMO’s only playoff win was a 28-14 Victory over #15 Stony Brook back on November 24, 2018. The Redhawks look to change that narrative on Saturday.

SEMO football head coach Tom Matukewicz discusses what his team is preparing for going into their home playoff game against Illinois state.

He says that he looks forward to seeing big plays from his seniors on Saturday.

“I think it starts with the line of scrimmage.” Says Head Coach Tom Matukewicz, “their goal line and D lines are, you know, they’ve won most of those match ups in the Missouri Valley now have 1,000 yard back on offense. It’s been a tough tackle. He’s had over 500 yards of after contact and so big back breaks a lot of tackles. ”

SEMO quarterback Paxton DeLaurent says he knows the game will be tough, saying Illinois State is an impressive team, especially when it comes to their defense.

“They’re sound and they and they do a lot in the back end.” Says DeLaurent, “I’m really impressed with how much effort they put in their defense. You know, like you see those defense where eight guys are tackling a ball carrier they are doing that.”

The Redhawks look to shock the Illinois State RedBrids Tomorrow with kickoff set for 11 a.m. at Houck Field.