SEMO football begins stretch of four road games in five weeks at Tennessee Tech this Saturday

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – After defeating Eastern Illinois, 35-28, on homecoming, the Southeast Missouri State football team hits the road this week to take on Tennessee Tech.

SEMO quarterback Paxton DeLaurent said he sent up this prayer as Eastern Illinois quarterback Pierce Holley launched a last second Hail Mary to the end zone on the last play of this game. 

“I started saying a prayer all the way up. I was like come on, Lord, please, please!” DeLaurent said. “I saw their guy jump first, and we had three guys behind him, and it was like, oh my gosh, I thought he high pointed the ball perfectly, so I got really nervous.” 

But thankfully for DeLaurent and the rest of the Redhawks, defensive back Eric Ivory, Jr. got his hands on the ball and knocked it down. 

He shared what was on his mind when he saw the pass coming his way: “I’ve gotta go get it. I’ve gotta go get it.” 

And get it he did, simultaneously snapping a three-game losing streak and sending the home crowd into a frenzy. 

Ivory said this play ranks at the top of the list of plays he has made in his career. 

“I would say that’s the biggest play because it ended the game,” he said. 

But the Redhawks don’t have time to rest on their laurels, as they begin a string of four road games in five weeks this Saturday at Tennessee Tech. 

Head Coach Tom Matukewicz said the most challenging part of stretches like this for him is setting the pace of practice… 

“You can’t floor it because you’re going to run out of gas or you’re going to wreck, and you can’t tap the brakes all the time because you’re not going to get anywhere, so that push-pull, setting the pace as a coach is tough,” he said. 

And wide receiver Demoriea Vick said Fall Break at Southeast Thursday and Friday presents a bit of an advantage when it comes to preparing for Saturday. 

“I can come up here and watch some extra film or anything, so just more time for preparation for real,” he said.

The team will depart Cape Girardeau on Friday for the game Saturday at 1:30 pm.