SEMO football has heavy travel schedule in 2023

History shows that when the Southeast Missouri State football program advances into the FCS Playoffs, there is a good chance that it will have to travel quite a distance for its game(s).

The 2023 Redhawk schedule was released recently, and it will prepare SEMO quite well for both a high level of competition, as well as having the ability to travel and compete.

“I don’t like our schedule,” 10th-year SEMO coach Tom Matukewicz said recently. “But I don’t get to pick it.”

The Redhawks will only play four of their 11 games at the newly renovated Houck Field, which will have undergone nearly $16 million in construction by the Sept. 9 home opening game against Ohio Valley Conference foe Lindenwood.

“At the end of the day,” Matukewicz continued, “it’s our job to figure out how to win them.”

In last year’s run to an OVC championship, SEMO (5-0 last year in the league) didn’t face UT Martin, which also won all five of its league games. However, that won’t be the case in 2023.

The two teams will meet on Nov. 11 at Martin, Tenn.

In addition to Lindenwood and UT Martin, SEMO will also travel to face OVC foe Tennessee Tech (Nov. 11), while hosting Eastern Illinois (Oct. 14). However, in terms of conference opponents, the list doesn’t end there.

“All of my focus is on that it is a new world with the OVC joining the Big South Conference.

That is correct.

The two leagues have formed a merger (of sorts) in football, which will have the Redhawks hosting Robert Morris (Nov. 4) and traveling to Smithfield, Rhode Island for a regular season-ending game at Bryant (Nov. 18).

“Traveling to Rhode Island is a league game,” Matukewicz explained. “Bryant is now a league game since they are a part of the Big South, and we are going to play those types of games.

“The travel budget has probably increased (significantly).”

In addition to visiting New England, which Matukewicz acknowledged would be a “great experience for the student-athletes,” the Redhawks will also head into the deep South for a game against Nicholls State on Oct. 28.

SEMO will open the season on Sept. 2 at Kansas State, and in week three, host rival Southern Illinois (Sept. 16) in the annual “War for the Wheel Game.”

SEMO will have a couple of mid-season road tests at Eastern Kentucky (Sept. 23), which beat the Redhawks at Houck Field in 2022, as well as at Central Arkansas (Oct. 7), which follows a bye week.

SEMO fans can catch a glimpse of the 2023 Redhawks on Friday at Scott City High School in the program’s annual spring game.

Kickoff is set for 6 p.m., CT with tailgating and other activities beginning at 5 p.m.

The intrasquad game-simulated contest will wrap up the team's series of 15 practices.

The night will feature Team SEMO (black jerseys) against Team Redhawk (red jerseys), with honorary coaches being Scott City and SEMO alumni, Brent Anderson (Team Redhawk) and Greg Klund (Team SEMO).

The event is open to the public and donations are encouraged. The proceeds will go to the Boys and Girls Club.

Sponsors include Scott City Chamber of Commerce, The Front Porch, JAC3 Contracting, QNS, and SoutheastHEALTH.