Southeast Missouri State football team to open with tough test

Six home games, including the opener against regional rival Southern Illinois, highlight Southeast Missouri State's 11-game football schedule released Monday.

The Redhawks, who won the program's first Ohio Valley Conference title and earned the program's first playoff berth last year, kick off the campaign at 6 p.m. Sept. 3 when SIU visits Houck Stadium.

Southeast beat the Salukis, at the time ranked fifth nationally, last year in Carbondale, Ill.

"That's a real tough opening game challenge," said Southeast coach Tony Samuel, whose team went 9-3 a year ago, including 7-1 in OVC play. "I'm sure it's going to be exciting with the rivalry rekindled the way it is.

"I suspect that's going to be a sold-out game to begin the season. I know it's going to be an intense football game."

The Redhawks head to Football Bowl Subdivision member Purdue of the Big Ten Conference following an open date.

Purdue will pay Southeast a school-record $315,000 that will be eclipsed in 2013 when the university receives $375,000 for a game at Mississippi.

"We've got the money game and then we get into conference play," Samuel said.

Southeast opens its eight-game OVC schedule at Tennessee Tech on Sept. 24. The Redhawks also make trips to Tennessee State on Oct. 8, Eastern Kentucky on Oct. 15 and Tennessee-Martin on Oct. 29.

The rest of the Redhawks' home schedule includes OVC games against Eastern Illinois on Oct. 1, Austin Peay for homecoming Oct. 22, Jacksonville State on Nov. 12 and Murray State on Nov. 19 in the finale.

Southeast also hosts NAIA Central Methodist on Nov. 5, part of three straight home dates to finish the regular season.

The Redhawks, who lost 20 key seniors from last season, begin spring practice Saturday.

"We have an awful lot of work to do, a lot of people to replace," Samuel said.