Iowa State will open its 2022 football season this Saturday against an opponent unlike any that a Matt Campbell-coached team has seen since he arrived in Ames.
Southeastern Missouri is not an FBS foe. They haven’t been to the FCS Playoffs in three years and they certainly aren’t a top 10 team in the championship subdivision.
Contrary to playing what turned out to be a top 25 Louisiana team, a top FCS program in South Dakota State (which ended up being canceled anyways), or a UNI team that throws all of its chips to the center to beat Iowa State, the Redhawks are a less-proven program.
That’s not to say this game can’t end up being close or Iowa State can’t cover a spread, but with the history of early-year struggles, it boasts less concern for the common fan.
WHAT THE CYCLONES ARE LINING UP AGAINST
While there might be a lot of question marks around the opponent for the weekend, there’s one certainty in the SEMO backfield.
Running back Geno Hess was named the Ohio Valley Conference Preseason Offensive Player of the Year.
Last season, the senior running back rushed for 1,117 yards and 14 touchdowns – a stat line impressive at any level.
The Redhawks don’t go to the air with Hess much, he only corralled five receptions in the entire 2021 season. However, with a new quarterback suiting up, who knows what SEMO might try.
Paxton DeLaurent won the starting quarterback job over C.J. Ogbonna, who started every game for the Redhawks a year ago.
DeLaurent comes to SEMO after transferring from Central Methodist Univerisity, an NAIA school in the Heart of America Conference.
There, he threw for 2,499 yards, 25 touchdowns and 14 interceptions while leading the team to a 9-3 record. During the season, DeLaurent was also the leading rusher for CMU, putting up 553 yards on the ground.
On the defensive side, SEMO returns linebacker Bryce Norman, a true sophomore that was the lone defender named to preseason all-conference honors for the program.
He totaled 66 tackles in 2021 and also forced three fumbles during his first year in the program. He’ll be the guy to watch on that side of the ball.
WHAT WE’LL SEE SATURDAY
Southeastern Missouri is coming off of a 4-7 season that featured a 47-21 loss to Southern Illinois, a 52-14 loss to Sam Houston State, and a 59-28 loss to Missouri in its first three games.
However, the Redhawks secured a 4-2 record in the Ohio Valley Conference and upset No. 8 UT Martin to end the season on a high note.
It’s safe to say Iowa State expects to win this game, but as we’ve all seen, overlooking an opponent is detrimental to success and SEMO has some standout pieces.
