Game-changing players to watch in the SEMO vs. Tennessee Tech matchup

After a convincing 38-27 victory over Eastern Illinois University, #9 ranked SEMO looks to pick up another important conference win to improve to a conference record of 3-0, and continue their win streak with their 5th straight win. The Redhawks will need standout performances from a few key players to secure the win against the Golden Eagles.

Paxton DeLaurent

DeLaurent currently leads the OVC in passing yards with 1,669, far outpacing the competition with 16 touchdowns—nearly double the next closest quarterback, who has 9. Last week against EIU, DeLaurent threw for 364 yards and 3 touchdowns, bringing him one step closer to greatness as he tied SEMO’s career passing touchdown record with 46. With Tennessee Tech’s defense ranking last in passing defense in the OVC, allowing 285 yards per game, DeLaurent is poised to make history. He needs just one more touchdown pass to set a new SEMO record and is only 35 yards away from becoming the program's all-time leader in passing yards.

Dorian Anderson

Senior receiver Dorian Anderson leads the Ohio Valley Conference in receiving yards, boasting 39 catches for 572 yards. Coming off an impressive game against EIU, where he tallied 109 yards on just 7 receptions, Anderson is poised for another standout performance this weekend. With Tennessee Tech ranking last in passing defense, allowing 285 yards per game, and Anderson averaging an impressive 95 receiving yards per game, he’s set to exploit the Golden Eagles' secondary.

Mitchell Sellers

Currently ranking #3 in the OVC with 5 receiving touchdowns. He’s proven to be a consistent red zone threat, having caught a touchdown pass in 3 of the Redhawks' last 4 games. His ability to make big plays when it counts makes him a crucial part of SEMO’s offense, and with Tennessee Tech’s vulnerable pass defense, Sellers could have another standout performance."

Jared Pedraza

Leading the Redhawks' defense last week with 9 tackles against EIU, standout middle linebacker Jared Pedraza continues to be a force on the field. As the team’s fourth-leading tackler this season, Pedraza has consistently stepped up in critical moments.Pedraza’s ability to read plays and deliver timely tackles will be crucial in stifling the Golden Eagles' offense.

Khalani Riddick

Riddick is currently SEMO’s second-leading tackler with 46 on the season. A versatile playmaker, he’s not only a force in the defensive backfield but also a standout on special teams. Riddick leads the OVC in punt return yards with 188 on 12 returns, ranking him 6th in all of FCS football. This dual-threat ability makes him a key player to watch as he looks to make a significant impact on both defense and special teams in the upcoming matchup against Tennessee Tech."