Key Players to Watch in SEMO's Homecoming Matchup Against Gardner-Webb

With a 26-13 victory over Charleston Southern, the Redhawks improved to 7-1, extended their winning streak to six games, and climbed to #6 in the FCS rankings—the highest position in program history. Despite early struggles last weekend, the Redhawks aim to build on their momentum as they face the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs for the first time. Strong performances from key players will be essential to secure another win against new competition.

Paxton Delaurent

DeLaurent leads SEMO’s pass-heavy offense with 2,422 passing yards and 21 touchdowns, ranking first in both categories in the Ohio Valley Conference. Entering his final homecoming game at SEMO as the program’s all-time leader in both passing yards and passing touchdowns, DeLaurent faces a fresh challenge this week. With no prior matchups against Gardner-Webb, the offense could face early struggles adapting to the unfamiliar opponent. DeLaurent will need to take command of his unit to guide them to victory and continue building on his record-breaking season.

Tristan Smith

Smith has recorded 39 catches for 515 yards and three touchdowns this season. Following an impressive performance against Charleston Southern, where he posted seven catches for 90 yards, Smith became a key target for quarterback DeLaurent in the absence of SEMO’s leading receiver, Dorian Anderson, who was sidelined with an injury against Charleston Southern. Last week, Smith made his mark not only in the passing game but also in the running game, scoring his first career rushing touchdown during a tough red zone battle. With Anderson's status still uncertain, Smith may take on an even larger role this weekend.

Cam Pedro

Pedro has become the workhorse receiver in SEMO's offense, consistently making tough catches across the field. Leading the Ohio Valley Conference with 46 receptions, he has accumulated 508 yards and three touchdowns this season. Over his last two games, Pedro has hauled in 14 catches for 148 yards. If Dorian Anderson is unavailable today, Pedro’s workload could increase even further.

Bryce Norman

Leading the OVC With 73 tackles this season, Norman’s ability to diagnose plays and make crucial stops is invaluable, especially against an unfamiliar opponent. As a leader on defense, Norman will be key in communicating and sorting out any confusion that may arise during the game, ensuring his teammates are in the right positions to succeed. His performance could be pivotal in setting the tone for SEMO's defensive