Key playmakers to watch in SEMO vs. Northwestern State

Riding high from a commanding 38-21 victory in the War for the Wheel rivalry against SIU, the #13 ranked SEMO Redhawks are aiming to take down the winless Northwestern State Demons. After last week's offensive explosion, several key players are looking to extend their streak of standout performances.

Paxton DeLaurent

Senior quarterback Paxton DeLaurent has already racked up 1,068 yards in just four games this season, leading the OVC in passing yards. He also ranks second in FCS football with 12 passing touchdowns, including four from his standout performance against SIU. After throwing for 301 yards in that game, DeLaurent is now just 636 yards shy of SEMO's all-time passing record, and 5 touchdowns short of SEMO’s passing touchdown record of 47, with eight games left to play. He'll aim to further solidify his dominance in the FCS with a commanding win over Northwestern State.

Dorian Anderson

Senior wide receiver Dorian Anderson leads the FCS in receiving touchdowns with 5, and has been on fire recently, notching two touchdowns in his last two games. He also ranks second in the FCS with 424 receiving yards, making him the primary target for quarterback Paxton DeLaurent. Anderson’s ability to consistently find the end zone and rack up yardage makes him a player to watch against Northwestern State, as he continues to be a key playmaker in SEMO's high-powered offense.

Payton Brown

Averaging 5.4 yards per carry, freshman Payton Brown has quickly established himself as the Redhawks' lead back this season. Against SIU, Brown delivered an outstanding performance, rushing for 124 yards on only 18 carries and finding the end zone once. Brown is Tied for the most rushing touchdowns in the OVC with 4, He will aim to continue his strong form and dominate the ground game against Northwestern State, who gives up 244 rushing yards per game.

Carter Hensley

Redshirt freshman backup quarterback Carter Hensley, saw action in the season opener against North Alabama, stepping in due to Paxton DeLaurent’s shoulder injury. With SEMO facing the winless 0-4 Northwestern State Demons, the coaching staff may opt to rest DeLaurent if the Redhawks secure a comfortable lead. In his debut, Hensley impressed by throwing for 100 yards and completing 71% of his passes, showing he's ready to step up if needed.

Bryce Norman

The Redhawks' defensive anchor, who led the team in tackles for the past two seasons, is once again atop the OVC leaderboard with 41 tackles in just four games—averaging an impressive 10 tackles per game. Norman, one of the most dominant defenders in OVC history, ranking top ten all time in tackles for SEMO, continues to be a force on the field, making him a key player to watch against Northwestern State.

SEMO's key players are ready for their Family Weekend showdown against Northwestern State at home, set to kick off on Saturday, September 28th, at 3 p.m.