SEMO keys to victory against Tennessee State

SEMO faces a must-win matchup this weekend against the No. 25-ranked Tennessee State Tigers at Nissan Stadium. The Redhawks are riding high after a thrilling 54-45 victory over Western Illinois. Currently ranked No. 12 nationally, SEMO boasts a 9-2 overall record and a 6-1 mark in conference play. A victory would secure the outright OVC-Big South title for SEMO, guaranteeing an automatic berth in the FCS playoffs.

The No. 25-ranked Tennessee State Tigers hold an 8-3 overall record with a 5-2 mark in OVC play. Fresh off a 23-16 victory over Gardner-Webb, Tennessee State remains in contention for the OVC title. With a win and some favorable outcomes elsewhere, the Tigers could claim the conference championship.

Keys to victory-

Dominate the pass game-

Tennessee State allows an average of 192 passing yards per game, while SEMO boasts an impressive 308 passing yards per game. At the heart of SEMO’s passing attack is quarterback Paxton DeLaurent, who is enjoying a career season with 3,287 passing yards and 27 touchdowns heading into Saturday’s showdown. DeLaurent will rely on his standout wide receivers, Tristan Smith and Dorian Anderson, both of whom have surpassed 700 receiving yards this season.

Bounce back week on defense-

SEMO's defense gave up 45 points last week against Western Illinois, so tightening up against Tennessee State's offense will be crucial for a win. TSU averages 27 points per game, with 111 rushing yards and 229 passing yards per contest. The key to SEMO’s defensive success will be linebacker Bryce Norman, who has been a standout with 113 tackles and 5.5 sacks this season. Additionally, defensive back Ty Leonard will be a player to watch, as his ball-hawking abilities have earned him a team-best four interceptions this year.

Don’t let the moment get to big-

SEMO is aiming to secure the OVC title, marking a significant turnaround from last year’s underwhelming season. With a straightforward “win and in” path to the playoffs, the stakes couldn’t be higher. However, the Redhawks must keep their composure and not let the magnitude of the moment—playing in their biggest game of the season at the iconic Nissan Stadium—overwhelm them. By treating it like any other game and staying focused, SEMO has a clear shot at clinching the OVC championship and earning a berth in the FCS playoffs.

SEMO will travel to Tennessee State as kickoff is at 3:30 PM in Nissan Stadium.