Top Players to Watch in SEMO vs. Charleston Southern Showdown

After a commanding 34-3 win over Tennessee Tech, the Redhawks have improved to 6-1 on the season and remain unbeaten in OVC play. As SEMO aims to maintain their dominance and perfect record in the Ohio Valley Conference, they will rely on standout performances from key players to secure a victory against Charleston Southern in their first ever matchup, and SEMOs first ever road trip to the state of South Carolina.

Paxton DeLaurent

Last Saturday, Senior quarterback Paxton DeLaurent became SEMO's all-time leader in both passing touchdowns and passing yards. DeLaurent has been exceptional this season, leading the OVC with 2,087 passing yards and 20 touchdowns, ranking 3rd in FCS for passing yards and 1st in touchdowns. Facing Charleston Southern’s tough pass defense, which allows just 169 yards per game, the Redhawks will need another stellar performance from their record-breaking quarterback to secure a win against an unfamiliar opponent.

Dorian Anderson

As the OVC’s leader in receiving yards, Anderson will be pivotal in helping the Redhawks break through the Buccaneers' tough pass defense. Anderson has become Paxton DeLaurent’s go-to target this season, hauling in a conference-leading 43 receptions for 620 yards, with four 100-yard receiving games in his last six starts. To ignite SEMO’s passing attack against Charleston Southern’s stout defense, Anderson will need to create separation early and often.

Kobe Sixkiller

In his 21st consecutive start for the Redhawks, Sixkiller has stepped up as the captain of the offensive line after transitioning from right guard to center following Zack Geig’s injury. Now tasked with directing blocking assignments and reading the defensive front, Sixkiller has taken on a critical leadership role. As SEMO heads into unfamiliar territory, he’ll not only need to manage the potential confusion of his new position but also deliver a standout performance as the anchor of the offensive line.

Bryce Norman

Senior linebacker Bryce Norman leads both the Redhawks and the OVC with 68 tackles, averaging an impressive 9.7 per game. Fresh off a career-high 15-tackle performance against Tennessee Tech, Norman will be critical in SEMO’s first-ever matchup against Charleston Southern, On the road, there may be moments of defensive confusion, and as the defensive leader, Norman will need to step up, organize his unit, and guide them to another commanding victory.

Redhawks defensive line

Charleston Southern's run game has been impressive this season, led by standout sophomore running back Ison Autavius, who is averaging an impressive 104 yards per game. For the Redhawks to assert their dominance and win the battle in the trenches, their defensive line must stay disciplined and stick to their gap assignments. Key players like Nasim Cairo and Jaylon Stone will need to step up and play a crucial role in containing Autavius and controlling the line of scrimmage.