Let’s be honest for a second. When you think of massive college football rivalries, your brain probably goes straight to the Iron Bowl or Michigan-Ohio State. But if you’re sleeping on the War for the Wheel, you’re missing out on some of the grittiest, most unpredictable football in the Midwest.
The SEMO vs Southern Illinois matchup isn't just a game; it's a geographic fistfight. Only about 45 miles of road and a bridge over the Mississippi River separate Cape Girardeau, Missouri, from Carbondale, Illinois. That proximity creates a special kind of bitterness.
It’s personal.
The Current State of the War for the Wheel
If you missed the 2025 clash, you missed a total offensive explosion. On September 20, 2025, the Southern Illinois Salukis didn't just win; they essentially took the ship’s wheel trophy back to Carbondale with a sledgehammer.
The final score was a staggering 59-31.
Southern Illinois quarterback DJ Williams put up numbers that look like they came out of a video game. He accounted for six total touchdowns—four through the air and two on the ground. He rushed for 151 yards and threw for another 342. SEMO's defense just didn't have an answer for his dual-threat capability that night at Houck Stadium.
It was actually the most points the Salukis have ever scored against the Redhawks in their 93-meeting history.
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But don't let that one blowout fool you. This series is historically neck-and-neck. Heading into that 2025 game, SEMO actually held a slight edge in the all-time series, which now sits around 44-41-8 in favor of the Redhawks.
Think about that. After nearly a century of playing each other, the win gap is basically a rounding error.
Why They Fight Over a literal Ship's Wheel
You might be wondering why two landlocked schools in the middle of the country are obsessed with a nautical steering wheel.
It started back in 2018. The schools decided they needed a physical prize to represent the "bridge" between the two states. Since both cities sit on the Mississippi River, an authentic ship’s wheel became the traveling trophy.
The "War for the Wheel" branding gave a 100-year-old game a fresh coat of paint.
I've talked to fans on both sides of the river, and the sentiment is the same: losing the wheel feels like losing a piece of your house. When SEMO won it in 2024 with a 38-21 victory in Carbondale, the celebration on the field looked like they’d just won a national title.
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SEMO vs Southern Illinois: Breaking Down the Styles
Under Coach Tom Matukewicz, SEMO has turned into a perennial contender in the Big South-OVC. They play a brand of football that "Coach Tuke" famously calls "brick by brick." It's tough. It's physical.
Jax Leatherwood, SEMO's quarterback in the 2025 season, actually threw for 422 yards in that 59-31 loss. Most teams would win comfortably with 400+ passing yards. But Southern Illinois, under Nick Hill, operates with a high-octane Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) speed that can be hard to match if you start turning the ball over.
Key Differences in the Programs:
- The Conferences: Southern Illinois plays in the MVFC, widely considered the "SEC of the FCS." SEMO plays in the Big South-OVC Association. This creates a "strength of schedule" argument every single year that fuels the trash talk.
- The Geography: Carbondale is a quintessential college town. Cape Girardeau is a river city with a bit more of a "tough-as-nails" industrial vibe.
- The Recruitment: These two coaching staffs are basically fighting over the same kids in St. Louis and Memphis every February.
What the 2026 Rematch Looks Like
Mark your calendars for September 12, 2026.
The series is shifting back to Saluki Stadium in Carbondale. The schools recently signed a contract extension to keep this game on the books through at least 2028, which is great news for fans of regional rivalries.
For SEMO to get that wheel back in 2026, they have to fix the defensive gaps that allowed 612 yards of total offense in the last meeting. You can't give up 15 yards per carry to a quarterback and expect to win, regardless of how many yards Jax Leatherwood throws for.
Honestly, the 2025 game felt like a bit of an outlier in terms of the point spread. Usually, these games are decided by a field goal or a late fourth-quarter stop. In 2023, the Salukis escaped Cape Girardeau with a 26-25 win. In 2022, SEMO took it 34-31.
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Tips for Attending the War for the Wheel
If you’re planning on going to the 2026 game, here is the reality:
- Cross the Bridge Early: If you're coming from Cape, the bridge traffic on game day is a nightmare. Give yourself an extra hour.
- The Tailgates are Different: Southern Illinois tailgates are massive, sprawling affairs in the grass lots. SEMO tailgates at Houck are a bit more compact but incredibly loud.
- Respect the Wheel: If you see the trophy on the sidelines, stay back. The security around that thing has tightened up significantly since the "war" became official.
The rivalry is also a massive economic driver for the region. When 8,000 to 10,000 people descend on these towns for a Saturday night game, every hotel and diner from Anna-Jonesboro to Jackson is packed.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you’re looking at the SEMO vs Southern Illinois matchup from a tactical or betting perspective, keep an eye on the turnover margin. In the 2025 game, Southern Illinois was +2 in turnovers, which directly led to 14 points in the first quarter.
- Watch the QB health: Both programs rely heavily on dual-threat guys. If Williams or Leatherwood are banged up, the offensive production drops by 40% instantly.
- Home Field matters less than you think: The road team has actually won several of the last few meetings. Don't overvalue the home-field advantage in a game where the travel time is less than an hour.
- Check the weather: Early September in the Midwest can mean 95-degree heat or a sudden thunderstorms. High humidity tends to favor the deeper roster, which usually belongs to the Salukis due to their MVFC scholarship flexibility.
To keep up with the latest roster changes before the 2026 kickoff, your best bet is to follow the local beat writers who actually attend the practices. Check out the Southeast Missourian for the Redhawks' perspective or the Southern Illinoisan for the Saluki side.
Keep an eye on the transfer portal this spring; both teams have been active in snagging FBS drop-downs that usually make their debuts in this specific rivalry game.