You ever walk into a place and just feel the history? That’s Houck Stadium on a Saturday. It’s built right into an old rock quarry in Cape Girardeau. It's gritty. It's loud. Honestly, Southeast Missouri State Redhawks football is the kind of program that shouldn't work on paper, yet it keeps punching way above its weight class.
The 2025 season was a bit of a rollercoaster, let’s be real. They finished 4-8. That’s tough. You look at the 42-13 blowout against Eastern Illinois and you think, "Okay, they're back." Then they drop a heartbreaker to Gardner-Webb by three points. It's the kind of season that keeps a fan base on its toes—or keeps them up at night.
But if you only look at the win-loss column for one year, you’re missing the point. Under Tom Matukewicz, or "Coach Tuke" as everyone calls him, this program has transformed. He’s been there for over a decade now. That’s rare in the FCS. He’s the winningest coach in their Division I era for a reason.
The Tuke Era and the L.E.A.D. Philosophy
Matukewicz doesn't just coach football; he preaches a specific brand of culture. Love, Effort, Attitude, and Discipline. It sounds like something you’d see on a motivational poster in a high school hallway, but at SEMO, it’s basically the law.
Look at 2024. They went 9-4 and grabbed a share of the Big South-OVC title. That was their third conference championship under Tuke. They’ve made the playoffs four times since 2018. Before he got there? They had one playoff appearance in their entire history (2010).
🔗 Read more: Mens turf shoes baseball: Why your cleats are probably killing your game
It's about finding guys that others overlook. Take Bryce Norman, the linebacker from Jackson. He’s a local kid who stayed home and became an All-American. Or Paxton DeLaurent, who came from the Division II level and turned into the OVC-Big South Offensive Player of the Year.
Why the 2025 Slump Actually Matters
People get worried when a team goes 4-8. I get it. But 2025 was a transition year with a lot of new faces in the starting lineup. The Redhawks lost some absolute legends to graduation and the portal.
- They had to replace massive production at wide receiver.
- The offensive line was shifting constantly due to minor injuries.
- The schedule was brutal, featuring a trip to North Dakota State.
Playing at the Fargodome is a nightmare for anyone. SEMO lost 41-14 there in September, but those are the games that build the "toughness" Matukewicz always talks about. You don't get better by playing cupcakes. You get better by getting hit in the mouth by the #1 team in the country and seeing who still wants to play in the fourth quarter.
The War of the Wheel and Real Rivalries
If you want to understand Southeast Missouri State Redhawks football, you have to understand the War of the Wheel. It’s the rivalry with Southern Illinois. It’s personal. They play for an actual ship’s wheel because the two schools are separated by the Mississippi River.
The series is incredibly close. As of the end of 2025, SEMO holds a slight edge in the all-time series (44-40-8). That is decades of bad blood.
💡 You might also like: Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers: What Most People Get Wrong About This Rivalry
Then you have the "Game Ball Brawl" against Lindenwood. That’s the new kid on the block rivalry. Lindenwood is just up the road in St. Charles, and they’ve already started making life difficult for the Redhawks, including a 30-13 win over SEMO to close out the 2025 season. That loss stung. It’s going to be the primary talking point in the locker room all through the 2026 spring ball.
The Houck Stadium Face-Lift
Let's talk about the stadium. For a long time, the south side of Houck was... well, it was old. 1930s old. In 2023, they finally opened the new south grandstands. It’s a $16 million project that actually makes the place look like a modern Division I facility.
They aren't done yet, though.
The university is pushing for Phase Two, which involves a new press box and more premium seating. It’s about recruiting. When a kid from St. Louis or Memphis visits, they need to see that the school is investing in the program. You can’t win championships with 1930s plumbing.
💡 You might also like: Tom Brady Super Bowl Bucs: What Really Happened in Tampa
Recruiting the 2026 Class
The 2026 recruiting cycle is already heating up. SEMO has always leaned heavily on Missouri, Illinois, and Tennessee. They’ve recently picked up commits like Kade Carroll and Dylan Shannon from Tennessee.
Coach Tuke’s strategy is simple: find the "grinders." He doesn't want the four-star kid who is looking for a massive NIL deal and an easy path to the NFL. He wants the kid who was told he’s too small or too slow.
What Most People Get Wrong About SEMO
A lot of casual fans think SEMO is just a "basketball school" because of their recent March Madness appearances. That’s just not true anymore.
Football has become the heartbeat of the athletic department. When the Redhawks are winning, the whole town of Cape Girardeau changes. You see the flags on Broadway. You see the tailgates at the "Softball V" parking lot. It’s a community event.
Actionable Insights for Redhawks Fans:
- Watch the O-Line development: The biggest hurdle in 2025 was protection. If the 2026 line doesn't gel early, the talented skill players won't matter.
- Keep an eye on the portal: SEMO has been aggressive in bringing in "bounce-back" players from FBS schools. Watch for a veteran QB or tackle to join the roster before fall camp.
- Support the Stadium Project: The move to Phase Two of the Houck renovation is vital for the program's long-term health in the new-look OVC-Big South.
- Mark the SIU game: If you only go to one game, make it the War of the Wheel. The atmosphere is unmatched in the region.
The trajectory of Southeast Missouri State Redhawks football is still pointing up, despite a losing record in 2025. This is a program built on stability and a very specific, hard-nosed identity. They’ll be back in the playoff hunt sooner than the critics think.