Saturday, September 10
Carbondale, IL
6:00 PM
Southern Illinois University
vs
Southeast Missouri
Football hosts SEMO in War For The Wheel
09/06/2022 | 4:56:00 | Football
CARBONDALE, Ill. — No. 17 Southern Illinois hosts SEMO on Saturday at 6 p.m. in the annual War For The Wheel. A $10 ticket special is available through Friday, using the promo code "DAWGS".
SIU and SEMO are separated by just 45 miles and the Mississippi River. Each year, the winner of the game takes home an authentic ship's wheel to its side of the river and proudly display it until the next scheduled matchup.
War For The Wheel History
(Series Tied, 2-2) *SIU home game
Sept. 15, 2018*: SEMO won, 48-44
Sept. 29, 2019: SEMO won, 44-26
Oct. 30, 2020* SIU won, 20-17
Sept. 2, 2021: SIU won, 47-21
The game versus the Redhawks is the 90th between the two schools and it is the 46th game played between the two teams in Carbondale. This is the seventh meeting between the schools at Saluki Stadium, where SIU holds a 4-2 edge, including a 20-17 win in 2020. In that game, Nico Gualdoni hit a 27-yard field goal as time expired. RB Javon Williams Jr. rushed for 135 yards and one touchdown for SIU. Only family membes were permitted to attend the game due to COVID rules.
Quoting Coach Hill
On the loss to Incarnate Word:
"A disappointing way to start the season. It felt like everything that could go
wrong, really went wrong. We didn't play well in all three phases. It was a collective
butt whooping that we took. Honestly, probably for this team, was something that
we needed. How we respond to this, will really be a tell of what this team is about.
We've got a lot of work to do, we've got to get better, we've got to make
improvements from game one to game two, and I expect us to do that.
On bouncing back this week:
"All ten teams remaining on our schedule can do the same thing to us. It's up to us
to come back and put a better product on the field. We've got a great opponent
coming in here with SEMO. I think this week is really about worrying about how we
handle the situation, and collectively correct some things."
On his relationship with SEMO head coach Tom Matukewicz:
"I love coach Tuke, I love his demeanor, I loved him when I played here. This is our
7th time playing against each other. There's really not a guy in the profession I
have more respect for than Coach Tuke. He's a good man, we share a lot of the
same values, and he's been a good resource for me. We'er both super competitive
and want to win this game for obvious reasons, but the mutual respect is high."
On SEMO:
"I've been able to watch their game against Iowa State. They have a good transfer
quarterback. Geno Hess is good back. "They've got a good scheme, I think their
offensive coordinator does a good job year in and year out. Coach Tuke being a
defensive minded guy has always played really good defense. They're going to be
tough, physical, and will play good, sound football. That's what we've got to be
ready for."
On playing in the home opener:
"We've got to have pride in playing well at home. We get five opportunities at
home, this is the first. We've got to go out there and make our fans proud."
SIU and SEMO are separated by just 45 miles and the Mississippi River. Each year, the winner of the game takes home an authentic ship's wheel to its side of the river and proudly display it until the next scheduled matchup.
War For The Wheel History
(Series Tied, 2-2) *SIU home game
Sept. 15, 2018*: SEMO won, 48-44
Sept. 29, 2019: SEMO won, 44-26
Oct. 30, 2020* SIU won, 20-17
Sept. 2, 2021: SIU won, 47-21
The game versus the Redhawks is the 90th between the two schools and it is the 46th game played between the two teams in Carbondale. This is the seventh meeting between the schools at Saluki Stadium, where SIU holds a 4-2 edge, including a 20-17 win in 2020. In that game, Nico Gualdoni hit a 27-yard field goal as time expired. RB Javon Williams Jr. rushed for 135 yards and one touchdown for SIU. Only family membes were permitted to attend the game due to COVID rules.
Quoting Coach Hill
On the loss to Incarnate Word:
"A disappointing way to start the season. It felt like everything that could go
wrong, really went wrong. We didn't play well in all three phases. It was a collective
butt whooping that we took. Honestly, probably for this team, was something that
we needed. How we respond to this, will really be a tell of what this team is about.
We've got a lot of work to do, we've got to get better, we've got to make
improvements from game one to game two, and I expect us to do that.
On bouncing back this week:
"All ten teams remaining on our schedule can do the same thing to us. It's up to us
to come back and put a better product on the field. We've got a great opponent
coming in here with SEMO. I think this week is really about worrying about how we
handle the situation, and collectively correct some things."
On his relationship with SEMO head coach Tom Matukewicz:
"I love coach Tuke, I love his demeanor, I loved him when I played here. This is our
7th time playing against each other. There's really not a guy in the profession I
have more respect for than Coach Tuke. He's a good man, we share a lot of the
same values, and he's been a good resource for me. We'er both super competitive
and want to win this game for obvious reasons, but the mutual respect is high."
On SEMO:
"I've been able to watch their game against Iowa State. They have a good transfer
quarterback. Geno Hess is good back. "They've got a good scheme, I think their
offensive coordinator does a good job year in and year out. Coach Tuke being a
defensive minded guy has always played really good defense. They're going to be
tough, physical, and will play good, sound football. That's what we've got to be
ready for."
On playing in the home opener:
"We've got to have pride in playing well at home. We get five opportunities at
home, this is the first. We've got to go out there and make our fans proud."
Players Mentioned
K
/ Football
QB
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