Southeast Missouri State University kicked off its preseason football camp on Wednesday at the Rosengarten Athletic Complex, marking the first official on‑field work for the Redhawks ahead of the 2026 season.
A Fresh Start in Cape Girardeau
The team enters the campaign with a preseason ranking of second in the Ohio Valley Conference poll, and will stage 25 practice sessions before opening the season on August 29 against Indiana State.
Head coach Tom Matukewicz, who has guided the program to three conference titles and four FCS playoff berths in the past seven years, is entering his third year at the helm, bringing a blend of continuity and fresh ambition.
The roster reflects a mix of experience and youthful energy, featuring 21 seniors, 23 juniors, 20 sophomores and 23 freshmen, while also welcoming 53 newcomers, including 11 FBS transfers. Seven Redhawks — such as Jalen Nettles, Demon Taylor, Khyair Spain and others — have been named to the OVC's Players to Watch list for the 2026 campaign, underscoring the talent pool surrounding the team.
Eight starters return, five on offense and three on defense, among them kicker Justin Keller, offensive lineman Sam Reynolds and linebacker Cole Ruble, all recognized as recent All‑OVC selections.
Adding to the coaching staff, seven new assistants join Matukewicz’s crew for the 2026 season, a move that promises new schemes and depth on both sides of the ball.
The schedule includes road tests at Indiana State, Iowa State and Southern Illinois, followed by non‑conference home games against Central Arkansas and West Florida, while the OVC slate features trips to Lindenwood, Eastern Illinois, Tennessee State and Charleston Southern, with home matchups against Western Illinois, Gardner‑Webb and UT Martin.
Beyond the on‑field action, the 2026 season commemorates SEMO’s 122nd year of college football and its 36th year at the NCAA Division I FCS level, underscoring the program’s deep roots and ongoing growth.