SEMO football wins home opener 27-9 over Central Arkansas

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (Heartland News) - SEMO scored seventeen points in the fourth quarter, en route to a 27-9 win over Central Arkansas.

Saturday’s contest was SEMO’s first game of the year at Houck Field, after three straight road games to open 2026.

Within seconds, the energy was at a high in Houck, with Khylen Harris-Norman returning the opening kickoff 99 yards for a SEMO touchdown to put the Redhawks out in front 7-0.

That would be the only touchdown in the first half however. Central Arkansas notched a pair of field goals but SEMO’s usually reliable Justin Keller struggled early, missing his first three attempts, two admittedly from 50+.

In the third, Keller would connect for his first field goal to make it 10-6, still a one score affair.

But defense, which shone all night for SEMO, stepped up big on the ensuing possession.

David Jones picked off a pass and returned it 43 yards to put SEMO just outside of the red zone.

And finally, an offensive touchdown courtesy of Redhawks rusher Payton Brown who powered in to make it 17-6 to start the 4th quarter.

Brown’s touchdown was followed by a UCA field goal, which was followed immediately by a SEMO field goal to make it once again a two score game, now 20-9.

A defensive stand on 4th down gave SEMO the ball again in the middle of the 4th quarter, and Brown once again found the end zone, his second score on the evening.

After the win, Brown and Cyler Christmas, who intercepted a ball later in the 4th, spoke on getting back in the win column.

“It feels great,” Christmas said. “I feel like the main thing was just playing four quarters and staying together, not losing focus and not losing faith in each other. And I feel like this week we showed it. We didn’t lose faith in the offense or the defense, so I feel like that’s a good thing. It shows growth.”

Brown added “Emphasis all week was not to let the last game affect this game, to move forward and focus on the opponent, focus on the process and come out with the victory.”

SEMO will host West Florida next Saturday, September 26.