Gameday blog: Southeast Missouri State football at Arkansas State

At halftime, Southeast is locked in a one-possession game with Arkansas State.

Arkansas State missed a 46-yard field goal at the end of the second quarter that would have extended the lead to 10. Instead, it's 21-14 Red Wolves.

SEMO quarterback Daniel Santacaterina, a Northern Illinois transfer, looked good in his first game with the Redhawks but was carted off the field late in the second quarter after a hit to the head area. He clapped and waved his hands as he was carted off the field.

Before the injury, Santacaterina was 10-of-13 passing for 89 yards and a touchdown. Fifth-year senior Anthony Cooper took over for SEMO under center.

Justice Hansen, who threw for nearly 4,000 yards last season, led the Red Wolves in the first half with three TD passes to three different receivers. The last one, a 36-yard strike to Kendrick Edwards, gave Arkansas State the 21-14 lead.

Now, SEMO has 30 minutes left to pull off the major upset over the Football Bowl Subdivision opponent.

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The Southeast Missouri State football team opens the 2018 season at 6 p.m. Saturday against Football Bowl Subdivision opponent Arkansas State.

Read more about the first matchup between the programs since 2003 here.

You can follow along on Twitter @semoballPhillip, and you don't have to have a Twitter account to see the updates.

SEMO is coming off another 3-8 season and has a new face at quarterback , Northern Illinois transfer Daniel Santacaterina.

To get to know Arkansas State, check out the section below.

Scouting the opponent

RedWolfReport publisher Luke Matheson took some time to answer a few questions ahead of SEMO's season opener against Arkansas State on Saturday.

1. Who are Arkansas State's offensive players to watch?

Matheson: "First is preseason Sun Belt Player of the Year Justice Hansen. A-State's quarterback is a transfer who originally signed with Oklahoma, and is considered one of the nation's top QB's regardless of team or conference. Speaking of transfers, A-State has Oklahoma transfer Dahu Green, Arkansas transfer Kendrick Edwards, and Boise State transfer Bubba Ogbebor all at wide receiver. Justin McInnis and Omar Bayless are threats at receiver as well. Warren Wand will lead the running backs. Armond Weh-Weh returns for a sixth year of eligibility at running back after suffering two season ending injuries."

2. Who are Arkansas State's defensive players to watch?

Matheson: "It will start up front with defensive linemen Kevin Thurman (Ball State transfer) and Donovan Ransom on the interior as well Ronheen Bingham, William Bradley-King, and Griffin Riggs at defensive end. The defensive line has so much depth that coach Brian Early will have a constant rotation (they will rotate four deep) to keep guys fresh. When the A-State defense led the nation in turnovers and points scored two years ago they used the same system. Tajhea Chambers and Trent Ellis will be playmakers at linebacker, while Justin Clifton, BJ Edmonds, Demari Medley, Jeff Gibson, Nathan Page, and Antonio Fletcher will shore up the secondary."

3. How would you describe Arkansas State's playing style to a SEMO fan who has not watched them before?

Matheson: "Offensively, head coach Blake Anderson calls his offense "basketball on grass". It is a fast-paced offense that can snap the ball every 13-18 seconds when they are in sync and the officials spot the ball quickly. They like to make plays out in space. Defensively, you will see a lot of rotation on the defensive line as mentioned above, with pressure. The defense loves to create as much chaos and as many turnovers as possible."

4. What scenario could you conceive of where Arkansas State is worried about this one in the fourth quarter?

Matheson: "If Justice Hansen goes down with an injury. There are quarterbacks behind him, but he is the glue that holds the offense together. Other than that it would be due to SEMO being able to keep it closer than Red Wolf coaches, players, and fans would be comfortable with."