CARBONDALE, Ill. — In the annual War For The Wheel, No. 21 Southeast Missouri beat No. 7 Southern Illinois, 38-21, on Saturday in front of a packed house of 13,421 at Saluki Stadium.
 
SIU and SEMO are separated by just 45 miles and the Mississippi River. Each year since 2018, the winner of the game takes home a replica ship's wheel to its side of the river. The Redhawks (3-1) claimed the wheel for the fourth time in seven games.
 
The Salukis (2-2) had 403 yards of total offense with 341 yards coming through the air from Hunter Simmons who made his first start of the season at quarterback. The Salukis managed 62 rushing yards while SEMO ran for 148 yards.
 
Trailing 16-12 at the half, the Salukis took a 21-16 lead in the third after Willtrell Hartson scampered in from three yards out. SEMO went on to score 21 unanswered points to secure the victory.