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CARBONDALE, Ill. — Starting with the 2018 season, the longstanding football rivalry between Southern Illinois and Southeast Missouri will be deemed the “War for the Wheel.” The non-conference rivals, separated by just 45 miles, meet in Carbondale on Sept. 15 at 6 p.m. 

Each year, the winner of the game will take home an authentic ship’s wheel to its side of the Mississippi River and proudly display it until the next scheduled matchup. The wheel currently resides in Carbondale since Southern Illinois won last year’s meeting between the teams.

When the series first began in 1913, SEMO and SIU used to cross the Mississippi River by boat. A colorful anecdote from the early years — one year SIU’s boat sank and players had to swim to shore. The game was played as scheduled.

“This matchup has evolved into a spirited rivalry over the years, including the first-ever college football game at Busch Stadium in 2013,” said Salukis head coach Nick Hill. “Creating a ‘trophy’ to play for just adds to the excitement.”

“This is a fun way to celebrate the longtime football rivalry between SEMO and SIU,” said Redhawks head coach Tom Matukewicz. “These schools have a lot of history and tradition, and I think the War for the Wheel makes the rivalry more special for fans on both sides of the Mississippi River.”   

The SEMO and SIU football rivalry is the oldest in each school’s history. The Redhawks hold a 40-37-8 lead in the all-time series, though the Salukis have won 10 of the last 12 meetings.