Paxton DeLaurent sets new personal record in game against UT Martin

Senior quarterback Paxton DeLaurent set a new personal record for the Redhawks on Sept. 7, against UT Martin, setting new highs for yards and touchdowns thrown.

DeLaurent’s 376 yards through the air, and 6 touchdowns earned the quarterback the Ohio Valley Conference Student Athlete of the Week and Offensive Player of the Week awards, and garnered him attention at the national level gaining him the FCS Nation National Offensive Player of the Week.

DeLaurent credits this achievement to his team, saying the offense and the defense allowed him to make these plays.

“I'm just really proud of our team and the way they came out and played, we were resilient. The defense really picked it up in the fourth quarter, I think they had zero first downs in the fourth and then receivers made plays we had to and the o-line blocked (extremely well) all night, it was awesome,” DeLaurent said.

Despite the pressure of facing the back-to-back OVC champions, and playing in front of home fans for a must-win game, DeLaurent said he was able to remain calm in the pocket, thanks to growing into the game and his previous experience at the position.

“There was definitely pressure, playing a big game, but every game there's pressure, to perform well, to put on for a home crowd, to put on for your brothers and play your best game. Once I got into the game it was pretty smooth. I think that first drive I was pretty amped up and juiced up and missed a couple wide open throws. But after that, I think I was smooth and just got into who I was… it's just kind of who I've been raised to be, and I’ve had lots of practice at it,” DeLaurent said.

DeLaurent leads the Redhawks’ offense, in what has shown to be a productive season, as the team averages 289 passing yards per game and scoring 12 total touchdowns across 3 games. DeLaurent credits the offensive production of the Redhawks to the scheme of offensive coordinator and quarterback coach Jeromy McDowell, and the new passing concepts from wide receiver coach Desmond Noird, along with the Redhawks’ talented wide receiver room.

“Coach McDowell's got a great scheme, and Coach Dez came in and brought some new schemes for the passing concepts for us, and I think that's been really good. We have great talent, you know, and I think more than that, we got great character players, guys that want to work and keep getting better. There's nothing you can ask more when guys are working constantly to get better each week,”

DeLaurent has already notched multiple awards for the Redhawks, including HERO Sports Sophomore All-American award, and Ohio Valley Conference All-Newcomer Team, and an OVC championship in 2022, and has his eyes set on more, hoping to leave a lasting legacy at SEMO and beyond.

“I've been coining a phrase, ‘GJC’ a gold jacket chaser for Jesus Christ. That's what I want to do, you know, and ultimately, that's something that you get in the Hall of Fame in the NFL. I set my standards to that, and whatever accolades, come and go on the way. But ultimately, I'm playing this game to glorify Christ. So if I could leave any, any remark, for me it's the person I was. And the way I played and for the reason I did,” DeLaurent said.

The Redhawks next game is against the #7 ranked Southern Illinois University Carbondale Salukis on Sept. 21 at 6 p.m. in Carbondale, Illinois for the “War for the Wheel” rivalry game.