Larry Larson and Dominique Dafney to call Southeast Missouri State vs Southern Illinois on ESPN Unlimited and ESPN+
Match date:
Larry Larson and Dominique Dafney will be on commentary for Southeast Missouri State’s visit to Southern Illinois in NCAA Division I FCS action, with the game available in the US on ESPN Unlimited / ESPN+ and scheduled to stream live from Saluki Stadium in Carbondale, Illinois. ESPN’s live game listings show the matchup on 13 September 2026, while Southern Illinois’ own preview confirms the broadcast will air on ESPN+ and The Varsity Network, making this a straightforward streaming-only watch for viewers in the United States.[1][7][9]
The matchup is set for a 6:00 p.m. local kickoff in Carbondale, which corresponds to 12:00 a.m. UK time on 13 September 2026. That timing means British viewers will need to stay up late for the FCS contest, while American audiences can follow it through ESPN’s digital platforms rather than a traditional linear channel.[7][9][12]
Larry Larson has built his reputation around college football and has been a familiar voice on ESPN coverage of the sport, bringing a play-by-play style suited to the pace and detail of FCS football. His role here is to guide viewers through the action and contextualise a rivalry that has been played many times before, with Southern Illinois holding the historical edge in the series.[19]
Dominique Dafney adds a notable former-player perspective to the booth. Dafney is best known as a tight end who reached the NFL after a college career that included stops at different levels, and that background gives him the kind of on-field insight television audiences now expect from modern colour commentary. His analysis should be particularly valuable in a game between two evenly matched teams entering at 1–1.[5][19]
For viewers wanting the official competition page, the NCAA game listing confirms the fixture as an FCS matchup between Southeast Missouri State and Southern Illinois, with live scores and play-by-play available through NCAA and ESPN’s match centres.[2][8][11] Southern Illinois’ broadcast note also points fans to local radio on WCIL-FM 101.5 and The Varsity Network, which provides an additional option if streaming is not convenient.[7]
From a football standpoint, this is a useful early-season test for both programmes. The Salukis and Redhawks have both opened 2026 at 1–1, and the game in Carbondale arrives with conference momentum, regional pride and a long-running series history behind it.[5][18][19] Southern Illinois’ opponent record page shows the Salukis have generally had the upper hand over Southeast Missouri State across the series, but recent meetings have still produced competitive football.[19]
If you are following the broader TV and streaming landscape, this fixture sits firmly in the digital-first college football world: no Sky, ITV or major US broadcast network is listed, only ESPN’s paid streaming products.[1][5][7][9] That makes the call team especially important, because the voices of Larry Larson and Dominique Dafney will shape how viewers experience a game that is otherwise hidden behind a subscription wall. For more on the teams and the competition context, see the NCAA game listing.
Article generated: 12 September 2026, 12:11 GMT