Southeast Missouri State football preview: Offense regroups after injury to quarterback

Southeast Missouri State's offense is experienced at every position but quarterback after record-setting Matt Scheible completed his eligibility in 2011.

That all-important position is even more green now that Ohio University transfer Kyle Snyder is out for the season after suffering a torn ACL during preseason camp.

"You lose a guy who played a lot of football," Southeast offensive coordinator Tim McGuire said. "We don't have the experience there, but we have more guys around the quarterback that have played a lot. Last year we basically had three guys with experience, three guys who had played a lot."

Southeast returns nine starters from a unit that tied for seventh in the nine-team Ohio Valley Conference in scoring offense at 23.2 points per game while ranking sixth in total offense with 369.3 yards per game last season.

Those figures weren't far off from the offense during Southeast's record-setting 2010 season when the Redhawks averaged 26.9 points and 368.9 yards.

Southeast Missouri State quarterback Kyle Snyder watches a Redhawks practice from the sideline. Snyder, a transfer from Ohio University, tore the ACL in his right knee and will miss the 2012 season. (Fred Lynch)

Southeast returns six offensive linemen with starting experience, although two will miss the season with injuries. The group helped the Redhawks lead the OVC in rushing offense for the second straight year at 233.1 yards per game, which ranked ninth nationally.

A position-by-position look at Southeast's offense:

Quarterback

Snyder, who compiled solid statistics in limited action as a redshirt freshman at FBS member Ohio last season, was established solidly as Southeast's starter until going down while making a cut during practice. There was no contact involved.

Redshirt freshman Scott Lathrop, who came to Southeast as a walk-on, now enters the season as the starter. He compiled prolific statistics passing and running while operating a similar option-based offense at Warrenton (Mo.) High School.

"He's worked really hard to get better," McGuire said. "He's responded."

None of Southeast's four healthy quarterbacks has taken a snap in a college game.

That group includes third-year sophomore Tyler Peoples, who has battled injuries since coming to Southeast, and true freshmen Blake Jackson and Colby Baker. Jackson ended preseason camp as Lathrop's backup.

Running back

Southeast returns its top three tailbacks and bruising sophomore fullback Ron Coleman, who was the Redhawks' No. 2 rusher behind Scheible last year.

Coleman gained 320 yards, averaging 3.9 yards per carry, and was second on the team with five touchdowns. He also caught 14 passes to rank third on the squad.

Senior Levi Terrell appeared headed for a big season before breaking his collarbone during the fifth game. He missed the last six contests.

Terrell, who posted consecutive 100-yard games before the injury, still was Southeast's No. 3 rusher with 312 yards while averaging 6.6 yards per carry. He scored three touchdowns.

Sophomore Lennies McFerren and senior Renard Celestin rushed for 255 and 244 yards, respectively, despite missing several games due to injury.

McFerren averaged 3.9 yards per carry and Celestin 6.3. Celestin added 11 receptions. Both players scored a touchdown.

Redshirt freshman Lewis Washington and true freshman DeMichael Jackson, who both were impressive during camp, are other options at tailback. Also on the roster is true freshman walk-on Tyson Estes from Chaffee High School.

Junior Josh Nicks saw action at fullback and scored a touchdown last year. Sophomore walk-on Brandon Beck from Jackson High School also is battling for playing time.

Wide receiver

Southeast brings back its top two receivers in junior D.J. Foster and sophomore Spencer Davis.

Foster led Southeast with 25 catches for a 14.1-yard average and three touchdowns despite missing four games.

Davis, a member of the OVC's all-newcomer team last season, caught 20 passes for a 15.7-yard average and three touchdowns. His 82-yard reception was the third-longest in school history.

Davis also proved to be dangerous in the run game on wide receiver pitches. He rushed for 250 yards on just nine attempts, averaging a whopping 27.8 yards, and scored a touchdown.

Other returning options are senior Ola Alli, junior Matt Bell and sophomore Mike Cyliax. Alli caught five passes a year ago, while Bell averaged 23.7 yards on three receptions.

Several others are battling for playing time, including walk-on redshirt freshman Garett Schaefer from Scott City High School.

Tight end

Seniors Tyler French and Marq Goodlitt shared duties in 2011.

French caught eight passes and scored a touchdown, while Goodlitt had six receptions and two touchdowns.

Junior Art Mueller caught four passes and scored a touchdown. Junior Wyky Jean is another returning squad member at this position.

Line

This unit is headlined by senior tackle Evan Conrad, a preseason All-American who has made 32 consecutive starts dating to his freshman season.

Senior tackle Dominic Maldonado, senior guard Colt McCauley and senior center Matt Shannon joined Conrad in starting all 11 games last year. But Maldonado and Shannon will miss the season with injuries.

Senior Pete Niggemann started four games at guard a year ago. Sophomore Ben Schmidt made two starts at tackle when Conrad moved to guard.

Senior guard/center Josh Jourdan and sophomore center Corey Porter also return after receiving playing time in 2011.

Niggemann, Schmidt and Porter ended preseason camp listed as starters along with Conrad and McCauley.

Among others battling for playing time up front are sophomore tackle William Jelks and redshirt freshman guard Traven Mable.