Redhawks have experience on offensive side

Southeast Missouri State's offense is the team's most experienced unit, returning six starters from last year's squad that went 3-8 overall and a seventh-place 2-6 in the nine-team Ohio Valley Conference.

The Redhawks' offense has primarily relied on a strong rushing attack in recent years, leading the OVC and ranking among the 10 FCS rushing teams each of the past three years.

Southeast averaged 262.4 yards rushing per game last season to rank eighth nationally but was last in the OVC with an average of 96.4 yards passing.

The 2012 Redhawks were eighth in the OVC in scoring offense at 25.7 points per game and eighth in total offense with 358.8 yards per contest.

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

Southeast Missouri State's Zach Hayes carries the ball after a pass reception during a scrimmage Saturday, Aug. 17, 2013 at Houck Stadium. (Fred Lynch)

Quarterback

This should be one of Southeast's deepest positions as the Redhawks appear to have no fewer than three capable signal callers.

Junior Kyle Snyder was slated to start last year but the transfer from FBS Ohio University suffered a season-ending knee injury nine days into 2012 fall camp.

Sophomore Scott Lathrop had an impressive redshirt freshman season, starting all 11 games and earning OVC freshman of the year honors.

Lathrop rushed for 824 yards and a team-high seven touchdowns. He completed 91 of 158 passes (57.6 percent) for 1,025 yards, seven touchdowns and five interceptions.

Southeast Missouri State tight end Wyky Jean is chased by the red team's Josh Freeman after a pass reception during scrimmage Saturday, Aug. 17, 2013 at Houck Stadium. (Fred Lynch)

Snyder recently was named Southeast's starter, but there is a chance the Redhawks will play more than one quarterback.

Sophomore Blake Jackson also displayed plenty of potential in limited action as a true freshman last year. He ranked fifth on the squad in rushing with 119 yards and scored a touchdown while completing 4 of 9 passes for 36 yards and a touchdown.

Running back

Southeast has a big hole to fill after Levi Terrell ranked among the national leaders with 1,349 yards rushing a year ago.

Junior Lennies McFerren, sophomore DeMichael Jackson and sophomore Lewis Washington figure to share time at tailback.

Southeast Missouri State running back Lewis Washington carries the ball during scrimmage Saturday, Aug. 17, 2013 at Houck Stadium. (Fred Lynch)

McFerren, listed as the starter, received just one carry last year after a solid season in 2011 when he rushed for 255 yards.

Jackson is Southeast's top returning rusher among tailbacks. He picked up 20 yards on seven carries as a true freshman.

Washington, who also plays fullback, gained five yards on four carries and scored one touchown as a redshirt freshman.

Redshirt freshman Tyson Estes, a walk-on from Chaffee High School, is among others battling for playing time at tailback.

The fullback position is led by junior Ron Coleman, a returning starter who rushed for 158 yards and two touchdowns last year while missing three games with a knee injury that slowed him in a few other contests. He had a strong redshirt freshman season in 2011, rushing for 320 yards.

Freshman running back Brendan Stewart heads upfield for a touchdown during a recent team scrimmage. (Fred Lynch)

Receiver

The Redhawks' top three receivers are back, led by senior D.J. Foster and junior Spencer Davis. Foster started all 11 games last year while Davis made 10 starts.

Foster caught 37 passes for a 13.8-yard average and five touchdowns.

Davis caught 20 passes for a 10.8-yard average and one touchdown. Davis also rushed for 104 yards and a touchdown while averaging eight yards per attempt.

Sophomore Paul McRoberts, who caught 11 passes for a 12.5-yard average and two touchdowns as a true freshman, showed glimpses of being a potential future star.

Among several others battling for playing time are sophomore Peter Lloyd and sophomore Garett Schaefer, a walk-on from Scott City High School.

Tight end

Fifth-year senior Tyler French returns after being sidelined all of last season with an injury as he was granted a medical redshirt. He made six starts in 2011, catching eight passes and scoring once.

Senior Art Mueller played in every game last season. He did not catch a pass after having four receptions in 2011.

Another returning senior is Wyky Jean.

Offensive line

Junior left tackle Ben Schmidt and junior center Corey Porter both started all 11 games last season.

Redshirt freshman Garret Baker is projected as the starter at right tackle.

Projected to start at the guard positions are sophomore Traven Mable on the right side and junior college transfer Kyle Finney on the left side. Mable played in all 11 games last season and made one start.

Other returning linemen with experience are sophomore Donnie Bess, who played in 10 games a year ago; senior Conrad Schmid, who played in six games; and junior William Jelks, who saw action in two contests.

Several true freshmen are also battling for playing time.