Redhawks' QB job remains unclear

Junior Kyle Snyder and sophomore Scott Lathrop has each had plenty of opportunities to get a grip on Southeast Missouri State's starting quarterback position this year.

While both have had their moments, neither has exactly taken the job and run with it.

Lathrop, after leading the Redhawks to their first win of the season on Oct. 12 against Murray State, appeared to have a firm handle on things when he made his fourth straight start Saturday.

But Snyder, who started four or Southeast's first five games but had not seen action since Oct. 5 at Tennessee State, replaced Lathrop in the third quarter and helped rally the Redhawks to their second victory, a wild 37-35 decision over Division II Urbana University.

So who gets the nod as the starter Saturday when the Redhawks (2-7, 1-4 Ohio Valley Conference) host Tennessee Tech (3-7, 0-6) on Senior Day at Houck Stadium?

That is to be determined during practice this week, Southeast coach Tony Samuel said Monday during his weekly media conference.

"We'll see. It's Monday. We're way too early to get into all that," Samuel said. "They both did some good things and they both did some bad things [against Urbana]."

Snyder, who missed all of last year with a knee injury, was the clear-cut starter entering this season. He had some up-and-down performances before giving way to Lathrop, the 2012 OVC freshman of the year.

Lathrop had several solid outings and threw two first-half touchdown passes Saturday, but he got the hook in the third quarter after throwing interceptions on consecutive drives.

Snyder, who made several big plays with his arm and legs, fired two TD passes, including the game-winning 23-yarder to sophomore wide receiver Paul McRoberts with 37 seconds left.

"I hadn't been out there in a few weeks, but I went through every practice preparing like it was a game," Snyder said following the contest.

Snyder, naturally, said he would love to get another shot this week when the Redhawks make their final home appearance.

"We'll see how the week goes. It's the coaches' decision," Snyder said.

Whoever plays quarterback this week, the Redhawks figure to have a solid shot at their first two-game winning streak of the season.

Tennessee Tech, which like Southeast has been hampered by injuries, has lost five straight during which its closest margin of defeat is 11 points.

But Samuel doesn't expect an easy time against the Eagles, who Southeast outlasted 41-38 in double-overtime a year ago at Houck.

Nine of the last 10 meetings between the squads have been decided by seven points or less.

"They're a very good team, young like us," Samuel said. "We always seem to play them close games."