Redhawks try two QBs vs. Lions

Southeast Missouri State football coach Tony Samuel indicated before the season that there was a solid chance the Redhawks would use more than one quarterback at times this year.

It didn't take long for that to come true as both junior Kyle Snyder and sophomore Scott Lathrop saw action during Thursday night's season-opening 45-7 loss at Southeastern Louisiana.

Snyder, who won the starting job during fall camp, played in his first game since the 2011 season -- when he saw limited action as a redshirt freshman backup at Ohio University.

Snyder suffered a season-ending knee injury nine days into fall camp last year after he had an impressive spring and established himself as the Redhawks' starter.

Snyder saw the bulk of the action Thursday. He completed 6 of 13 passes for 75 yards and rushed for just six yards on 6 attempts.

Southeast suffered a scare when Snyder was shaken up following a 9-yard run late in the first half. He limped off the field and was replaced by Lathrop, who had also directed the offense in the previous series.

Snyder, however, was back in the game to start the third quarter and played most of the second half.

"He landed funny. I think he's fine," Samuel said.

Lathrop, last year's Ohio Valley Conference freshman of the year as he took over following Snyder's fall camp injury, played two series in the second half along with the two in the opening half.

Lathrop completed just 1 of 6 passes for 13 yards and he was intercepted once, on a tipped ball. He rushed for 41 yards on 12 carries.

Statistically speaking

The Lions wound up outgaining the Redhawks in total yardage by a whopping 494-294 margin after Southeastern Louisiana held only a 227-184 advantage during the first half that ended 24-7.

Southeastern Louisiana rushed for 309 yards and passed for 185 yards. The Redhawks rushed for 206 yards and threw for just 88 yards.

Junior quarterback Bryan Bennett, an Oregon transfer who compiled solid statistics as a backup for the FBS power Ducks the past two years, had an impressive debut for the Lions.

Bennett completed 9 of 15 passes for 169 yards. He rushed for 106 yards on 12 attempts and scored three touchdowns, including a 30-yard scoring run.

"He's a very good quarterback," Samuel said.

Sophomore tailback DeMichael Jackson led Southeast rushers with 61 yards on eight attempts. He had the Redhawks' longest offensive play, a 37-yard burst late in the contest.

Junior tailback Lennies McFerren, who scored Southeast's only touchdown on a 6-yard run in the first quarter, rushed for 47 yards on 12 carries.

Junior wide receiver Spencer Davis caught three passes for 46 yards. Sophomore wide out Paul McRoberts caught three balls for 38 yards.

Senior safety Ben Kargbo and senior cornerback Cantrell Andrews from Central High School led Southeast's defense with nine tackles apiece.

Junior linebacker Matt Starks had eight tackles, followed by redshirt freshman linebacker Roper Garrett with seven and junior college transfer safety Ron Davis with six.

Southeast, after having an OVC-low eight sacks all of last season, recorded two sacks Thursday, both of Bennett and both in the first half.

Redshirt freshman defensive tackle Austin Black had a sack while sophomore defensive end Lawrence Hills and true freshman defensive tackle Marlon Hampton were each credited with a half-sack.

Baker hurt

Southeast redshirt freshman right offensive tackle Garret Baker suffered what Samuel said was a broken leg on the Redhawks' third offensive play. He had to be carted off the field and will likely miss the remainder of the season.