Samuel gives Lathrop starting nod at QB against Mississippi

By Marty mishow ~ Southeast Missourian

OXFORD, Miss. -- The Southeast Missouri State football team has only played two games this season, but the Redhawks have already used two different starting quarterbacks.

Sophomore Scott Lathrop, last year's starter, got the nod Saturday night at Mississippi.

Lathrop replaced junior Kyle Snyder, who made the trip but was on the sidelines in street clothes nursing a shoulder injury that coach Tony Samuel said he suffered during the season opener at Southeastern Louisiana.

Lathrop, the 2012 Ohio Valley Conference freshman of the year, went all the way Saturday as the Redhawks outscored Ole Miss 13-0 in the second half during a 31-13 loss.

"It's fun. I love playing football, especially in an atmosphere like [Ole Miss]," Lathrop said. "That's an experience that I'll be able to tell my kids and grandkids about."

Lathrop completed 16 of 24 passes for 159 yards and two touchdowns. He was intercepted once.

"Scotty had a real good game," said Samuel, who would not say whether he thought Snyder would be ready for the Redhawks' next game, Sept. 21 against SIU at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.

Lathrop was 11 of 14 for 109 yards and both touchdowns in the second half.

"I just wanted to come out there and execute what the coaches wanted me to do," Lathrop said. "Just take care of the ball and try to move the ball as efficiently as we can."

Statistically speaking

Senior D.J. Foster was Lathrop's favorite target, catching six passes for 53 yards and a touchdown.

Junior Spencer Davis had four receptions for 43 yards and a touchdown. Sophomore Paul McRoberts had three receptions for 44 yards.

Sophomore Peter Lloyd made his first two collegiate receptions, good for 14 yards, and junior Mike Cyliax caught his first career pass, a 5-yarder.

Southeast was outgained 532-252 in total yardage as the Redhawks' normal stout rushing attack was held to 93 yards. Junior fullback Ron Coleman gained 45 yards on 13 carries.

Southeast had several notable firsts on defense, including junior linebacker Daniel Siehndel's first career interception in the fourth quarter.

"It couldn't come at a better place," Siehndel said.

Junior linebacker Wisler Ymonice notched his first career sack, as did junior college transfer safety Ron Davis although he is in his first season with the Redhawks.

Sophomore defensive end Travis Sanders recorded his first career fumble recovery on a fumble he forced.

Junior linebacker Matt Starks led Southeast in tackles with 11. Senior safety Ben Kargbo had nine. Redshirt freshman linebacker Terrance Hill recorded two tackles for loss.

Senior cornerback Cantrell Andrews returned the fumble Davis forced 43 yards. He also broke up two passes, as did true freshman cornerback Buck Wilson.

Another line injury

Right offensive tackle appears to be a jinxed position for the Redhawks.

Redshirt freshman Garret Baker suffered a broken leg on the third play of the season opener at Southeastern Louisiana.

Junior William Jelks, who replaced Baker in the starting lineup, went down with an apparent leg injury midway through the second quarter Saturday. He did not return.

True freshman Jake McCandless replaced Jelks.