Southeast Missouri State QB Snyder unable to receive another year of eligibility

Since Southeast Missouri State quarterback Kyle Snyder missed the 2012 season with a torn ACL, the option for him to apply to gain an extra year of eligibility has been looming.

Snyder, who had already used a redshirt year two years prior to that as a freshman at Ohio University, tore his ACL during preseason camp as a redshirt sophomore in his first season at Southeast.

Redhawks first-year coach Tom Matukewicz spent time during the team's bye week last week trying to get the paperwork needed to apply for Snyder to be considered for a sixth year in order, but Matukewicz learned Monday that the case for Snyder wouldn't be strong enough.

The senior from Barberton, Ohio, has only three games remaining as a Redhawk.

His case for a sixth year of eligibility wasn't strong enough because he did not have an injury during his freshman year as a Bobcat that was deemed to have kept him from playing.

"He was injured at Ohio University and he was redshirted, but he didn't get injured enough that would warrant a sixth year," Matukewicz said. "We went through and got all the paperwork and that whole ordeal, and then at the end of the day there just wasn't enough there to warrant that."

Following Snyder's redshirt year, he played in five games for the Bobcats in 2011 before transferring to Southeast.

After missing the entire 2012 season due to his ACL injury, he shared time with Scott Lathrop last year, playing in seven games and making four starts as a junior.

Snyder, who has started each of Southeast's first nine games this season, would not have been able to apply for the extra year of eligibility until he had exhausted his eligibility at the end of this season, but Matukewicz had known since he'd arrived at Southeast after being hired in January that it was something they'd attempt.

"Well I had it in the motions, so what we were waiting on was Ohio to send all of his medical forms over, so that we could get our case together," Matukewicz said. "That all just happened. We spent the off week getting all that done, and then Monday once we went through everything there just wasn't enough there."

Snyder's helped the Redhawks to a 4-5 record this season, throwing for 1,911 yards and 15 touchdowns while rushing for 491 yards and 8 touchdowns.

"It was something we knew for awhile and definitely tried because we'd love to have him," Matukewicz said, "but it won't happen."

Snyder was back on the field at Houck Stadium for a rainy Tuesday night practice. He was joined back on the field by junior receiver Paul McRoberts, who has missed the past five games with a Lisfranc fracture in his right foot, and senior running back Lennies McFerren, who missed the Redhawks last game with a sprained ankle.

Both McRoberts and McFerren are expected to play in Southeast's road game against Tennessee Tech on Saturday.

Redshirt freshman receiver Tyler McLemore and senior receiver Mike Cyliax both are out with knee injuries. McLemore will have to have his ACL repaired.