Eight months ago, Southeast Missouri State University quarterback Kyle Snyder suffered a season-ending injury during preseason camp that required surgery. The opportunity was then given to quarterbacks Scott Lathrop and Blake Jackson to share the starting role.

Southeast football coach Tony Samuel said he has been impressed by Snyder and his overall play on the field.

"I'm feeling really good," Snyder said after participating in a spring practice. "I'm just getting out here and easing my way into it, and I'm progressing each day."

Snyder transferred to Southeast from Ohio University in 2012. He threw 5-of-8 passes for 38 yards and rushed 13 times for 80 yards in five games during the Bobcat's 2011 season.

"They're taking it easy on me, putting me in team situations out there with the guys, so that's good," Snyder said. "They didn't think I'd be as far along as I am right now, which is good."

But the battle of the quarterbacks will not be easy in spring camp since the big question revolves around that position and who will get more repetitions.

"Right now, it's an open battle," Lathrop said.

Lathrop performed well for the Redhawks, finishing with 1,025 yards passing, five interceptions and seven touchdowns last season.

"All I'm worried about is coming out doing the best that I can do -- control what I can control," Lathrop said. "So I'm just going to come out here and be the best I can and whoever starts, starts."

Lathrop also was named Ohio Valley Conference Freshman of the Year. He was among 20 finalists for the Jerry Rice Award, which honors the freshman of the year in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision.

"I just want whatever is best for this team," Lathrop said. "I care enough for these guys that I'm not selfish to where I'd rather start. I feel like that if I work hard and take care of things I need to, then I should be able to run the offense just as well as anyone on the team."

Jackson shared some time on the field as a true freshman, playing eight games and completing 4-of-9 passes for 36 yards and one touchdown. He also had 119 yards rushing and a touchdown on 30 carries last year.

"We haven't done that much," Samuel said about the quarterback's practices. "It's still early."

During spring camp, the quarterbacks have played a limited role, working on throwing mechanics while the other players have been learning the fundamentals and concentrating on safety measures. For now, it is just a light practice until fall camp begins.

But while the quarterbacks are in competition together, they all share the same goal, to win the OVC championship.

"Be the top offense in the OVC, that's our goal, the offensive unit and basically go from there," Snyder said. "If you win the OVC then you're in the playoffs. Hopefully we could keep it going from there."

The Redhawks finished last season with an overall record of 3-8 and 2-6 in the OVC.

"I want to have a winning season, all these guys are tired of losing the game," Lathrop said. "We want to get more respect around this campus and make people around here excited about Southeast sports, football."

Southeast will open its season against Southeastern Louisiana on August 29 in Hammond, La.

Teams that will be added to the Redhawks' nonconference schedule next season include Urbana University, Southeastern Louisiana and the University of Mississippi from the Southeastern Conference on Sept. 7.

"Going to Ole Miss, that's going to be pretty fun," Lathrop said. "That will be an experience, I'm looking forward to it."

Southeast will also face regional-rival SIU Carbondale in the first-ever football played at Busch Stadium.

"Nothing's really changed since the past year," Snyder said. "The coaches will always make the best decisions, so you just leave it up to them. Everything will fall into place."