SEMO will announce starting QB at kickoff against NMSU

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – Southeast Missouri State will make a game time decision as to who will be the RedHawks starting quarterback against New Mexico State on Saturday, per KFVS.

SEMO’s starting quarterback Paxton DeLaurent went out late in the second quarter against North Alabama in week zero last week, never returning. Freshman Carter Hensley then entered the game and led the RedHawks to a comeback against the Lions, 37-15.

Hensley completed 10-of-14 passes for 100 yards and one touchdown in just over two quarters of action. SEMO also put away three rushing touchdowns during this time as well.

With DeLaurent and Hensley each bringing a different style of play to the game, NMSU says they’ll be ready to see either.

“Any program when you drop from your one day or two you want to establish a run to help that guy out so he can throw the ball, get a cleaner box,” said head coach Tony Sanchez. “If he [Hensley] does start over DeLaurent then I think they will be a little bit more run heavy. But at the end of the day, you got to go ahead and defend the entire offense.

“No matter who’s the quarterback, football’s all about upfront and stopping the run,” said safety Dylan Easy. “I just know the freshman quarterback he’ll run it a bit more – where the starting quarterback he runs the offense by making a lot more checks. If we see the freshman he can throw the ball still but they’re going to be way more simple and want to run the ball and lean on like their playmakers. So once you take their playmakers away, then we should be be ok.”

Kickoff from Aggie Memorial Stadium is slated for 7 p.m. MT on Saturday, which is when it is expected SEMO will name a starting QB.

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