CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – The formula for Southeast Missouri's offensive line is simple. Run the football, protect the quarterback, and win football games.
 
That's what you'll see this unit constantly working to achieve every time it steps on the field. 
 
SEMO's offensive line is polished, poised and confident behind Preseason All-Ohio Valley Conference selections and returning starters Nate Korte and Zack Gieg.
 
A native of Morris, Illinois, Korte begins his sixth year (due to COVID-19) as the mainstay on the Redhawks offensive line. He enters his fourth season as the Redhawks starting right tackle where he has accumulated 30 career starts. Korte earned Second-Team All-OVC accolades in 2021.
 
Gieg, who hails from Morgan Hill, California, claimed First-Team All-OVC laurels in his first year at SEMO after transferring from Fresno State. He logged 10 starts at center during the 2021 campaign.
 
"Nate and Zack are our two leaders," said first-year Offensive Line Coach Lucas Orchard. "Nate opted to use his COVID year, loves this team and wants to help this team win. Zack did a really good job for us after transferring last year. He has established himself as a leader and someone we can rely on to be the anchor in the middle at center."
 
Senior Clive Truschel is Gieg's backup at center, while junior AJ Laux is behind Korte at right tackle. Truschel played in two games and Laux did not see action last season.
 
At left tackle, it will be either graduate student Terry Cook or junior Phillip Wilder. Cook and Wilder both made seven starts between the tackle positions a year ago.
 
Senior Shyron Rodgers, Truschel, sophomore Kobe Sixkiller and senior Will Christopher are battling for starting duties at the guard spots.
 
Rodgers started to first five games of the 2021 season and has the edge at left guard, while Sixkiller, a transfer from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, is projected to start on the right side.
 
McKel Brumfield returns after redshirting last season. 
 
In addition to Brumfield, the Redhawks brought in six freshmen to round out this year's group. Ja'Kobe Watkins, Chris Frye, Tyson Miller, Jamarcus Hill, Rashad Turner and Cameron Lawson are the newest additions.
 
SEMO ranked among the top three in the OVC in rushing offense each the last three seasons and rated second each of the previous two years. Orchard, a former SEMO offensive lineman himself, wants that trend to continue.
 
"I played in this group, and it means a lot to me to be able to coach these guys," said Orchard. "I know what they are capable of and expect them to be perfect on every play, knowing they won't be. We will do any means necessary to run the football and do whatever it takes to lead this team to success. We want to be the toughest and most physical unit in the OVC."