Bearkats post big offensive numbers against NDSU
9/14/2009 4:15:00 PM | Football
As a team, the Kats racked up 620 yards of total offense which ranks as the third-best offensive output in school history and the second-best since the Kats moved up to the Division I level. Included in the 620 yards of total offense were 482 through the air, which is the fifth-best mark as a team.
The total combined points is a stat category that has seen several revisions in the last two years, and Saturday's 93-point combined effort from the Bearkats and the Bison is another one to add to the list. It ties for the fifth-most combined points in a game. Last season the Bearkats were beat by Texas State by the same score as Saturday. Also in 2008, SHSU and Central Arkansas combined for 94 points. The school record is 101, between the Kats and Texas Tech in 2005.
The Bearkats also added a few entries in the individual record books. Quarterback Blake Joseph passed for 482 yards, which is the fourth-most for a Bearkat quarterback. Dustin Long set the record in 2004 with a 577-yard effort against McNeese State. With 51 yards rushing, Joseph produced 533 yards of total offense, putting him second behind Long's 598 in that same game against McNeese State. It is only the third time a Bearkat quarterback has eclipsed the 500-yard mark with Rhett Bomar going for 507 last season.
Joseph moved into the top 10 games in Southland Conference history as well on Saturday. His passing mark is No. 9 on the all-time list and the total offense number is No. 4 in the SLC.
The biggest recipient of Joseph's big passing day was receiver Jason Madkins. The senior from Mart caught six balls for 239 yards, falling three yards short of the single game record set by Jonathon Cooper in 2001 against Western Illinois. Five of Madkins catches went for big yardage, hauling in passes of 49, 39, 45, 46 and 51 yards, with the 46-yarder going for a score. Madkins also jumps into the SLC record book with the third-best game in SLC history behind Cooper and the leader, Northwester State's Ronald Bonner, who caught for 247 in a game in 1997.
Freshman Melvis Pride also got in on the action, returning seven kickoffs for 134 yards. The seven returns ties Robert Garmon for the most in a game and the 134 yards is the fifth-most in school history.
The Bearkats have also had one player already reach a personal milestone this season. With 178 yards rushing this year, James Aston has surpassed 1,000 yards rushing in his Bearkat career. The senior from Katy becomes the 28th Bearkat runner to top the 1,000 yard mark for a career, with 1,064. Along with Chris Poullard (1,191 career yards), the Bearkats have a pair of career 1,000-yard runners.
The Bearkats have a bye this week, and will be back in action Sept. 26 when they travel to Tulsa. The next home game for the Bearkats is Oct. 3 against Saint Joseph's. Tickets are available online by clicking here.
