Football hosts Western Illinois Thursday

Football hosts Western Illinois Thursday

9/2/2009 8:00:00 AM | Football

By: GoBearkats.com

Sam Houston begins its 94th season of football Thursday Sept. 3 when the Bearkats kick off against Western Illinois at 6 p.m.

The Bearkats own a 51-38-4 record in season opening games. Sam Houston has won 10 of its last 11 season openers and owns a 16-7 record in opening games since moving up to NCAA Division I championship subdivision play.

The contest also will mark the 13th time the Bearkats have opened a season with a home game at Bowers Stadium. Sam Houston is 9-3 in the previous 12 Bowers season openers.

Thursday's Sam Houston-Western Illinois game will be televised to a three-state regional TV audience by the Southland Conference Television Network. The contest opens an 11-game broadcast schedule.

KNWS Channel 51 in Houston will be the area outlet for the game. The contest may be viewed in Huntsville on Sudden Link Channel 22.

Other stations carrying the game are KUIL (Beaumont, )MyTX 18 (Tyler-Longview), Time Warner Cable (Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas, San Antonio and Waco), KPXJ (Shreveport-Texarkana), WBTR (Baton Rouge), KARZ (Little Rock) and Suddenlink Communications (Lake Charles).

BEARKAT RADIO

KSAM 101.7 FM will broadcast all Sam Houston football games in 2009. Kooter Roberson and Leroy Wilkinson will be the voices of the Bearkats. The broadcast can be heard anywhere in the world on the web at www.gobearkats.com or www.ksam1017.com.

THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

The match-up between the Bearkats and the Leathernecks marks the 25th time Sam Houston has played football on a Thursday.

The Kats are 18-6 on Thursdays. Eleven of the Thursday games were played on Thanksgiving (1926 to 1948).

WESTERN ILLINOIS LEATHERNECKS

Western Illinois is beginning its 107th season of intercollegiate football. The Leathernecks are members of the Missouri Valley Conference. WIU has earned NCAA Division I football playoff berths eight times, the last in 2003.

WIU returns 12 starters and 32 lettermen from last year's 6-5 team that tied for fourth place in the Missouri Valley final standings.

SAM HOUSTON VS. WESTERN ILLINOIS SERIES

Thursday's game marks the eighth football meeting of the two universities. Sam Houston holds a 4-2-1 record against the Leathernecks. The pair's last meeting was in 2002 when WIU won 41-13 in Macomb.

Western Illinois has traveled to Bowers Stadium three previous times. The Bearkats won all three meetings in Huntsvile by scores of 42-18 in 1987, 19-14 in 1992 and 49-24 in 2001.

BEARKAT SQUAD BREAKDOWN

Sam Houston returns 44 lettermen including 11 starters from the 2008 squad.

While the Bearkats' 4-6 season mark and sixth place Southland Conference finish in 2008 were disappointing, eight points were all that separated Sam Houston from a 7-3 record and a tie for the Southland crown. The Kats lost their last two home games in overtime, both by field goals, and dropped their league opener to nationally-ranked Central Arkansas by the margin of a late failed two-point conversion.

"The overtime losses in our final two games hurt. I think this team is hungry for success this year," head coach Todd Whitten said. "We have a strong senior class to whom we will look for leadership. We have a lot of young players who saw action in backup roles last year and some newcomers who can make an immediate impact."

MAJOR CONCERNS IN 2009

Head coach Todd Whitten lists two areas of concern going into the 2009 season. The first is defense. Last year, Sam Houston ranked No. 5 in NCAA FCS football in total offense but No. 105 in total defense.

"We have to stop people," Whitten said. "We made some changes defensively in spring ball and are pleased with our progress."

New defensive coordinator Scott Stoker, formerly head coach at Northwestern State, has Sam Houston's young defensive group playing their new system with renewed intensity.

"With Coach Stoker, we've changed our philosophy and become more pressure oriented than in the past," Whitten said. "We want to create more sacks and more turnovers and utilize our speed."

The second concern is at quarterback where the Kats must replace Rhett Bomar, Sam Houston's all-time total offense leader. University of Houston transfer Blake Joseph is set to take over as the Bearkat starter. Bryan Randolph will be the backup.

"With Bryan and Blake, we should be in good shape at quarterback," Whitten said. "We look to be more balanced between run and pass this year. If we can rack up more offensive possession time, that takes some pressure off the defense."

OFFENSIVE OUTLOOK

Sam Houston State ranked No. 6 in NCAA Division I FCS passing (338.0 yards per game) and total offense (475.3) and No. 11 in scoring (35.3 points per contest) in 2008.

With James Aston and Chris Poullard returning at running back, the Kats look to use the ground game more this season.

Aston ranked No. 4 in Southland rushing last year with 886 yards and 11 TDs. He totaled 1,407 all-purpose yards and ranked No. 3 in the Southland in scoring with 84 points.

Poullard was No. 4 in SLC rushing in 2007 with 1,038 yards and 13 TDs, becoming the 7th running back at Sam Houston to gain more than 1,000 yards in a season. Poullard red-shirted in 2008.

All-Southland Conference guard Hunter Schmidt is one of four seniors in the offensive line. Joining him are center Jordan Bowersox, guard Travis Best and tackle R. C. Fairchild. Sophomore tackle Travis Watson also was a starter last season.

Chris Lucas and Jason Madkins are set to lead the Bearkats' receiving corps. Lucas ranked No. 9 in receptions per game in the Southland last year. Madkins, a big target at 6-5, caught 23 passes for 319 yards and 6 touchdowns in 2008.

Blake Joseph, a transfer from University of Houston, will be the starting quarterback. During his career at UH, Joseph completed 120-of-184 passes for 1,581 yards and had 10 touchdowns. His best season under center was 2007 when he made five starts, passing for 1,324 yards and nine touchdowns. His best game that season was a 318-yard effort against Rice where he threw for three touchdowns.

"We think he is a real talent," Whitten said. "He has great feet and a strong arm and he moves around well. He is going to be able to extend some plays with his feet and we will be able to have some designed runs for him."

Joseph joined the team for fall camp in August, so he is still learning the offense, which Whitten said is now a focus to get him completely up to speed.

Bryan Randolph, who served as the backup to Rhett Bomar last season, will be the Bearkats' No. 2 quarterback. Randolph was an All-Western State Conference signal-caller for Moorpark College in California in 2007, throwing for 1,733 yards.

DEFENSIVE OUTLOOK

Senior defensive end Chris Brown, linebacker Luke McCall and defensive tackle Kevin Smith are the only returning starters.

Brown, a two-time first team All-Southland pick, has 14 QB sacks to his credit in two seasons since transferring from Texas.

McCall is a three-year starter at linebacker who has totaled 171 tackles during his career.

Smith started every game last year at tackle, totaling three sacks and 17 tackles as a junior.

The Bearkats must replace five defensive players who earned either All-Southland second team or honorable mention in 2008.

Players who saw action as backups last year and are ready to step into front line roles include safety Randy Stewart, cornerback Jarvis Pippins, defensive linemen Antonio Cobb and linebacker Will Henry.

Transfer Victor Carmichael and freshmen Darnell Taylor and Robert Shaw have battled their way into the lineup in preseason camp.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Another area where the Bearkats look improved is special teams.

Michael Capparelli, an honorable mention All-Southland Conference punter in 2007, returns after red-shirting last year. He ranked No. 4 in the league with a 41.0 average two years ago.

Senior Taylor Wilkins ranks No. 4 at Sam Houston in all-time kicking points (173). Freshman Miquel Antonio has been impressive on long field goals and kickoffs.

FOUR SAM HOUSTON PLAYERS NAMED PRESEASON ALL-LEAGUE

Offensive lineman Hunter Schmidt and defensive end Chris Brown are first team selections and running back Chris Poullard and linebacker Luke McCall have been named to the second team for Sam Houston State on the 2009 preseason All-Southland Conference team.

Schmidt, a senior from Alvin, is a two-time All-Southland Conference offensive guard . He was selected Southland second team in 2008 and honorable mention in 2007. Schmidt has started all 32 games during his Bearkat career, opening holes for consecutive 1,000-yard rushers D. D. Terry (2006) and Chris Poullard (2007) and blocking for all-time SHSU passing and total offense leader Rhett Bomar.

Brown, senior from Texarkana, TX, is a two-time All-Southland first team defensive end. He was named to the College Sports News All-America squad in 2008 and Sports Network honorable mention All-America in 2007. Brown finished No. 3 in QB sacks (9) and No. 4 in tackles for losses (11) in the Southland in 2008. He ranks No. 14 all-time at SHSU with 14 career sacks.

McCall, a senior from Corpus Christi, is a three-year starter who has totaled 171 tackles at linebacker. He has started 24 games in his Bearkat career, ranking seventh on the team in tackles (39) as a junior and third as a sophomore (72).

Poullard, a junior from Killeen, was a second team All-Southland selection in 2007 who is returning to the backfield after red-shirting in 2008. He became the seventh running back in Sam Houston history to gain more than 1,000 yards in a single season as a sophomore, carrying 209 times for 1,038 yards and 13 touchdowns.

SAM HOUSTON STATE DEPTH CHART

BEARKAT OFFENSE							BEARKAT DEFENSE
QB	9	Blake Joseph	6-2	215	Sr	Bryan	WE	8	Chris Brown	6-2	212	Sr	Texarkana
	11	Bryan Randolph	6-3	200	Jr	Simi Valley, CA		92	Coty Gatewood	6-2	260	Jr	Kilgore
RB	22	James Aston	5-8	218	Sr	Katy	NT	69	Chris Stewart	6-0	268	Sr	Magnolia
	33	Chris Poullard	5-10	195	Jr	Killeen		93	Justin Childs	6-3	290	Sr	Richmond
WR	4	Jason Madkins	6-5	223	Sr	Mart	T	57	Kevin Smith	6-2	308	Sr	Klein Forest
	3	Chris Lucas	5-10	174	Sr	Hazel Green, AL		99	Quentin Horn	6-2	270	Fr	Waco
WR	7	Jake Lebens	6-4	202	Sr	Round Rock	SE	97	Antonio Cobb	6-0	273	Jr	Pflugerville
	14	Melvis Pride	5-11	192	Fr	Odessa / Permian		90	Edward Decambre	6-2	245	So	Austin
TE	83	T. J. Jones	6-3	235	So	Tyler / Lee	WLB	21	Will Henry	5-10	195	So	Waco / LaVega
	86	John Clark	6-4	245	Sr	El Mirage, AZ		54	Shawn Weatherford	6-0	218	Sr	Paul's Valley, OK
QT	71	R. C. Fairchild	6-3	294	Sr	The Woodlands	MLB	42	Luke McCall	6-0	227	Sr	Corpus Christi
	67	Riley Smith	6-4	280	Fr	Huntsville		47	Kash David	6-2	219	So	Georgetown
QG	64	Travis Best	6-2	302	Sr	Houston / Cy Falls	CB	20	Jarvis Pippins	5-8	164	Jr	Longview
	74	Hadji Woods	6-2	310	So	Klein Forest		30	Cameron Jenkins	5-9	158	Sr	Richardson
C	52	Jordan Bowersox	6-2	277	Sr	Wichita, KS	CB	36	Robert Shaw	6-0	185	Fr	Converse/Judson
	72	Cameron Pound	6-3	295	Fr	Moore, OK		10	TyMagic Robinson	5-8	180	Jr	Klein Forest
TG	78	Hunter Schmidt	6-3	304	Sr	Alvin	WS	43	Brandon Bruce	5-11	202	Jr	Hughes Springs
	75	Austin Wilson	6-1	290	Sr	Palestine		18	Chuck Obi	6-2	170	Fr	Sugar Land
TT	73	Travis Watson	6-2	295	So	Norman, OK	SS	39	Darnell Taylor	6-0	190	Fr	Mesquite
	77	Kaleb Hopson	6-6	290	Fr	Early		13	Trey Wilder	5-8	185	So	Waxahachie
WR	6	Darnell Jones	5-10	175	Sr	Galveston / Ball	FS	1	Victor Carmichael	6-1	190	Jr	Waco/University
	84	Vincent Dotson	5-10	180	Fr	DeSoto		32	Kenneth Jenkins	5-10	185	Fr	Galveston/Ball



BEARKAT SPECIALISTS							BEARKAT SPECIALISTS
P	26	Michael Capparelli	5-8	162	Jr	Copperas Cove	DS	48	Justin Humphrey	6-4	248	Jr	Huntsville
	23	Lucas Ortiz	5-10	175	Sr	Leavenworth, KS		52	Jordan Bowersox	6-2	227	Sr	Wichita, KS
K	98	Miquel Antonio	5-10	160	Fr	Lovelady	PR	6	Darnell Jones	5-10	175	Sr	Galveston / Ball
	17	Taylor Wilkins	5-7	158	Sr	LaMarque		14	Melvis Pride	5-11	192	Fr	Odessa / Permian
H	11	Bryan Randolph	6-3	200	Jr	Simi Valley, CA	KR	14	Melvis Pride	5-11	192	Fr	Odessa / Permian
								22	James Aston	5-8	218	Sr	Katy