Kat QB ready for return trip to Tulsa
9/24/2009 8:45:00 AM | Football
For a quarterback who only had 19 practice sessions with his Sam Houston State teammates before seeing action in a game, Bearkat signal-caller Blake Joseph is settling in nicely with his new team.
Joseph transferred to Sam Houston in August after four seasons at the University of Houston and he's excited to be a Bearkat.
"I'm happy to be back on the field and I'm blessed that Sam Houston gave me the opportunity to play quarterback," Joseph said.
The Bryan product split time with the current Couger starting quarterback Case Keenum in 2007, helping to lead Houston to an 8-5 record that season. Joseph passed for 1,324 yards and nine touchdowns that year. But in 2008, Keenum nailed down the starting job. Joseph decided his best option was to move on.
"Being from Bryan, I knew all about how Dustin Long left Texas A&M and had success at Sam Houston. I decided to give it a try," Joseph said. "The first week of practice, it was a little tough, but each week things have gotten better. I've gotten tremendous support from my teammates. Our offensive line is doing a great job of giving me protection, the receivers are making great catches and we've got some great running backs too."
Already Joseph is making a mark in the Bearkats' record book. His 533 total offense yards in a 48-45 victory over North Dakota State ranks as the second highest SHSU single game total. Long holds the record with 598 yards in a victory over McNeese in 2004. Joseph's 482 yards passing in the Bison game ranks number four all-time at Sam Houston.
This weekend, the Bearkats travel to Oklahoma to meet the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes, a Conference USA team just like Joseph's former squad at Houston.
"I've been up to Tulsa twice, in 2005 my freshman year when I was red-shirting and in 2007 as a sophomore," Joseph said. "It's a great atmosphere and Tulsa has an outstanding program. I'm looking forward to the experience again."
Joseph was named as the Bearkats' starting quarterback a week-and-a-half before the season opener against Western Illinois.
"Blake had a lot of catching up to do, but he's got a great work ethic and is doing a good job for us," SHSU head coach Todd Whitten said. "I told him early on that he would be settled in by the time we got to Southland Conference play. In every game and practice, he's gaining confidence and getting better. I'll tell you this: Blake Joseph is a very good quarterback."
Joseph is working to build chemistry with his teammates on and off the field. He once cooked dinner for his offensive linemen.
"Those guys can eat," Joseph said. "I had to fix a lot of burgers. It's really exciting the way our offense is coming together as a unit. We're just working to get better every day."
Following the Tulsa game, Sam Houston State returns to Bowers Stadium for its final non-conference game against Saint Joseph's College on Saturday Oct. 3. The Bearkats will open Southland Conference play Saturday Oct. 10 with Nicholls State. Kickoff for both home games is 2 p.m.
For complete information about Bearkat athletic events, go on the web to www.gobearkats.com. Ticket prices for Bearkat football at $25 for reserved chairback seats and $15 for general admission bench seats. Tickets are available online by clicking here.
Fans also may purchase tickets in person at the Sam Houston State ticket office in the Ron Mafrige Field House located in the south end zone of Bowers Stadium. Box office hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Bearkat ticket office telephone number is (936) 294-1729.
