Tim Flanders leading Bearkat running attack
10/16/2010 6:10:00 AM | Football
By Cody Stark Huntsville Item
Tim Flanders is there one second, then he is gone. He looks like he is about to go down, then he somehow manages to stay on his feet and pick up critical extra yards.Sam Houston State's dynamic freshman running back isn't superhuman, but it sometimes feels that way.
"He is very explosive, and for as little as he is, he is one tough dude," Bearkats tackle Kaleb Hopson said.
When the start of preseason camp rolled around in August, Sam Houston State head coach Willie Fritz wasn't sure who was going to be the primary running back. After all, the Bearkats didn't have a single ball carrier on the roster from spring practice.
The first-year coach knew he was going to have to rely on a freshman, but it wasn't until almost two weeks into camp that a home warming gift in the form of Flanders would arrive as a transfer from Kansas State.
With a late start on things, Flanders didn't see his first action until the fourth quarter of a 34-3 loss to Baylor in the season opener. But in the limited time he was on the field, Flanders showed flashes of potential, picking up 40 yards on just four carries.
"You never know what you are going to get when you get a transfer. Maybe he wasn't playing at that place because he wasn't good enough," Fritz said. "That's not the case with Tim. He certainly is a big-time back and an excellent football player."
Flanders' performance against Baylor rushed him to the top of the depth chart. The Bearkats followed up the loss to the Bears with a road trip to Western Illinois, and even though Sam Houston took one on the chin in a 56-14 setback to the Leathernecks, Flanders emerged as a game-changing playmaker.
With the Bearkats trailing 14-0, he rumbled his way into the secondary and broke free for a 33-yard touchdown run for Sam Houston's first trip to the end zone of the season. Flanders also added a 31-yard scoring run to get the Kats to within 21-14 in the second quarter, but the Leathernecks pulled away in the second half.
Just like that, the Bearkats found their running back. Flanders went on to rush for 153 yards in the loss. He also topped the century mark in three straight wins over Gardner-Webb, Lamar and Nicholls to become the first freshman in SHSU history to rush for more than 100 yards in four consecutive games.
"I honestly didn't think I was going to have this kind of impact when I got to Sam Houston because I got here late," Flanders said. "I didn't think I was going to be able to come in and start, but my goal was just to come in and make a positive impact anyway I could."
That impact is making teams around the Southland Conference take notice. Flanders leads the league in rushing with 558 yards and seven touchdowns to help Sam Houston begin the season 3-2 overall and 1-0 in SLC action heading into today's contest against Southeastern Louisiana at Bowers Stadium.
It was a little luck that landed Flanders on the door steps at Sam Houston State. The former standout from Midwest City, Okla., selected Kansas State as his destination out of high school after rushing for 2,134 yards and 34 touchdowns as a senior.
He was a redshirt for the Wildcats last season and felt that he needed a change of scenery. Sam Houston State offensive line coach Derek Warehime's father coached against Flanders in high school and is friends with Flanders' high school coach. That connection eventually brought Flanders to Huntsville.
"I liked K-State, I just didn't think it was the right fit," Flanders said. "I think about the decision I made all the time, and things just happen for a reason. I'm glad to be at Sam and I hope that I'm here for four years because we have a young team and that could lead to something special."
So far, Flanders has showed the ability to do it all. He has deceptive speed, which is highlighted by his incredible balance. He is able to stay on his feet when he is hit, which causes some defenders to give up on the play because it looks like he is going nowhere. Then, he breaks free and finds his way to the end zone, which has led to four touchdown runs of 25 yards or longer.
Flanders can also be the guy Sam Houston's young offense can lean on in close games. During last weekend's 26-7 victory at Nicholls, the Colonels defense kept Flanders bottled up for most of the contest.
With the game still in the balance, Flanders gained 59 of his 105 rushing yards on a pivotal drive to start the fourth quarter that helped the Bearkats take a 20-7 lead.
Sam Houston needs that type of performance against the Lions. Southeastern Louisiana brings the SLC's top rushing defense into today's game.
"The great thing about Tim is that he can make yards when we don't have it blocked. Some backs can't do that," Fritz said. "He is a real warrior-type guy as far as a ball carrier. He is competitive and a physical runner, but he does have enough speed where he can break the long one. He has incredible balance."
Tickets for the Sam Houston vs. Southeastern Louisiana homecoming football game are now ons sale online at www.gobearkats.com/tickets . Bearkat fans also may purchase tickets in advance at the SHSU athletic ticket office located in the Ron Mafrige Field House in the south end zone of Bowers Stadium.
Ticket office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The ticket office telephone is 936 294-1729.
Fans who have not yet purchased their "Battle of the Piney Woods" game at Reliant Stadium Saturday, October 23, will have an opportunity to do so at homecoming this Saturday.
Tickets will be on sale at the west side Bowers Stadium ticket office Saturday throughout the afternoon and until 30 minutes after the end of the game. Seats for the rivalry game between Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin in Houston are going fast. "Battle of the Piney Woods" tickets also are available for purchase online through Sunday, October 17.
