Kat special teams something special
10/17/2010 7:00:00 AM | Football
By Gene Schallenberg Huntsville Item
Plenty of praise goes around for the offense for putting up lots of points and the defense for making stops and creating turnovers.
While Sam Houston had another impressive performance on both sides of the ball Saturday against Southeastern Louisiana, the Bearkats' special-teams unit is continuing to make big plays and has played a large role in the Kats' current four-game winning streak.
"We work on (special teams) like crazy," SHSU head coach Willie Fritz said. "We spend a lot of time on the kicking game. We meet on it a bunch and I have a lot of coaches involved in it. We play our good athletes in the kicking game. Those plays have more influence than offense and defense sometimes."
For the second game in a row, the Bearkats not only blocked a punt but were able to recover the ball and run it in for a touchdown.
After coming awfully close to blocking punts by Southeastern's Beau Mothe on two previous attempts, the Bearkats finally got their hands on the ball midway through the first quarter. Senior Vincent Dotson broke through the line and blocked Mothe's punt. Sophomore Robert Shaw scooped up the ball and returned it for a 24-yard touchdown.
"With the special teams, everybody plays their part," said Dotson, who blocked two punts and returned one for a score against Central Arkansas last season.
"One thing that coaches emphasize in practice is that everybody does their jobs and hit their gaps and then we're going to block one regardless. We put so much time and work into it that it becomes second nature when it becomes gametime."
The Bearkats' touchdown from the special teams doubled their lead from seven to 14 points and just like that, Sam Houston seized all of the game's momentum. It was over after that as the Kats rolled to their largest conference victory since 1999.
Just like their win against Nicholls last week where Shaw's blocked punt and touchdown return pushed the Bearkats ahead for good and Brandon Closner's 39-yard punt return for a score gave Sam Houston a lead it never relinquished against Lamar on Oct. 2, the Kats' special teams play on Saturday set the tone early on.
"It gave the team so much momentum," Dotson said. "It helped the offense out. It caused a spark and it caused the sideline to be so enthusiastic that it carries over to the other phases of the game."
With the ability to make plays and score points, the effort from special teams helps to take the pressure off of the offense.
"If we can come out and make big plays, it takes so much pressure off the other phases of the game, especially if we go out there and put points up on the board," Dotson said. "It gives them rest. It gives them momentum and encouragement. Overall, it helps the whole team."
Not only are the Bearkats getting strong performances on the defensive aspect of special teams, but also on the kicking side as well.
In Saturday's game, Sam Houston sophomore Matt Foster punted seven times with five coming to rest inside the 20-yard line, including three that fell within the 5 to pin the Lions against their own goal line.
"That creates so much hidden yardage that gives our team some good field position and a better chance to score points," Dotson said. "Guys just hustle down there and go beyond what they're required to do. They want to see our team do great. That's just 100 percent effort right there."
It's no coincidence that in both of Sam Houston's conference games, special teams have made a big impact and the Kats were able to come away with convincing victories.
With a meeting against archrival Stephen F. Austin, which is the only other unbeaten team in Southland Conference play, on the horizon, more big contributions from the special teams unit may not to be too rare of a sight.
Battle of the Piney Woods tickets are now on sale through the university's athletic websites at www.gobearkats.com. Fans also can purchase tickets at the Sam Houston athletic ticket office located in the Ron Mafrige Field House in the south end zone at Bowers Stadium or by calling ticket office at (936) 294-1729.
Ticket prices range from $15 to $35. Sam Houston State season ticket holders will have premium ticket locations included in their packages. Only lower bowl seating will be open at Reliant Stadium for the "Battle of the Piney Woods." Sam Houston fans will be seated on the west side of the stadium while the SFA section will be on the east side.
