Kats know they face tough test at Lamar Saturday
10/2/2010 8:30:00 AM | Football
By Cody Stark The Huntsville Item
The Bearkats had a little extra swagger in their step this week.
After opening the season with a pair of blowout losses, when very little seemed to go right, Sam Houston State showed signs of a young program beginning to find its footing in a 30-14 win over Gardner-Webb last weekend.
The offense made some explosive plays. The defense turned in one of its best performances in two years under coordinator Scott Stoker. The athletic department put on a show for the Bearkat fans, which featured a spectacular fireworks show at the conclusion of the game.
The entire event was easily one of the most exciting home openers in Sam Houston State's history.
But as head coach Willie Fritz is quick to point out, the Bearkats still have plenty of work to do to get to where they need to be. Last weekend is over, and as good as it was, Sam Houston State (1-2) has a tough showdown on its hands when the Kats head to Beaumont to face the Lamar Cardinals today at 6 p.m.
"We took a step forward last week, and we were excited about getting the win," Fritz said. "The one thing I hope the guys realize is that we have a long way to go. I really thought we came within a few plays of blowing that game out. We have a long way to go, but I certainly like learning lessons after a win rather than a loss."
Lamar (2-2) is a start-up program this season after a 21-year absence from football. The Cardinals don't look like it, though.
Head coach Ray Woodard and his staff have been together for a couple of years and have put together a solid collection of talent with a mix of transfers and freshmen.
The Cardinals almost pulled off a huge upset in their season opener, falling 30-27 to McNeese State in Lake Charles, La. Lamar topped Webber International in its first home game at Provost Umphrey Stadium and rallied to knock off Southeastern Louisiana 29-28 on the road.
The only real blemish the Cardinals have is a 71-3 loss at defending Southland Conference champion Stephen F. Austin last week.
"They actually have more upperclassmen than we have, especially the starters," Fritz said. "They also brought in some good high school players. Their plan was to win this season, and they have done very good at it. No one at this point probably would have thought they would have beaten Southeastern Louisiana at Southeastern Louisiana, played within three points with McNeese at McNeese, so they have done a good job.
"Normally when you face a new team you think you are going up against a lot of rookies, but they got a lot of kids with college experience."
Lamar is playing like an experienced group right now, so Sam Houston needs to continue moving forward to have a shot at winning today.
Through the first two games, the Bearkats struggled on offense and didn't find the end zone until freshman running back Tim Flanders broke two 30-plus yard scoring runs in a 56-14 loss at Western Illinois on Sept. 18.
Flanders has been a pleasant find for Sam Houston. The transfer from Kansas State has rushed for 300 yards and three touchdowns, including a long of 54 against Gardner-Webb, in three games.
The Bearkats passing game, which was almost nonexistent in losses to Baylor and Western Illinois, also emerged as a threat against Gardner-Webb. True freshman quarterback Brian Bell threw for 168 yards, with a 60-yard touchdown pass to Richard Sincere and another to Kevin Matthews for 30, in the win over the Bulldogs.
"Finally the offense is starting to understand and buy into what we are doing," SHSU guard Cameron Pound said. "It's beginning to work out for us, and we are getting some explosive plays. It's important that we get off to a good start against Lamar because they have a good offense and we need to keep our defense off the field."
Defensively, Lamar has had its struggles, but the Cardinals, with the exception of the loss to SFA, haven't had any trouble moving the ball under offensive coordinator Todd Whitten, Sam Houston's former head coach.
Navarro College quarterback transfer Andre Bevil has thrown for 1,193 yards with 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He does a good job of spreading the ball around to some talented receivers. J.J. Hayes, Marcus Jackson, Josh Powdrill and Kendri Prejean have combined for 65 catches for 1,047 yards and nine touchdowns. All four have more than 200 yards receiving on the season.
The Bearkats need to get the kind of pressure they got against Gardner-Webb. Sam Houston recorded five sacks and broke up seven passes and had an interception in the victory.
Facing their former coach can be looked at two ways for the Bearkats. Whitten knows what Sam Houston likes to do on defense, and the Kats are familiar with what he likes to do on offense.
"Coach Whitten, well everybody by now knows that we are going to be blitzing," Kats safety Darnell Taylor said. "We have to do what we do and bring pressure. We just have to make sure that we contain their quarterback and get pressure on him. We have to lock down on the receivers and not let them get loose to make plays."
Saturday's 6 p.m. game with Lamar will be broadcast live on KSAM 101.7 FM in Huntsville and worldwide on the internet on www.gobearkats.com . Following the trip to Beaumont, Sam Houston will play at Nicholls on Saturday Oct. 9.
The next home game for Sam Houston State will be Saturday October 16 with the Bearkat Homecoming game with Southeastern Louisiana.
Tickets for Homecoming, the "Bearkats for the Cause" Pink Out game with McNeese Saturday November 5 and the regular season finale with Texas State November 19 are onsale now online at www.gobearkats.com/tickets or at the SHSU athletic ticket office located in the Ron Mafrige Field House at Bowers Stadium. Ticket office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The ticket office telephone is 936 294-1729.
