Kats open Southland play at Nicholls Saturday
10/9/2010 7:08:00 AM | Football
By Cody Stark Huntsville Item
Sam Houston State faces a stiff challenge today when the Bearkats (2-2) open Southland Conference action with a tough road contest against Nicholls (1-3).
It would be hard to find a Southland Conference coach who would not agree that it is awfully hard to knock off Nicholls at Guidry Stadium. For years, the Colonels have used a tricky triple-option attack and a physical defense to break a lot of hearts.
This is the moment both of these teams have been waiting for. All the sweat and effort put in from the beginning of spring practice through the end of preseason camp is to reach the goal of winning a conference championship.
After today, either Sam Houston or Nicholls, two teams currently rebuilding with new coaching staffs, will be one step closer to possibly making a run at a title.
"I told the guys that after this ballgame, everybody is either going to be tied for first or last in the conference," Bearkats head coach Willie Fritz said. "Obviously getting out of the box fast is going to be a good thing. The preseason is over with. We are into conference play and everyone should be amped up a bunch.
"I told them that each season you get 11 opportunities, we have had four and we have seven left. We want to win now, so we need to stay focused and take advantage of the opportunities we get."
This will not be the same Colonels team Sam Houston is used to seeing. New head coach Charlie Stubbs is trying to incorporate a spread system into an offense that has used the option in the past to get the ball to a variety of running backs in order to pound the ball on opposing defenses.
Nicholls still runs a variation of the option, but most of it is out of the shotgun. Quarterback LaQuintin Caston is close to matching his passing total from last season (779 yards). In four games in 2010, the sophomore has thrown for 599 yards and four touchdowns while rushing for 181 and one score.
The Colonels also have a talented young running back. Sophomore Jesse Turner is second in the conference in rushing behind Sam Houston's Tim Flanders with 408 yards and six touchdowns.
"It's been harder preparing for them because they like to run a lot of different formations," SHSU junior linebacker Will Henry said. "They do run the option a little, too, but it isn't the triple anymore, it is out of the gun. There are a lot of motions and shifts. It is hard, but we have been concentrating and focusing on getting the job done."
The Bearkats have won two straight with a pair of blowout victories over Gardner-Webb and Lamar after starting the season with a pair of poor performances at Baylor and Western Illinois.
In the 38-10 victory over the Cardinals in Beaumont last weekend, Sam Houston played its most complete game of the season.
Flanders rolled to 153 yards and three scores and freshman quarterback Brian Bell threw for 171 yards and a touchdown as the Kats racked up a season-high 446 yards of total offense.
Sam Houston's defense also held Lamar to minus-23 yards rushing, got pressure on the quarterback with three sacks and forced three turnovers.
The Bearkats also made a big play on special teams. Senior wide receiver Brandon Closner returned a punt 39 yards for a touchdown.
"Our offense and defense has really stepped up and it was huge for us to make plays on special teams," said Closner, who is second in the SLC in punt return and kickoff return yardage. "When we get a big return, it helps with field position. It helps the offense get better opportunities to score and that also helps the defense."
Probably the biggest reason the Bearkats have been able to string together a pair of wins has been taking care of the ball. Sam Houston has just one turnover in its two victories as opposed to three combined in the losses to Baylor and Western Illinois.
On the flip side, the Kats have five takeaways in the past two contests after getting just one during the two-game losing streak to start the season.
"As I have been saying for weeks, we are a young club and we have to mature quickly. We have to play as a disciplined club and we are getting a little closer to that with each week," Fritz added.
"The reason we are playing better right now is because we are playing more assignment-sound in all three phases and the kids are doing what they are coached.
"I believe we can play with a heck of lot more effort. I have been telling the guys that we need to take a step in that direction. That is an area we can really improve in."
Saturday's game will be broadcast live in Huntsville on KSAM 101.7 FM and on the internet at www.gobearkats.com .
Next week, Sam Houston returns home for its annual homecoming celebration as the Bearkats play host to Southeastern Louisiana at 2 p.m. in Bowers Stadium. Then, in two weeks, its the long awaited "Battle of the Piney Woods" matchup with Stephen F. Austin at Reliant Stadium in Houston, also a 2 p.m. encounter.
Tickets for both games now are on .sale online at www.gobearkats.com/tickets . Tickets also may be purchased 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 number is (936) 294-1729.
