Defense has strong scrimmage
8/20/2010 4:30:00 PM | Football
The Sam Houston State football team hit the field for its third scrimmage of the fall practice, and it was the defense that stepped up and made the big plays on Friday morning.
During the 80-play scrimmage that included some two-minute work as well as full offensive series, the defense limited the offense to just one touchdown by the first or second team offense. The Bearkat defense was causing pressure all day in the offensive backfield.
The highlight of the day was a field goal block by Robert Shaw which was picked up by Chuks Orabuchi and returned for a touchdown.
"This is as close as we can simulate to a real game," SHSU head coach Willie Fritz said. "The quarterbacks are not live, but this is pretty close. We are a pressure team and we were able to get to them. We did a good just of staying over the top and not getting beat in the secondary. If you are not protection sound, you are going to have a tough time against our defense."
The offense was in the red zone, just once, getting to the 12-yard line before settling for a Miguel Antonio 33-yard field goal. They were especially good early, holding the offense to a three- or four-and-out on the five of the first seven series.
"The defense did a real good job," Fritz said. "We really feel like we have a chance to be a really good defense. How we play defensively is going to depend on the defensive line. We have a lot of new guys. Those guys have to be a force for us and we are going to need that."
The offense managed to find the end zone twice late in the scrimmage. Freshman quarterback Brian Bell hit Trey Diller for a 29-yard score on a nice pass over the middle. Freshman transfer quarterback Tyrik Rollison connected with Diller on a 35-yard strike to cap and 88-yard drive.
The drive was highlighted by a pair of big runs from freshman Cameron Brown who had gains of 38 and 20 yards.
"I think we started playing better there at the end," Fritz said. "We just have to shore up our protection right now. They were getting into the backfield way too much today. We are getting some game experience. We have to pick it up and work on some things that are just the basics of football. We had too many pre-snap penalties and just have to play better assignment football."
The Kats will scrimmage again Thursday night at Bowers Stadium, getting going at 7 p.m.
Sam Houston opens the 2010 season Saturday, Sept. 4 against the Baylor Bears at Waco. The first home game will be Saturday, Sept. 25 when Gardner-Webb visits Bowers Stadium for Bearkat "Family Weekend."
The game Sept. 25 will feature a guest appearance by the Houston Texans Cheerleaders, a fireworks display and special halftime activities.
Other home games will be Oct. 16 (Homecoming) vs. Southeastern Louisiana, Nov. 6 vs. McNeese State and Nov. 20 vs. Texas State. The final three home games will kickoff at 2 p.m.
Season tickets for Bearkat football at Bowers Stadium are available through the new exciting "2-2-2" offer, order your tickets now by going to the Bearkat tickets page on www.gobearkats.com or call (936) 294-1729.
The "2-2-2" offer also includes two corner tickets to the "Battle of the Piney Woods" game with Stephen F. Austin at Reliant Stadium in Houston on October 23.
Fans also may visit the Sam Houston athletic ticket office located in the Ron Mafrige Field House located in the south end zone of Bowers Stadium. Ticket office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
