Bearkats Sweep Player of Week Honors
10/10/2011 9:52:00 AM | Football
Receiver Richard Sincere was named the offensive player of the week, while linebacker Darius Taylor earned the defensive honor and Matt Foster claimed the special teams honor.
Sincere accounted for 147 yards of offense against the Lumberjacks, totaling 111 rushing yards and 36 passing yards. The sophomore from Galveston, Texas (Ball H.S.), averaged 10.1 yards per carry and ran for touchdowns of 4 and 9 yards. He set up his second score on a 51-yard run in the fourth quarter.
Running the "Wild Bearkat" formation, Sincere helped Sam Houston roll up 431 yards of total offense an remain one of three unbeaten teams in the Football Championship Subdivision. The 5-0 start is the school's best start since 1994 and only the fifth time in the school's 97 football seasons that it is undefeated through its first five games.
Taylor was responsible for two of Sam Houston State's four interceptions in the Bearkats' win over the two-time defending Southland Conference champions. The junior from Mesquite, Texas (Mesquite H.S.) reeled two opponent passes for 39 yards.
His first interception set up a field goal that put Sam Houston up 10-3 at halftime. He returned his second interception 31 yards to the SFA 8 to set up a Tim Flanders touchdown run to give Bearkats a 31-3 lead and close door on the Lumberjacks.
Combined with his brother Darnell's honor after the Sam Houston victory over Central Arkansas, Darius and Darnell lay claim to being the first set of twins to earn Southland "Player of the Week" honors in the same season.
Foster continued his outstanding season, helping Sam Houston win the field position battle with the Lumberjacks with five punts for a 46.0-yard average, including a long of 56 yards and two punts inside the 20.
For the year, the junior from Melbourne, Australia, is averaging 42.8 yards per punt with a long of 62 yards. Foster, who has nine punts of 50 or more yards, has landed 12 inside the 20, with two touchbacks and four that have been fair caught.
Sam Houston looks to keep momentum going this week as the Bearkats play host to the Nicholls Colonels for SHSU homecoming at 2 p.m. at Bowers Stadium Saturday.
Tickets for the game are available online now at www.gobearkats.com/tickets or at the Bearkat athletic ticket office in the Ron Mafrige Field House. Ticket office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The ticket office telephone is (936) 294-1729.
