This Week In The Southland Conference
10/19/2011 8:46:00 AM | Football
Showdown In Lake Charles
Sam Houston State and McNeese State play Saturday in a battle of the Southland Conference's two ranked teams. The Bearkats, who are 6-0 overall and 3-0 in conference play, are ranked No. 7 in The Sports Network poll and No. 10 in the FCS Coaches poll. Despite losses in its last two games, McNeese is ranked No. 24 in the coaches poll. The Cowboys are 3-3 overall and 2-1 in conference action.
The teams meet in Lake Charles Saturday at 7 p.m. There are two other conference games Saturday, including Central Arkansas at Lamar on the Southland Conference Television Network at 3 p.m. and Stephen F. Austin at Nicholls State in Thibodaux at 5:30 p.m. Southeastern Louisiana plays host to Texas State in a non-conference game at 7 p.m.
Week Eight Matchups
Central Arkansas and Lamar will meet Saturday in Beaumont in the first meeting between the teams ... Stephen F. Austin visits Nicholls State Saturday trying to extend its win streak against the Colonels to five ... the Lumberjacks won 48-13 last year and have won 10 of the last 10 meetings ... SFA leads the series 20-7.
Sam Houston State visits McNeese State in the 33rd all-time meeting between the teams ... the Cowboys lead the series 24-7-1 and are 12-3 at home ... Sam Houston will be trying to snap the Cowboys' six game win streak in the series ... McNeese won 33-28 last year ... the Bearkats have not won since a 52-47 in 2004
Southeastern Louisiana plays host to Texas State Saturday in the 15th meeting between the schools ... the Lions trail in the series 12-2, but have won the last two meetings ... Southeastern needed overtime to win 51-50 in 2009 and won 49-24 last year.
Southland TV Will Televise Central Arkansas at Lamar
Central Arkansas will make its second consecutive appearance on the Southland Conference Television Network Saturday when it visits Lamar in the first ever meeting between the schools. The Bears will also be on the network Nov. 5 at Northwestern, giving them three appearances in a span of four games.
This is also the second appearance on the network this season for Lamar, which beat Southeastern Louisiana 48-38 on Oct. 1. Saturday's 3:05 p.m. kickoff will be televised by the Southland Conference Television Network. Coverage begins at 3 p.m., Central. Visit www.Southland.org/television for a list of affiliates. Randy McIlvoy and Shea Walker will call the action from the booth. The crew will be joined by Jane Slater on the sideline.
Week Seven Rewind
Sam Houston State cruised to a 47-7 victory over Nicholls State on homecoming to remain perfect in six games this season ... it marks the third time in the Bearkats' 97 seasons they have opened with six consecutive wins ... the win also was Sam Houston's eighth in a row dating back to last season, which is the longest streak in school history since 1964
Central Arkansas beat McNeese State 21-18 for the second consecutive win in the series, which is tied 3-3 ... the home team has won all six meetings ... the win was the third by UCA in the last four years
Northwestern State beat Southeastern Louisiana for its third win in its last four games, dropping only a 20-18 decision to McNeese State during that span ... Lamar lost to Texas State 46-21 in San Marcos.
Sam Houston State Ranked Seventh by The Sports Network
Sam Houston State has climbed another three spots and is ranked No. 7 in this week's Sports Network Top 25 poll. The Bearkats also are in the top 10 of the FCS Coaches poll and ranked 10th this week, up two spots from last week. The Bearkats are 6-0 overall and 3-0 in league play with wins over Central Arkansas, Stephen F. Austin and Nicholls State.
McNeese State, which has lost its last two games remains ranked in the coaches' poll and No. 24, but fell out of The Sports Network rankings. The Cowboys are 3-3 overall and 2-1 in league play. Central Arkansas is receiving votes in the coaches' poll and is joined by McNeese State and Northwestern State in the receiving votes column of The Sports Network poll.
Week Seven Conference Honors
After leading the Demons to a 51-17 victory over Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday, Northwestern State tailback D.J. Palmer and wide receiver Phillip Harvey were named the Southland Conference players of the week on offense and special teams, respectively. Palmer totaled 102 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries in the homecoming victory over the Lions to post his first 100-yard rushing game. He had an 82-yard touchdown run. Harvey returned the opening kick of the second half 99 yards for a score to give the Demons a 34-3 lead over Southeastern Louisiana. He added two other returns - each of 47 yards - to total 193 yards on three returns. He leads the Southland with his 27.8 kickoff return average. Central Arkansas linebacker Frank Newsome was named the conference defensive player of the week. He returned a fumble a school-record 98 yards for a touchdown. He also intercepted a pass in UCA territory and led all players with 11 tackles, including one for a 6-yard loss.
Other Notable Performances in Week Six
- Sam Houston State quarterback Brian Bell completed 14 of 20 passes for 128 yards and one touchdown in directing a Bearkat offense that dominated time of possession in a 47-7 victory over Nicholls State. Sam Houston converted 11 of 17 third-down opportunities totaled 361 yards to 181 by the Colonels.
- Southeastern Louisiana wide receiver Kory Theodore caught seven passes for 85 yards and a touchdown in the Lions 51-17 loss at Northwestern State. He increased his career reception total to 111, moving him past Andre Cryer into seventh place on the school's all-time list. Theodore ranks fifth in school history with 1,722 receiving yards and is 46 yards shy of passing Josh Taylor (1,767 yards from 2003-05) for fourth.
- Northwestern State safety Jamaal White came up with three turnovers and an on-side kick recovery in the team's win over Southeastern Louisiana. He forced a fumble on the game's first play that was returned for a 24-yard touchdown; recovered the subsequent on-side kick on the game's second play that led to a field goal. His first interception set up another field goal and a second interception launched a 76-yard drive for another score.
- Sam Houston State defensive back Robert Shaw returned an interception 61 yards for a first-quarter touchdown in the 47-7 victory over Nicholls State. The Bearkats forced five turnovers, including three that set up short scoring drives.
Southland in the NCAA Stats
- Sam Houston State ranks second nationally in rushing defense, allowing 59.8 rushing yards per game. Harvard is the national leader, allowing opponents an average of just 55.4 rushing yards per game. Northwestern State is second in the Southland and 16th nationally (103.7).
- Sam Houston State running back Tim Flanders ranks second in scoring, averaging 11.0 points per game. He has scored 11 touchdowns in six games.
- The Bearkats are third in scoring defense, limiting opponents to 14.2 points per game. Only North Dakota State (11.2) and Northern Iowa (13.8) are better.
- Northwestern State safety Jamaal White ranks third in the nation in interceptions with .67 picks per game. He has four interceptions in six games.
- Sam Houston State ranks third in turnover margin, benefiting from 2.33 per game. The Bearkats are +14 for the season. They have 18 takeaways, including 12 interceptions, this season and have given the ball up just four times. Northwestern State is ranked 15th with 1.14 per game. (+8).
- Sam Houston State is fourth in total defense, holding the opposition to just 286.0 yards per game. McNeese State is second in the league and 20th nationally, allowing only 317.0 yards per game.
- Sam Houston State ranks fifth in the nation in net punting, averaging a net of 39.13 yards per punt. On 31 punts this season, the Bearkats have allowed only two return yards.
- McNeese State is seventh nationally in punt returns, averaging 16.0 yards per return. They have seven returns for 112 yards.
- Stephen F. Austin and Southeastern Louisiana rank seventh and eighth, respectively, in passing offense. The Lumberjacks lead the conference with an average of 317.3 yards per game, while the Lions are averaging 299.3 passing yards per game. Central Arkansas is ranked 20th (271.6).
- Gralyn Crawford ranks seventh in all-purpose running, averaging 169.7 yards per game. He has 369 receiving yards, 79 yards on punt returns and another 570 on kick returns for a total of 1,018 all-purpose yards this season.
- Sam Houston State ranks eighth in the FCS in pass efficiency defense. Opposing teams have a rating of 101.30.
- The Bearkats have the ninth best rushing offense in the FCS, averaging 235.7 yards per game.
- Sam Houston State quarterback Brian Bell has the ninth best pass efficiency rating in the FCS at 162.91. Central Arkansas quarterback Nathan Dick is 15th with a rating of 157.73.
- Stephen F. Austin receiver Cordell Roberson ranks 10th nationally in receptions per game. He has made 42 catches for 480 yards and is averaging 7.0 catches per contest. Teammate, Gralyn Crawford, ranks 12th (9.0).
