Offense-Defense Showdown Thursday
4/13/2011 9:17:00 AM | Football
The event marks the first time Sam Houston's spring football game will be held on a Thursday night instead of the traditional Saturday date.
And if that's not enough to make the 2011 Orange-White clash exciting, there's all kinds of extra events planned for the contest when the game brings spring drills to an end.
"This has been an exciting spring for the football team," Sam Houston head coach Willie Fritz said. "We feel like the program is heading in the right direction and we want the fans and students to get excited too. We're looking forward to making the Orange-White game an event for everyone."
A special system which allows the defense to score points for quarterback sacks, turnovers, tackles for losses, forcing the offense to punt and other stand-out defensive plays will be utilized. The scoring system will work as follows:
|
ORANGE-WHITE GAME SCORING SYSTEM |
|||
| Orange (Defense) | White (Offense) | ||
| Take-away | 4 points | Touchdown | 6 points |
| 3 & Out | 2 points | Field Goal | 3 points |
| QB Sack | 2 points | PAT | 1 point |
| FG Block | 2 points | Explosive run (+12) | 1 point |
| Tackle for loss | 1 point | Explosive pass (+16) | 1 point |
| PAT Block | 1 point | First Down | 1 point |
| Force Punt | 1 point | 4th Down Conversion | 1 point |
| 4th Down Stop | 1 point | ||
In the previous two Orange-White offense vs. defense showdowns, the two units have split. The offense won 54-35 in 2009 when quarterback Bryan Randolph threw for a spring game record of 418 yards passing.
Last year, the defense dominated, winning 42-27.
"With a few positions where we're a little thin, the offense versus defense concept just works better for us again this year," Fritz said. "The competition will be fun and it will give us an opportunity to have one more look at each of our players in a game situation."
Last spring was a getting-to-know period for the Sam Houston State football squad and new head coach Willie Fritz.
Spring practice was bland and quite a number of the guys taking reps did not factor into the 2010 season. This time around, things have been different.
The Bearkats returned 22 starters to spring workouts off a team that went 6-5 back in the fall, including a 4-3 Southland Conference mark. Sam Houston was within 11 points of possibly winning a league championship.
With all the experience back, the Kats were able to focus on certain areas this spring and fans will get a look at some of the progress during the annual Orange and White game at 7 p.m. today at Bowers Stadium.
"We still have a long ways to go as to where we want to be at in the passing game," Fritz said Wednesday. "Plus, a big goal for us defensively is to cut back on the passing yards we give up. We were stingy against the run, but did not do as good defensively against the pass.
"I have seen some good things, but it is going to need to continue this summer. The guys are going to have to do it on their own because we can't work with them after Thursday."
The Bearkats did not have an offensive identity heading into last season. Sam Houston evolved into a run-heavy scheme with the emergence of SLC newcomer of the year Tim Flanders at running back. The Kats even ran the wildkat formation with wide receiver Richard Sincere taking snaps under center.
It worked, but the goal this spring has been to add more explosive plays in the passing game.
"We have seen some explosiveness out of our wide receivers, but we need to see more," Fritz said. "We have a good start to build on in the fall."
There have been some players emerge this spring that could help the Bearkats come fall on both sides of the ball.
Redshirt freshman wide receiver SaQwan Edwards has caught several deep balls and backup running back Ridgeway Frank has flashed his speed on some long touchdown runs, just to name a few.
"SaQwan Edwards has done some good things at the wide receiver position," Fritz said. "Ryan Wilson and Ridgeway Frank played a little last season and both have the potential to be good backs in this conference. (Quarterback) Brian Bell has elevated his game with the experience he has had and J.D. Standley has looked good at tight end.
"Forbes Baggett, a local kid, we moved him from offensive line to defense and think he can help us. We really feel like our interior linemen have a chance to be really good players."
Orange-White night excitement starts at 5:30 p.m. with pregame tail-gate in the parking lot north of the Bowers Stadium scoreboard. Attractions include free food for students, the ROTC rock wall, 40-yard dash and punt, pass and kick competitions.
Sam Houston State fraternities and sororities are involved and prizes in the punt, pass and kick contests include a special sidelines pass at the season-opening game for 2011 in September.
Seating at the game will be limited to the west side (press box) stands. The Sam Houston band and cheerleading and dance groups present to add to the excitement.
Following the game, there were be a special on-field autograph session for youngsters with the Sam Houston football players.
Fans attending the game will have the opportunity to purchase their season tickets for 2011 Bearkat football. Fans also can order their season tickets online at www.gobearkats.com/tickets or at the Sam Houston 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.
