Bearkats tackle FBS Lobos Today
9/24/2011 8:52:00 AM | Football
"Not only are we facing an FBS opponent this weekend but it's their homecoming game as well," Bearkats defensive end Andrew Weaver said following Wednesday's practice. "That's going to be a challenge but we have to go into the game this week with our mindset on winning."
Over the past week, Sam Houston has dealt with several distractions. After blasting past previously ranked Central Arkansas, the Bearkats found themselves ranked (No. 20) in the Sports Network FCS poll for the first time in four seasons.
Also, Sam Houston found out it will be without starting safety Mike Littleton after the Southland Conference doled out a one-game suspension on the junior defensive back for a late hit on Central Arkansas quarterback Nathan Dick during last week's game.
With plenty of attention off the field throughout the week, the Bearkats (1-0 in SLC, 2-0 overall) say that maintaining focus has not been an issue.
"Guys really haven't taken much notice to it, especially knowing that every week all we've got to do is focus on that game," Kats senior center Travis Watson said. "The season revolves around one week at a time. That's all we focus on. Everything else is just secondary."
New Mexico, which plays in the Mountain West Conference, is coming off a pair of lopsided losses to Arkansas (52-3) and Texas Tech (59-13) and is looking to get a little relief against the Bearkats today.
"They are a Division I FBS team and they play in a good conference. They've struggled a bit over the past few years, but there's a reason they're an FBS team," Watson said. "They've got talent and they've got depth. They play in a tough conference and they play good teams. They just haven't had much success lately. That's a perfect challenge for us, to go up there and show what we can do."
The Lobos (0-1 in MWC, 0-3 overall) haven't had much success this season on offense, scoring just two touchdowns, but look to break out with dual-threat quarterback Tarean Austin, who has thrown for 528 yards and a score and rushing for 126 yards, leading the way.
"The thing that makes them tough is that they do a nice job of throwing the ball deep," SHSU head coach Willie Fritz said. "We can't let people get behind us and give up a cheap, long touchdown. We've got to make them earn their yards.
"That's easier said than done because we like to pack the box with our defense and get a bunch of dudes up there and make you one-dimensional. We're going to do what we always do and mix zone and man and zone pressures and man pressures and keep them off-balanced. The big thing for us is make them earn their touchdowns and earn their points."
One of the keys for the Bearkat defense, which is ranked seventh in the FCS in total defense (243.5 yards allowed per game) and second in rushing defense (42.0 yards), will be making sure that Austin doesn't get outside the pocket where he can do some damage.
"He's a fast quarterback, so we really have to keep him contained. We really have to know our assignments," Weaver said. "The key is to keep him contained.We know on the front line, that it's on us. If we lose, it's on us. We know we have to dominate on both sides of the ball. We've got to know our opponent from head to toe."
Offensively, the Kats' game plan of establishing the running game and protecting the ball needs to be on point to get into a rhythm early against the Lobos.
"We run the ball, we try to limit any turnovers - we haven't had one so far. The running game also puts us in a position to air the ball out a little bit," Watson said. "The more we can open it up on the ground game, the more we can be explosive through the air.
"Playing a team like this, you can't make mistakes and you've got to control the ball, which is luckily what we've been doing lately. You've got to be smart and can't have penalties. I think the style of offense we run, keeping it on the ground as much as we can, is going to be to our benefit."
The game will be broadcast live in the Huntsville area on KSAM 101.7 FM and worldwide on the internet at www.gobearkats.com .
The Bearkats will return home next Saturday Oct. 1 to face another FBS opponent in UTSA which is fielding its inaugural football team.
Kickoff at Bowers Stadium next Saturday is 6 p.m. Tickets for all Sam Houston home games are available online now at www.gobearkats.com/tickets or at the SHSU athletic ticket office 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 in (936) 294-1729.
