Kats rank in top 25 in 16 FCS stat categories
12/10/2013 8:41:00 AM | Football
Paced by outstanding performances by the Bearkat special teams, the 2013 Sam Houston football team finished the season ranked among the top 25 in the FCS national statistics in 16 categories.
Special teams performances included No. 1 national rankings in both fewest blocked kicks allowed and fewest blocked punts allowed (0), No. 5 in punt returns (15.24 average), No. 7 in net punting (38.90 yards), No. 8 in kick blocks (6) and No. 18 in punt return defense (4.85 yards allowed per game).
Sam Houston's offense ranked No. 5 in scoring nationally with 41.10 points per game. The offense also produced national statistics marks of No. 6 in rushing offense (265.0 yards per contest) and first downs (313), No. 8 in yards per completion (450.6 yards per game), No. 17in total offense (450.6 yards per game) and No. 19 in pass efficiency (145.38).
The Bearkat offensive line helped Sam Houston stand No. 13 in FCS in fewest sacks allowed (0.93 per game) and fewest tackles for losses allowed (5.0 per game).
The Bearkat defense ranked No. 22 in FCS in fumble recoveries.
Sam Houston's Torrance Williams led the Southland Conference and ranked No. 2 in FCS punt returns with a 16.0 average this year. Williams also ranked No. 9 in receiving touchdowns (12).
Quarterback Brian Bell stood No. 6 in FCS yards per completion (14.56), No. 8 in points responsible for (17.7 per game) and No. 11 in passing efficiency (151.7).
Running back Timothy Flanders was No. 20 in rushing yards per game (102.1).
Sam Houston rolled up a 9-5 record in 2013, only the 10th time in 97 years of Bearkat football that an SHSU squad has compiled nine or more victories.
For the third season in a row, Sam Houston State earned a berth in the NCAA Division I Football Championships.
The Bearkats defeated Southern Utah 51-20 in the opening round in Huntsville then fell 30-29 to No. 4 seed Southeastern Louisiana in the second round in Hammond, La.
Sam Houston has won seven of its 10 FCS playoff games the past three years and holds a10-7 overall record in the championships. The 10 playoff victories stand as the second highest total by any Southland Conference team.
