Saturday's opponent an unknown for Kats
8/30/2013 9:26:00 AM | Football
Parking & Ticket Information for Saturday
Sam Houston State faces an opponent this weekend the Bearkats know almost nothing about.
That's because Houston Baptist University is played its inaugural game as an NCAA football program.
On Nov. 21, 2011, when HBU accepted an invitation to join the Southland Conference, the university also announced it would be adding a football program to begin competing in the league in 2014.
The 2013 season will be a developmental year for HBU, with the Huskies playing an abbreviated, seven-game schedule with no conference affiliation. Since HBU will not be joining the Southland Conference until next season, Saturday's contest will not count toward league standings.
“We've looked at what their head coach and coordinators have run at their previous schools, but there's not a whole lot we know about them,” SHSU head coach Willie Fritz said. “We're going to go with a pretty generic package and adjust to things as we go along. They aren't just a team of freshmen. They have several transfers from junior colleges and other programs. It's exciting to have the opportunity to start a new rivalry with a program just an hour away.”
Obviously, with a first-year program, the Huskies (0-0) have yet to establish an identity.
The HBU coaching staff believes fans should keep an eye on sophomore quarterback Jonathan Fleming, freshman quarterback Ka'Darius Baker, wide receiver Darian Lazard, a junior transfer from the University of Houston, freshman running back Craig Bell II and freshman wide receiver Terrance Hawkins on offense.
On defense, HBU will be led by freshman linebacker Garrett Dolan, freshman safety Cody Moncure and freshman defensive back Ja'Halen Norris.
HBU will have an off week before hitting the road again to face Wayland Baptist Saturday, Sept. 14 at 6 p.m. in Plainview, Texas. The Huskies host Oklahoma Baptist in their home opener on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. at Strake Jesuit College Preparatory's Crusader Stadium.
Sam Houston State will face Cotton Bowl Champion Texas A&M Saturday, Sept. 7 in College Station, Texas in the Bearkats' next outing.
HBU and Sam Houston State are tentatively slated to officially begin their Southland Conference rivalry Nov. 15, 2014 in Houston.
Season tickets and individual game seats for all seven home games at Bowers Stadium plus the 88th “Battle of the Piney Woods” with SFA at Reliant Stadium Nov. 2 remain on sale online at www.gobearkats.com.
Tickets also may be purchased at the SHSU athletic ticket office located in the Ron Mafrige Field House in the south end zone of Bowers Stadium. Ticket office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The ticket office telephone is (936) 294-1729.
Saturday, the ticket office on the west (press box) side of Bowers Stadium will open at 2 p.m. The west and north VIP parking lots also will open at 2 p.m.
The “Bearkat Alley” tailgate will begin at 4 p.m. Other tailgating areas include lots P-5 and P-7 west of “Bearkat Alley.”
Students and faculty/staff may present their BearkatOne Cards for admission at the northeast gate of Bowers Stadium (underneath the scoreboard).
Gates will open at 4:30 p.m. The “Bearkat Alley” tailgate will close at 5:30 p.m.
The Sam Houston-HBU game will be broadcast live on KSAM 101.7 FM in the Walker County area and on the internet at www.gobearkats.com .
