Defense dominated No. 4 Cowboys In Big Win
10/12/2014 7:22:00 AM | Football
With an open date before Sam Houston's Southland Conference opener at Lamar September 27, Bearkat head coach K. C. Keeler proclaimed that practice be called “Get Better Week.”
The Kats responded with a 42-10 victory at Beaumont. The win was followed by a second open date.
Based on Saturday's performance in a 38-22 upset of FCS No. 4 McNeese State at homecoming, the workouts have to be called “Get Even Better Week.”
Sam Houston's defense put on a clinic on toughness and tenacity for the Cowboys.
McNeese entered the game leading the Southland Conference in scoring offense (44.5 points per game) and rushing offense (277.5 yards per contest) and stood second in the league in total offense (475.0 yards per game).
Sam Houston limited the Cowboys to 298 total yards. McNeese passed for only 89 yards and gained just 209 on the ground.
Redshirt freshman P. J. Hall led the Kats with 11 tackles including three for losses. The defensive lineman said the work during the two open weeks has helped tremendously.
“The coaches have narrowed everything down,” Hall said. “Simplifying has helped a lot. We don't have to think as much and have fewer mental busts on the field. That's what leads to big plays. We've eliminated that. We're just running to the ball.”
Hall was named as one of 20 nominees for the Jerry Rice Award presented by The Sports Network to the top freshman in FCS football. The defensive end earned Southland Conference “Defensive Player of the Week” honors two weeks ago after the Bearkat victory in Beaumont.
Other top performers for the Kat defense including safety Michael Wade and linebacker Eric Agbaroji. Wade totaled nine tackles including one for a two-yard loss. Agbaroji posted nine stops.
“With only one senior on the defense, we realized that we need to make things less complicated for the defense,” Keeler said. “Now they're just running to the ball and making things happen.”
Sam Houston allowed McNeese only one score through the first three quarters as the Bearkats built a 35-7 lead going into the final period. The Cowboys accounted for only 140 yards rushing and 48 yards in the air during the first three periods.
McNeese was forced to punt on nine of their first 11 possessions. The Kats also stopped the Cowboys on a fourth down attempt in the third period.
Sam Houston State will take on Northwestern State in Natchitoches, La., next Saturday.
