Showdown in Natchitoches Saturday
10/18/2014 6:05:00 AM | Football
Two 3-3 teams with plenty of momentum after home victories last weekend face off Saturday at 3 p.m. when Northwestern State plays host to Sam Houston State in an important Southland Conference matchup.
Sam Houston enters the contest 2-0 in league action after a 38-22 victory over No. 4 McNeese State at Bowers Stadium last Saturday. Northwestern State stands 1-1 in league play. The Demons got back on the winning track with a 49-12 victory over Incarnate Word in Northwestern State's first home game in 42 days.
“Northwestern State is a really talented team,” SHSU head coach K. C. Keeler said. “They can run. It really shows up when you watch the video. They have an outstanding quarterback and excellent wide receivers. Defensively, the give you a lot of looks and lot's to worry about. They are a very physical team up front. This is going to be a big challenge for us.”
Sam Houston is back in the FCS polls, standing No. 24 in The Sports Network voting after the win over the Cowboys.
“That was a huge emotional win for our team,” Keeler said. “Now we face another good team that plays very well at home. We're going to find out how much our young team has matured going into a tough environment at Natchitoches. This is a big game.”
Northwestern State's only loss in league action is to defending Southland Southeastern Louisiana on the road. Head coach Jay Thomas knows this is must win game for his Demons.
“It's great to have another home game,” Thomas said. “We know that Sam Houston is playing at a high level right now. Beating McNeese is really big. The Bearkats will be a tall challenge for our defense. Their quarterback had a tremendous game last week. And they don't have many weaknesses defensively either.”
Sam Houston sophomore quarterback Jared Johnson earned the both league and national offensive player of the week honors last week. He accounted for 382 yards of total offense, including 190 rushing yards with touchdown runs of 73 and 67 yards in the win against McNeese.
“The two open dates helped Jared a bunch,” Keeler said. “He has a great work ethic and has been improving his foot work. The break also gave him time to get healthy again.”
Johnson, who ranks seventh in the conference with 62.5 rushing yards per game, has thrown for 1,273 and eight touchdowns and five interceptions on 117 of 213 passing. Freshman receiver Yedidiah Louis leads the Bearkats with 56.2 yards per game and one score.
Defensively, Sam Houston is led by freshman defensive end P.J. Hall, who was recently named to the Jerry Rice Award Watch List for the most outstanding first-year player in FCS. Hall, a two-time defensive player of the week in the Southland, has 37 total tackles on the season and paces the Bearkats with nine tackles for a loss. He ranks as the top freshman in the nation in tackles for losses.
“P. J. is an incredible football player,” Keeler said. “Now, with his cast off, we can use home all over the place. He is a beast.”
Northwestern State has won three of its last four games. The Demons look to senior quarterback Zach Adkins to guide their potent offense. Adkins has completed 129 of 193 passes for 1,241 and 11 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
Junior Ed Eagan leads the Demon receiving corps with 32 catches for 386 yards and three scores. Senior running back Garrett Atzenweiler helps keep opposing defenses honest by averaging 70.3 yards per game with five rushing touchdowns. Defensively, the Northwestern State secondary has recorded nine interceptions led by senior Imoan Claiborne and sophomore Adam Jones, both of whom top the conference with three interceptions.
“How we react to this game this week will show a lot about our maturity,” Keeler said.
Northwestern State holds a 19-17 advantage in the all-time series. However, the Bearkats have won the last three meetings, including a 44-10 win last season in Huntsville.
The game will be televised by the Southland TV Network. The local affiliate for the Greater Houston area is KUBE Channel 57. The game also can be seen on ESPN3.
KSAM 101.7 FM will broadcast the game in the Walker Country area.
Following the contest with the Demons, Sam Houston returns home next Saturday, October 25, to play host to Abilene Christian at a 3 p.m. contest at Elliott T. Bowers Stadium.
