Heading to San Antonio with playoff mentality
11/7/2014 8:47:00 AM | Football
Tied for first place with three games to go in the season, Sam Houston head coach K. C. Keeler sees his Bearkat football team approaching Saturday's game at University of the Incarnate Word with a playoff mentality.
“Everyone knows we control our own destiny,” Keeler said. “We take care of our business and win these final three games, the worst we can be is conference co-champions. That's very exciting, especially when you look back at where we came from.”
Sam Houston opened the 2014 season with a 1-3 non-conference record that included losses to FCS No. 2 Eastern Washington and FBS top 10 LSU on the road. The Bearkats have bounced back to build a 4-1 record in Southland play and stand tied for first place with defending champion Southeastern Louisiana and McNeese State.
“We've really grown a lot as a team,” Keeler said. “That stretch back at the start of October when we had only two games in a four-week period was really key for us. It gave us the opportunity to get back on track.”
In their five Southland Conference games this year, the Bearkats have out-scored their opponents 187-112 while rolling up 459.4 yards per game offensively. The Kat defense has produced six interceptions and seven fumble recoveries to win the turnover battle and keep foes out of the end zone.
“The defense is playing well and our offense gets better and better as Jared Johnson continues to grow in the quarterback position,” Keeler said.
Sam Houston takes on Incarnate Word at 6 p.m. Saturday at Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium in San Antonio. Next Saturday the Kats travel to Houston to face Houston Baptist. Then they return home for their final regular season game of the year with Central Arkansas on Saturday Nov. 22 at 3 p.m. at Bowers Stadium.
Other big games that will affect the Southland standings include a showdown this weekend between McNeese State and Stephen F. Austin in Lake Charles, La., this Saturday and the Cowboys' duel with Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday, Nov. 15.
Individually in Southland play, running back Keshawn Hill has rushed for 430 yards and 11 touchdown. Johnson has accounted for 279.2 yards per game total offense with 549 yards on the ground and 847 in the air. Johnson has run for three scores and thrown for four in league action.
Saturday's game will be broadcast live on KSAM 101.7 FM in the Walker County area and worldwide on the internet at www.gobearkats.com.
