Orange-White Spring Game 7 p.m. Friday
4/11/2014 8:29:00 AM | Football
Sam Houston caps four weeks of spring football practice with tonight's Orange-White game at Elliott T. Bowers Stadium at 7 p.m.
The Kats bring back 13 starters from the 2013 playoff team and the bar has been set higher this season.
“It's about getting back to where we're used to being as champions,” said defensive back Desmond Fite. “But we want to be the Southland Conference champions and win the national championship. Practice has been more of a teaching thing so far. Everybody's trying to learn new things. We slowed it down a little bit in the beginning but once everybody gets it, we'll be rolling.”
For the sixth year in a row, the spring game will feature a special point system used to determine the winner.
The Bearkat offense will be the white team, while the orange team plays defense.
All scoring plays will have their normal point value – touchdown six points, field goal three, two-point run-pass conversions and single-point PAT (point after touchdown) kicks. The offense also will be credited with two points for every first down.
The defense will receive four points each time it forces a change of possession, six points for a turnover and seven points for a defensive touchdown.
Sam Houston head coach K.C. Keeler said that with several players still recovering from late season injuries last fall, it was more difficult to divide the Kats into two teams.
“I like doing the point system because with every snap, there's a chance to get points,” Keeler said. “If it's a turnover, or if it's a stop on a third down, the defense is getting points.”
Since being hired in January, Keeler added offensive coordinator Phil Longo and co-defensive coordinator Brad Sherrod to the coaching staff.
The new offense is expected to feature a more extensive passing game which uses running backs and tight ends in every facet of the offense, from pass protection to the running and screen game.
Defensively, Sam Houston has holes to fill at linebacker after graduating seniors Eric Fiello, Jesse Beauchamp and Tanner Brock.
Without looking too far ahead, the Kats are measuring themselves against Eastern Washington in ESPN's new “FCS Kickoff,” the first college football game of the 2014 season.
The Eagles are expected to be one of the top-ranked FCS teams after losing to Towson in the playoff semifinal round last season.
Since losing its first four games of the 2011 season, Eastern Washington has gone 29-7.
“There's only one game on our schedule and that's against Eastern Washington,” Keeler said. “I know we're not even close to being where they are. So we need to finish this thing strong.”
There is also a host of social events surrounding the spring game.
The Bearkat Football Alumni barbeque for former Sam Houston football players and their families begins at 5 p.m., in the north end zone parking lot of the stadium.
Sam Houston students and fans can participate in “Bearkat Alley” tailgating in the Northeast lot. The university's Student Services is providing free food for students with valid BearkatOne identification cards on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Kids are included in the excitement as well with the “Bearkat Football Experience” at 6 p.m. Youngsters ages 5 through 13 can do drills with the Sam Houston football team on the Bowers turf.
Four Sam Houston students have the opportunity to win a grand prize of free textbooks for one semester in the Sam Houston Student Services field goal kicking contests at the breaks between quarters. These four students are randomly selected at the Orange-White game to participate.
At halftime, Sam Houston fraternity and sorority members compete in an obstacle relay race. The winning teams receive prizes from Barefoot Athletics and $300 from Student Services.
“It's going to be a terrific night for Bearkat football,” Keeler said. “We're inviting all football fans to come join in the fun and get their first peak at what the 2014 Bearkat team will look like.”
