Orange-White game pits offense vs defense
4/9/2014 8:56:00 AM | Football
For the sixth year in a row, the annual Sam Houston football spring game will pit the offense against the defense with a special point system used to determine the winner.
The Bearkat offense will be the white team.
All scoring plays will have their normal point value – touchdown six points, field goal three, run/pass conversions two and PAT kicks one. The offense also will be credited with two points for every first down.
The SHSU defense will be the orange team.
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.
“It's a matter of numbers,” SHSU head coach K. C. Keeler said. “With several players still working to come back from late season injuries last fall, it would be hard to divide into two teams. This system gives both the offense and the defense an opportunity to score points. It's going to be fun.”
The football team completes four weeks of spring drills Wednesday with a final practice before the Orange-White game Friday. Keeler is pleased with what he and his staff have seen.
“We're happy with how the kids are competing and how they are buying in to what we're trying to do,” Keeler said. “We told the players we've really made tremendous progress since day one. But we're a long way from being ready to compete with an outstanding team like Eastern Washington. There still is a lot of work ahead.”
Even with 13 starters returning from the 2013 playoff team, Sam Houston has new faces across the board, from players to the coaching staff.
So far, the offense is making the biggest adjustment. Sam Houston is expected to throw the ball more with offensive coordinator Phil Longo calling the plays. That requires an adjustment for the quarterbacks and run-blocking focused wide receivers, who will see more passes come their way in 2014.
“It's like any new thing that comes to you, it's going to be difficult,” wide receiver Stephen Williams said of learning the new offense and practice regimen. “But I think we've embraced it and started to get on a roll, especially with what they're expecting of us. We still have a long way to go but we're putting in the work.
“We're still expected to block and do just as well as before, if not better. But opportunities have opened for catching the ball. Any receiver is going to smile at that so we're all happy with the new opportunity.”
Several exciting events surround Friday's annual spring game at Elliott T. Bowers Stadium.
The fun begins with the Bearkat Football Alumni barbeque at 5 p.m. in the north end zone parking lot at Bowers. Former SHSU football players and their families are invited to the tail gate event which will feature Texas-style barbeque.
Sam Houston students and fans can participate in “Bearkat Alley” tailgating in the Northeast Lot at Bowers. SHSU Student Services will provide free food for students with valid Bearkat OneCards while supplies last.
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.
The Orange-White game kicks off at 7 p.m. More than 50 lettermen return from last year's team that participated in the FCS playoffs for the third year in a row. With 12 starters returning, there are plenty of new faces in the Bearkat line-up.
Four Sam Houston students will have the opportunity to win a grand prize of free textbooks for one semester in the SHSU Student Services field goal kicking contests at the breaks between quarters. These four students will be randomly selected at the Orange-White game to participate.
At halftime, Sam Houston fraternity and sorority members will compete in a uniform / obstacle relay race. The winning teams will 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.”
Sam Houston State begins its 2014 season with the ESPN College Kickoff August 23 versus Eastern Washington in Cheney in a nationally televised football game.
The Bearkats will play five home games at Bowers Stadium in Huntsville and the “Battle of the Piney Woods” classic at Reliant Stadium in Houston.
Season football team information is available online at www.gobearkats.com or by calling the Sam Houston athletic ticket office at (936) 294-1729.
