Defensive line looks to be Bearkat strength
8/3/2014 6:51:00 AM | Football
Sam Houston State defensive tackle Sione Latu preys on offensive linemen. The feeling of putting his hand in the turf and knowing he's going to blow his opponent into the backfield drives him to succeed.
Latu hopes to get that feeling even more in 2014.
With an influx of talent added to the roster that will complement the returning starter, the Bearkats' defensive line will be among the team's deepest units this season. Defensive line coach Phil Pettite said he plans to play a rotation of eight defensive linemen, which will keep his players fresh late in games.
“It's a little pressure because everyone is expecting the d-line to set the tone,” Latu said. “We do have some pressure. But the best thing is we have a lot of experience coming back.”
Of the 23 returning defensive players, nine of them are defensive linemen. Included among that group is senior defensive tackle Gary Lorance, who tore his ACL in the Bearkats' season opener last season and was granted a medical redshirt.
It was the second time Lorance had suffered a torn ACL during his career.
“It was a tough battle back, I'll say that,” Lorance said. “I tore my other one in high school, so I had been through it all before. I knew what it was going to be like, but it's not a good time in your life to be dealing with knee issues.”
During his junior season in 2012, Lorance led Sam Houston with 13 tackles for loss and earned second-team All-Southland Conference honors for the second time of his career.
Along with Lorance, California transfer Jacobi Hunter, a Houston native and graduate of Cy Fallas High School, will also look to crack the Bearkats' defensive tackle rotation in 2014. During his freshman season with the Golden Bears, Hunter emerged as a starter late in the season and finished the year with 18 tackles in 12 games. At Sam Houston, Hunter has earned the nickname “Big Papi”.
“He kind of resembles the guy on the Red Sox,” Pettite said. “He's an unselfish kid. He's a player, there's no doubt about it. But we've got some other guys who are really good players as well. So I think they complement each other.”
Sophomore Steve York is the only returning defensive end with any starting experience. Sophomore Mouf Adebo saw significant time at defensive end last season.
Adebo finished last season with 36 tackles and led the Bearkats with 11 tackles for a loss.
No matter who the coaching staff tabs as the starters on the defensive line, Petitte said there will be a steady rotation of players throughout each game.
“When we have something on paper that says starter, those are the guys that line up for first down. Other than that, it doesn't matter,” Pettite said. “We want to be organized and have the right guys out there to start a game, but I don't have a depth chart. If you're a good football player, you're going to play.”
Sam Houston puts on full pads for the first time Sunday. Monday morning the Bearkats have their first of three game-condition scrimmages scheduled.
Ninety-five players are vying for spots on the 65-player traveling squad that will travel to Cheney, Washington, for the FCS Kickoff Classic August 23. The game, to be telecast nationally on ESPN, will be the opening contest for college football in 2014.
Sam Houston preseason camp continues through August 18.
Season tickets for SHSU's five home football games at Elliott T. Bowers Stadium plus the “Battle of the Piney Woods” with SFA at NRG Stadium Nov. 1 are on sale now online at www.gobearkats.com and at the SHSU ticket office.
A special "Season Ticket Holder Pick-Up Party" will be held at Bowers on Saturday August 9 from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Bearkat fans who already have ordered their season seats are invited to the event which will feature a complimentary breakfast in the Bearkat Lounge while watching the football team scrimmage.
Attendees may pick up their season tickets and their "Orange Out" t-shirt as well.
Reserved chair back season tickets are $250. The price includes midfield sideline tickets to the “Battle of the Piney Woods” at Reliant Stadium, one complimentary parking pass at Bowers Stadium, a $100 tax deductible donation to the Bearkat Champions Fund that helps support scholarships for student-athletes and a 2014 premium gift item.
