Kats prepare for Lamar after 'Get Better' Week
9/22/2014 9:00:00 PM | Football
According to Sam Houston head coach K. C. Keeler, the Bearkats did not have a “bye week” last Saturday when there was no football game on the schedule.
“We had a 'get better' week,” Keeler said. “After the loss to Colorado State-Pueblo, we had a really intense week of practice. The player embraced it. We had some very physical practices and I think we're ready for a good game week.”
Sam Houston returns to action Saturday with a 7 p.m. contest with Lamar University at Provost Umphrey Stadium in Beaumont. The game is the Southland Conference opener for both teams.
“This is a huge game for us,” Keeler said. “Lamar is 3-1 with their only loss to Texas A&M. Playing the conference opener on the road we need an outstanding effort.”
The Cardinals lead the Southland in scoring offense (43.2 points per game) and total offense (497.5 yards per contest). Lamar owns victories of 42-27 over Grambling, 73-0 against Texas College and 55-10 versus Mississippi College.
“We've looked at the video from last year's game with Lamar,” Keeler said. “We won 14-3, but Lamar moved the ball up and down the field. They just couldn't get it into the end zone. Most of their guys are back so this should be a heck of a football game.”
Starting a lineup with only one senior on offense and one on defense, the Bearkats have been up and down during the this season. Sam Houston trailed then No. 1 ranked Eastern Washington by only seven points with five minutes to play and beat an Alabama State team that owns a win over the No. 11 FCS team in the country.
“I really like our team,” Keeler said. “We're a little bit on the young side, but we have the talent level. We just need to get everyone going in the same direction.”
Sam Houston and Lamar are meeting for the 36th time since the two first played in 1935. The Kats hold a 25-9-1 series advantage. Since Lamar brought football back in 2010 after not playing the sport for 20 years, the Bearkats have won all four meetings.
Following the Lamar game Saturday, next action for Sam Houston State will be the annual homecoming game against McNeese State on October 11 at 3 p.m. The Cowboys currently stand No. 4 in the FCS national rankings.
