McNeese vs. Bearkats Today at 6 p.m.
11/7/2015 7:51:00 AM | Football
Saturday's Southland Conference showdown between unbeaten league leader McNeese State and second place Sam Houston is a classic case of the irresistible force running into the unmovable object.
At kickoff at 6 p.m. in Lake Charles, La., Sam Houston brings the Southland's top ranked offense into Cowboy Stadium to face the league's top ranked defense of McNeese State.
When two physical teams like Sam Houston State and McNeese State go head to head on Saturday, controlling the line of scrimmage will likely be the difference.
The Bearkats come into the contest averaging 259.6 yards rushing per game, second-best in the Southland Conference, while McNeese State has the top-ranked rushing defense in the conference, allowing just 67.6 yards per game. Something has to give.
“Every week, we're told that the game starts with us, the O-line and D-line,” Sam Houston offensive tackle Donald Jackson III said. “Whoever wins the trenches typically wins the game, aside from turnovers. I think that will be the biggest factor, if we can get the push off the line and keep them off of the quarterback.”
The Cowboys' defense is also the most adept in the Southland at getting to the quarterback, leading the conference with 25 sacks, five more than the next-best team.
Jackson and the Bearkats' offensive line will be seeking to keep quarterback Jared Johnson upright on Saturday.
The senior believes the O-line has played the best it has all year in the past four games.
“McNeese has a different kind of blitz because they run a bear front,” Jackson said. “Everybody covers their man up and they bring pressure off of the back side of it.”
The matchup will be equally interesting when the Bearkats' defense steps onto the field, as Sam Houston is giving up just 86.3 yards per game on the ground in its last four games, while McNeese State is averaging 213.5 rushing yards per game.
The Bearkats face a unique challenge in stopping Cowboys quarterback Daniel Sams, an electrifying runner who can change the complexion of the game in a single play with his legs. Sam Houston has faced quarterbacks who can scramble this season, but Sams is the best they will see.
The Bearkats are familiar with Sams' ability as a runner, as he racked up 130 yards rushing against in last season's game and scored on a 29-yard scamper.
“We need to make sure we contain him on the rush and on the pass because he likes to scramble outside and get up the pocket,” Sam Houston State defensive end P.J. Hall said. “If we contain him, we'll be fine.”
On the season, Sams is completing 52 percent of his passes and has thrown just eight touchdowns to seven interceptions.
“If we stop the run and force it into a passing game, we'll be able to get to the quarterback and do our job,” Hall said.
Saturday's game is being televised on ESPN3. KSAM 101.7 FM will broadcast the contest live in the Walker County area.
