Running game a key for Bearkat offense
12/11/2015 9:42:00 AM | Football
PARKING, TICKET INFORMATION FOR SATURDAY
Much has been made about the Bearkat offense's quick strike in the air with talented quarterbacks Jared Johnson and Jeremiah Briscoe and outstanding wide receivers Yedidiah Louis, LaDarius Brown, Gerald Thomas and Davion Davis.
But just as important to the Kat attack this season is the Sam Houston rushing game. In fact, the team ranks No. 9 nationally in rushing (263.7 yards per game) and No. 13 in passing (279.6). Put those figures together and Sam Houston stands No. 1 in FCS in total offense (543.3 yards per contest) and total first downs (362).
“Yes, we're an up-tempo team that wants to run more than 100 plays every game, but when necessary, we can grind it out with the best of them,” Sam Houston head coach K. C. Keeler. “Give the credit for our offensive success to the front line. They've been dominate this season. We've got eight guys there that have been getting the job done. They feel pretty good about themselves right now and that's a good thing.”
All-America and all-league offensive tackle Donald Jackson III and All-Southland center Zach Stevens and guard Bridge Blount have joined with Tyler Tezeno, Sam Hardy, Brandon DeWitt, Curtis Riser, Parker Murray and Mitchell Watanabe to pave the wave for Sam Houston's running backs and aerial aces.
So potent is the Bearkat rushing game that in each of the last seven consecutive contests, one or more Sam Houston running backs have rushed for more than 100 yards.
Sophomore Corey Avery, Sam Houston's leading rusher with 135 carries for 1,205 yards and 14 touchdowns, has accounted for five of those performances. His streak started with 24 carries for 125 yards and three touchdowns against A&M-Commerce. He has followed up with 22 rushes for 107 yards in the regular season meeting at McNeese, 15 rushes for 197 yards and two scores versus Northwestern State, 13 carries for 109 yards and two touchdowns at Central Arkansas and 30 carries for 147 yards and a score in the NCAA second round playoff victory at Lake Charles last week.
Avery's total of 1,205 yards this fall marks the 12th time in Sam Houston's 100 seasons of football a Bearkat has surpassed 1,000 yards rushing in one season.
Sixth-year season Ridgeway Frank and freshman Remus Bulmer became the 10th backfield duo in Sam Houston history to post 100-yard rushing performances in the same game in the opening round playoff victory over Southern Utah. Frank rushed 29 times for 137 yards while Bulmer added 111 yards on 16 carries.
Jalen Overstreet got the seven-game streak startred by posting a career best 202 yards on 28 carries in the 37-7 victory over Nicholls.
“What's great about this team is their unselfishness,” Keeler said. “When you have guys come in and they understand that the big picture is us winning, the little picture is where they fit into it that goes far. These guys are ready to get on the field and perform whenever their number is called.”
Sam Houston will be going up against another outstanding rushing attack this Saturday when the Bearkats play host to Colgate in the 11 a.m. NCAA Division I Football Championship quarterfinal game at Elliott T. Bowers Stadium.
Raider quarterback Jake Melville has rushed for 1,000 net yards and 10 touchdowns this season. Running backs James Holland (697 yards, 15 TDs), Demetrius Russell (557 yards, six TDs) and John Wilkins (448 yards, three TDs) headline an offense that is averaging 208 yards per game on the ground.
The winner of Saturday's game will advance to the FCS semifinals against the winner of the Charleston Southern versus Jacksonville State game Friday night. The contest will be at either Charleston Southern or Jacksonville State since both are seeded teams.
The other two FCS quarterfinal matchups see Northern Iowa taking on four-time defending national champion North Dakota State and Richmond traveling to face last year's national finalist Illinois State.
Tickets for Saturday's game in Huntsville are on sale now online at www.gobearkats.com or at the SHSU athletic ticket office located on the west side of Bowers Stadium.
