Young receivers look to shine on Family Weekend
9/26/2015 7:07:00 AM | Football
FOOTBALL GAME DAY INFORMATION
Still looking for its first victory of the 2015 season, the Sam Houston football team plays host to Houston Baptist today at 6 p.m. at Elliott T. Bowers Stadium.
Another big crowd is expected for “Bearkat Family Weekend” as the Kats seek to get a winning streak started. Last year, Sam Houston stood 1-3 at this point in the season and rallied to win 10 of its next 11 games to earn a Southland championship and FCS playoff berth.
A key factor in the game could be the play of two young wide receivers who have made a big impact in the opening games at Texas Tech and last week against Lamar.
Sophomore Yedidiah Louis and freshman Davion Davis have become favorite targets for quarterbacks Jared Johnson and Jeremiah Briscoe. It is hard for safeties and linebackers to keep up with Davis and Louis in the slot, giving them a chance at making big plays over the middle.
“We're the inside receivers, so we get a lot of love with the ball most of the time,” Louis said. “On the inside, we're the speedier guys and (the quarterbacks) look at us first. We have a lot more space and opportunity on the inside.”
Against Texas Tech in the season opener, Davis caught 12 passes for 103 yards, leading the team in both receptions and receiving yards for the game.
Davis also caught a 29-yard touchdown pass on a short slant route from quarterback Jeremiah Briscoe, showing off his wheels as he raced to the end zone untouched.
“After that, I was more confident and not as nervous as I was,” Davis said. “I was just letting the game come to me. It was just exciting.”
Like Louis last year, the Bearkats' coaching staff was too impressed by Davis' athleticism during training camp to keep him on the sideline on gameday.
“Davion is a tremendous talent,” Sam Houston State head coach K.C. Keeler said. “He has the mentality and the work ethic to have a great career here.”
Still, Davis was surprised by how often Briscoe and Johnson looked his way against the Red Raiders in his first collegiate start.
“I wasn't expecting that this early,” Davis said. “I thought I was going to touch it at least three times, but to have 12 catches, I wasn't expecting that.”
Louis led the Bearkats in receptions and yards last Saturday against Lamar, catching six passes for 151 yards.
Louis had several huge plays in the game, including a 46-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter and a 30-yard reception on third-and-23 in the fourth quarter when the Bearkats were behind 49-39.
“Every time I get the ball I just try my best to do what I can do,” Louis said. “I've been doing this for a long time, so it's just reaction most of the time. I'm not scared to make big moves and be flashy.”
Louis' touchdown was particularly spectacular, as he had to jump to catch Briscoe's high pass, hurdle his own teammate, juke several defenders and finally shed a tackler in order to cross the goal line.
Like Louis said, being flashy is part of his game.
“I had to get up for that one, but it's just reacting like I said,” Louis said. “When you get a screen play like that you just turn it into a punt play. You get out (in space) and get loose. I saw a lot of (guys) in my vision and I just reacted.”
Last season, Louis led the Bearkats in receptions with 71, 26 more than Sam Houston's second leading receiver, and was second on the team in receiving yards with 803.
Tickets for Saturday's game are available online at www.gobearkats.com and at the Sam Houston athletic ticket office located on the west side of Bowers Stadium. The ticket office will open at 2 p.m. today.
