Bearkats Announce 2016 Football Schedule
1/16/2016 9:00:00 PM | Football
Southland Conference games with Abilene Christian, McNeese State and Central Arkansas plus non-conference contests with Oklahoma Panhandle State and Texas Southern comprise the 2016 home schedule for Sam Houston football.
The five games at Elliott T. Bowers Stadium next fall are part of an 11-game football schedule for the Bearkats announced Saturday by Sam Houston director of athletics Bobby Williams.
All of the Kats' road games during the 2016 regular season will be Southland contests with the football team playing at Lamar, Houston Baptist, Incarnate Word, Nicholls and Northwestern State.
As always, the crown jewel of the 2016 schedule will be the 91st “Battle of the Piney Woods” presented by H-E-B at NRG Stadium in Houston October 1.
“For the past decade, putting together a football schedule has been challenging with conference membership changes, team success and the ever-changing atmosphere of college football,” Williams said. “It takes a team to identify potential opponents, make contact and negotiate with other universities to determine the best schedule options for our program.
“Our administrative and football staffs work together in developing the season's schedule. I appreciate everyone's efforts trying to provide a competitive schedule for our team, alumni and fans.”
Sam Houston will open the season at home versus Oklahoma Panhandle State on September 3. Dates for the other home contests are Abilene Christian October 15, Texas Southern October 29, McNeese State November 5 and Central Arkansas November 19.
Road dates include Lamar September 17, Houston Baptist September 24, Incarnate Word October 8, Nicholls October 22 and Northwestern State November 12. The NCAA Division I Football Championships begin with opening round action on November 26.
Efforts are underway to develop another successful television package for the 2016 football season.
“I'm proud of the fact that Sam Houston was the only Southland Conference football program to have all 15 of its games televised,” Williams said. “We will continue to work to make that happen in the future.”
Kickoff times for each contest will be announced later in the year due to coordination with the television package. Information about season ticket renewals for 2016 will be distributed in coming weeks.
The 2016 Sam Houston Bearkats Football Schedule:
Sept 3 OKLAHOMA PANHANDLE STATE
Sept. 10 Open Date
Sept. 17 @ Lamar
Sept. 24 - @ Houston Baptist
Oct. 1 - SFA at NRG Stadium in Houston
Oct. 8 - @ Incarnate Word
Oct. 15- ABILENE CHRISTIAN
Oct. 22 - @ Nicholls
Oct. 29 - TEXAS SOUTHERN
Nov. 5 - McNEESE
Nov. 12 - @ Northwestern State
Nov. 19 - CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Nov. 26 - NCAA Championship Begins
