SHSU To Honor 1985 & 1986 Squads On Saturday
11/17/2016 4:06:00 PM | Football, Bearkat Champions Fund
HUNTSVILLE, Texas - During first and second quarter breaks of Saturday's game against Central Arkansas, Sam Houston State will honor the 1985 and 1986 Bearkat football squads at midfield.
The 1985 squad turned in an 8-3 campaign including a 4-1 Gulf Star Conference record en route to a league championship. One year later the Kats, also under the direction of head coach Ron Randleman, produced a Gulf Star title in the first year the Kats competed at the NCAA Division I Championship subdivision level.
The squad finished 9-3 including a 3-1 record in league play while advancing to the first round of the NCAA playoffs.
The 1985 team boasted 10 all-conference selections, including Gulf Star Player of the Year, quarterback Lanny Dycus, who completed 52.6 percent of his passes for over 1,800 yards and nine touchdowns with 73 yards and three scores on the ground.
Running back Luther Turner, who still stands second all-time in rushing touchdowns at Sam Houston, was also a first-team selection after rushing for 15 scores and 840 yards on the ground for a Bearkat squad that led the league with 204.5 yards per game on the ground for the season. He ran behind an offensive line anchored by first team all-league offensive lineman Brett Kaiser.
Defensive lineman Carl Willis and defensive back Tollie Royal were each unanimous first-team choices as well, with Royal leading the team in tackles (68) while Willis was tops in sacks (7.0) and tackles for loss (10). The team's 19 interceptions still stands as second most ever at Sam Houston.
Second team choices included Kelvin Scott (offensive line), Kenny Allen (tight end), Arnold Baker (defensive line), Theron Harison (defensive lineman), Freddie Nickson (linebacker) and Frank Fryer (defensive back).
That year the Kats started just 3-3 before catching fire in the second half of the season, winning their final five games of the year, including a 27-25 win over SFA in the season finale that clinched a share of the title. Despite their record, the Kats were ineligible for the postseason due to being in their final year of transition up to what was then the 1-AA level.
A year later Sam Houston took the next step in claiming the GSC crown for the second straight year and earning its first-ever berth in the NCAA 1-AA playoffs. The 1986 Bearkats earned a No. 11 final national ranking and cracked the rankings for the first time after pulling off a 41-38 upset over No. 4 Nicholls in Thibodaux in upset fashion after trailing the Colonels 31-21.
That season's squad earned a reputation for thrilling come-from-behind victories after they also rallied from a 17-7 deficit to beat Central State (OK), from 26-21 to knock off SFA and from 31-18 to defeat Southwest Texas State in the final game of the year to snatch the GSC trophy.
The Bearkats also opened up Bowers Stadium in 1986, posting a 6-0 record in their new digs.
Additionally, the 1986 team led the Gulf Star Conference in total offense (411.7 ypg), scoring offense (27.2 ppg), punting (41.4 ypp), punt returns (14.5 ypr) and kickoff returns (21.9 ypr).
Punter Bart Bradley was named the GSC Freshman of the Year and was one of 12 Kats to receive all-league honors. Quarterback Reggie Lewis was a second-team selection after throwing for 2,078 yards and 12 touchdowns, while James Shorts and J.J. Middleton combined for over 1,100 yards and seven touchdowns out of the backfield.
Kaiser, along with Philip Karasek and Scott gave Sam Houston three offensive linemen on the first team. Other first team selections included Ricky Eggelston (tight end), Billy Hayes (kicker) and Bradley.
Keith Willis (wide receiver), Harrison (defensive line), Lish Adams (linebacker), Louis Gill (defensive back) and Carl Mims (defensive back) were all second-team choices.
