Kats take step forward in first scrimmage
8/12/2016 2:01:00 PM | Football
HUNTSVILLE – For all the talk about the Sam Houston State football program being powered by one of the nation's premier offenses, during the first scrimmage, it was the defense that stood out.
In full pads, the Bearkats took 90 snaps on Friday morning at Elliott T. Bowers Stadium, simulating a game-like atmosphere with officials on hand and music replicating crowd noise.
“You can just look at the offense and know what's returning and what is expected for them to be doing,” third-year head coach K.C. Keeler said. “You look at a defense and they're going blow to blow with them. I think our defense has improved. We're playing faster and really physical. Hopefully that keeps translating and we'll have a good defense.”
After graduating starting cornerback Trenier Orr along with lettermen Dedrick Brooks and Mikell Everette, competition at the position has been high through fall camp. Among those vying for a starting spot is junior Carlos Teal, who was a reserve safety and special team's player a year ago.
Teal, who posted an 11-yard interception return against McNeese in last season's FCS Playoffs win in Lake Charles, La., likes where the unit is at compared to this point a year ago.
“Last year during our first scrimmage, we didn't do well in tackling,” Teal said. “We went over a lot of tackling drills and I feel like we really executed today. I see things we can improve on but for being the first scrimmage, I think we did well.”
Offensively, quarterback Jeremiah Briscoe saw first-hand the depth at running back as returners Corey Avery and Remus Bulmer were limited on touches, providing an opportunity for newcomers like Javin Webb and Jordan Brown to showcase their abilities.
“They're definitely huge pieces to the puzzle offensively,” Briscoe said. “Jordan is probably the fastest running back we have whereas Javin Webb is an all-around great running back. He is really something special. We really rested Corey today and wanted to see what those guys could do. I really look forward to how deep our running backs are this year.”
The scrimmage also provided the first opportunity this fall for the offense to begin pushing the tempo to the speed it expects. The Bearkats have run more than 100 plays three times in the past two seasons including a school-record 118 in the 2015 opening-round playoffs victory against Southern Utah.
“This was our first time where coach Keeler wasn't holding us like he is in practice to let the defense get set,” Briscoe said. “We were looking to play fast and push the tempo today. I think we did an okay job of it. We're not where we want to be yet but I think overall, we did take a step forward.”
Friday was also the first opportunity for freshman quarterbacks Cody Brewer and Caleb Griffin to experience the Bearkats' fast-pace unit. According to Briscoe, the duo was impressive in leading their respective groups offensively.
“I thought they both did well for their first time really having bullets flying at them,” Briscoe said. “Even though we weren't live, it was still their first time full speed. I thought Caleb handled the speed of it. He may have forced a couple balls but that's just getting your timing down. I thought Cody had a good day. He threw a couple touchdowns. He handled himself really well.”
Sam Houston returns to the field on Saturday, holding its ninth practice at 10 a.m. and 10th practice at 3 p.m. The Bearkats will look to continue growing heading into their second scrimmage next Wednesday at 8 a.m.
“It's really going to be about playing cleaner and refining what we have in,” Keeler said. It's trying to decide how much further and how much faster we want to go. We can't put a lot more in because I want to get this down and play really clean with this.”
Season tickets are currently on sale by calling the Sam Houston ticket office at (936) 294-1729 or by visiting GoBearkats.com. Single-game seats will be available for purchase beginning Saturday at 10 a.m. Tickets to the 91st Battle of the Piney Woods at Houston's NRG Stadium (Oct. 1) are also currently available.
FALL PRACTICE SCHEDULE
Saturday, Aug. 13 – Practice #9 (8 a.m. – 10 a.m.)
Sunday, Aug. 14 - Practice #10 (8 a.m. - 10 a.m.)
Tuesday, Aug. 16 – Practice #11 (8 a.m. – 10 a.m.)
Wednesday, Aug. 17 – Practice #12 (8 a.m. – 10 a.m.) + Practice #13 (3 p.m. – 4:20 p.m.)
Friday, Aug. 19 – Practice #14 (8 a.m. – 10 a.m.) + Practice #15 (3 p.m. – 4:20 p.m.)
Saturday, Aug. 20 – Practice #16 (8 a.m. – 10 a.m.)
Sunday, Aug. 21 – Practice #17 (8 a.m. – 10 a.m.)
Monday, Aug. 22 – Practice #18 (8 a.m. – 10 a.m.)
