Kats ranked second entering matchup with SFA
9/26/2016 6:16:00 PM | Football
HUNTSVILLE, Texas – For the second consecutive week, the Sam Houston State football program checked in as the second-ranked team nationally, that coming after a 52-16 lopsided victory against Houston Baptist.
The Bearkats (3-0) maintained their No. 2 ranking in the STATS FCS Top 25, trailing unanimous top-ranked North Dakota State (3-1), who was coming off a bye after a last-second victory at Iowa. Jacksonville State (3-1) remained at third followed by Eastern Washington (3-1) and Chattanooga (4-0).
In the FCS Coaches Poll, Sam Houston recorded 610 points to remain at No. 2 behind North Dakota State. The poll listed Chattanooga and No. 3 followed by Jacksonville State and Eastern Washington.
McNeese is the only other Southland Conference program to sit in the top 25, sitting at No. 22 in the coaches poll and No. 23 in the STATS FCS poll. Stephen F. Austin, this week's opponent for the Bearkats at NRG Stadium (1 p.m.) received votes in both polls.
On Saturday, the Bearkats jumped out of the starting gates, racing out to a 28-point lead while scoring the game's final 21 points to beat the Huskies. The win marked head coach K.C. Keeler's 199th victory in his 23 years, moving his all-time record to 199-86-1. Only 75 coaches have ever reached the 200-win milestone including just 14 who are actively coaching.
The Bearkats continued their surge offensively, closing the week ranked first in total offense (632.7 yards per game), first in scoring offense (51.7 points per game), second in passing offense (376.7 yards per game) and eighth in rushing offense (256.0 yards per game).
The squad will be seeking its sixth straight win against the Lumberjacks in Saturday's 91st Battle of the Piney Woods. The matchup has been played at NRG Stadium each of the past six years with the crowds growing larger each season. Sam Houston defeated Stephen F. Austin 34-28 on Oct. 3 last year before a crowd of 26,990 fans at NRG Stadium.
To be part of the excitement, secure your tickets by contacting the Sam Houston ticket office at (936) 294-1729 or visit GoBearkats.com.
