HUNTSVILLE – The general feel around the Sam Houston State football program was that the squad had tremendous depth when it came to running the ball. Quarterback Jeremiah Briscoe was not expected to fit into that mix.
In his first full season as the starter, Briscoe showed off his wheels – at least on one eight-year touchdown run – as the Bearkats sped past Oklahoma Panhandle State, 59-21, in the season opener on Saturday night in front of 8,609 fans at Bowers Stadium.
“Whatever I've got to do, I've got to do,” Briscoe said with a laugh. “I felt somebody in my face so I didn't want to force anything. I turned around and saw grass so I ran. I told myself I was going to make it in. It was fun.”
Sam Houston (1-0) used four running backs to split time between 42 rushes, led by Corey Avery's 13 rushes and 70 yards along with a touchdown. First-year transfer Javin Webb also provided a major boost adding 59 yards on 11 carries including his first touchdown in Bearkat uniform.
“I really wanted to wear them down,” third-year head coach K.C. Keeler said. “It was a hot day. You have the Bowers advantage with the sun in their face the whole first half. My whole thought was to run as many plays as we could early on. We want to try to get into the mentality that when we have fourth-and-1 that we want to have the confidence in the offense to go for it.”
Meanwhile, Briscoe went 26 for 39 through the air, passing for 338 yards and three touchdowns. In his elevated role, wide receiver Grant Finney served as a prime target, catching seven passes for 67 yards.
“They were giving up a lot of stuff on the boundary so as long as they were willing to give it, we were going to take it,” Briscoe said. “Grant is someone I have a tremendous amount of confidence is. Anytime he is one-on-one we want to take advantage of it.”
While the offense, which posted 29 first downs and 668 yards of total offense stole most of the spotlight, the defense also showed major strides. The unit held the Aggies (0-1) to just seven points during the final three quarters while limiting Oklahoma Panhandle to just two passing first downs.
“I think they realized early on they were going to have a tough time running against us,” Keeler said. “That has been a point of emphasis for us. If people are going to beat us, it's going to be little dinks and dunks down the field. We want to make them work with those. All-in-all, I thought the defense did some real good things.”
Sam Houston scored 21 first quarter points, jumping ahead 7-0 on a 23-yard touchdown pass from Briscoe to Yedidiah Louis. Six minutes later, it was a 32-yard reception to tight end Deon Hutchinson, his only reception of the night that vaulted the Kats to a 14-point advantage.
Leading by just seven points at the conclusion of the first, Sam Houston exploded for 17 second quarter points highlighted by a 21-yard scamper from Avery on a reception out of the backfield. Keeler offered praise to Briscoe, who exited in the latter part of the third quarter for backup Caleb Griffin.
“I thought Jeremiah had a solid day,” Keeler said. “I don't think it was anywhere close to being his best. I liked how he controlled the offense with great poise. In terms of poise and making good decisions, it was exactly what we needed to run the offense.”
Sam Houston averaged 7.3 yards per play but the focus remained on getting better entering a bye week. A season ago, the Bearkats fell to Lamar, the next opponent on the schedule, following what Keeler refers to as the 'get-better week.'
“At times we played very clean,” Keeler said. “You can't give up a kickoff return for a touchdown. We had a couple penalties. My expectations are so high for what this team can do. We do think we have the weapons and the experience. We have a system that puts our guys in great position.”
