Kavian Gaither named WAC DPOY
Brisenia Flores

Football

Kats kickoff season at BYU

Game 1 • vs BYU • Provo, Utah • Live Stats
Television: FS1
Radio: Bearkat Sports Network online
 
PROVO, Utah — Sam Houston begins a new era Saturday as the Bearkats play their first FBS game as a member of Conference USA.
 
The Kats will face BYU, which is also playing its inaugural season in the Big 12, in a game that will be televised on FS1. This will be the first meeting on the gridiron between Sam Houston and the Cougars when the contest kicks off at 9:15 p.m. CST.
 
Sam Houston's last win against an FBS opponent came in 2011 when the Bearkats went 14-1 and finished as runner-up in the FCS playoffs. The Kats defeated New Mexico 48-45 in overtime.
 
In preparation for their first season in the FBS with a new era of redshirt regulations upon the college football landscape, the Bearkats took full advantage of the policies last season. Coach K.C. Keeler publicly stated that several key players were going to play four games and redshirt the 2022 season.
 
Included in that group who played their four games and sat out the remainder of the year were starting wide receivers Ife Adeyi and Noah Smith, starting offensive lineman Ethan Hagler, starting tight end Jax Sherrard, starting defensive end Jevon Leon and starting defensive back Isaiah Downes.
 
Sam Houston landed 11 players on the 2023 College Football Network's preseason All-Conference USA teams. The Bearkats had three players named to the second team including the 2022 WAC Defensive Player of the Year linebacker Kavian Gaither. He is joined by Adeyi and defensive lineman Akeem "Meatball" Smith.
 
Running back Zach Hrbacek was named to the third team, and he was also selected as the honorable mention punt returner. Offensive lineman Ethan Hagler and defensive back Jordan Morris were also third team All-CUSA. North Texas transfer quarterback Grant Gunnell made the honorable mention squad along with linebackers Markel Perry and Jaylen Phillips and Issiah Nixon was named to the defensive flex position.
 
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Players Mentioned

Ife Adeyi

#2 Ife Adeyi

WR
5' 10"
Redshirt Junior
3L
Isaiah Downes

#4 Isaiah Downes

DB
6' 0"
Redshirt Senior
2L
Kavian Gaither

#14 Kavian Gaither

LB
6' 0"
Junior
2L
Ethan Hagler

#57 Ethan Hagler

OL
6' 2"
Redshirt Junior
2L
Zach Hrbacek

#0 Zach Hrbacek

RB
5' 9"
Redshirt Sophomore
1L
Jevon Leon

#94 Jevon Leon

DL
6' 3"
Redshirt Junior
3L
Jordan Morris

#9 Jordan Morris

DB
6' 1"
Redshirt Senior
1L
Markel Perry

#33 Markel Perry

OLB
6' 2"
Graduate Student
4L
Jaylen Phillips

#10 Jaylen Phillips

LB
6' 2"
Junior
3L
Jax Sherrard

#37 Jax Sherrard

TE
6' 5"
Graduate Student
TR

Players Mentioned

Ife Adeyi

#2 Ife Adeyi

5' 10"
Redshirt Junior
3L
WR
Isaiah Downes

#4 Isaiah Downes

6' 0"
Redshirt Senior
2L
DB
Kavian Gaither

#14 Kavian Gaither

6' 0"
Junior
2L
LB
Ethan Hagler

#57 Ethan Hagler

6' 2"
Redshirt Junior
2L
OL
Zach Hrbacek

#0 Zach Hrbacek

5' 9"
Redshirt Sophomore
1L
RB
Jevon Leon

#94 Jevon Leon

6' 3"
Redshirt Junior
3L
DL
Jordan Morris

#9 Jordan Morris

6' 1"
Redshirt Senior
1L
DB
Markel Perry

#33 Markel Perry

6' 2"
Graduate Student
4L
OLB
Jaylen Phillips

#10 Jaylen Phillips

6' 2"
Junior
3L
LB
Jax Sherrard

#37 Jax Sherrard

6' 5"
Graduate Student
TR
TE