Football Season Outlook: Sam Houston State
In his first season as head coach at Sam Houston State in
2010, Willie Fritz fielded one of the youngest Southland Conference squads
ever. Only 29 returning lettermen and six seniors dotted the 90-man roster. The
first day of fall practice there were more newcomers in camp than veterans.
But that group of youngsters responded to the challenge by
meshing together into a squad that won six of its final nine games. Picked to
finish next to last in the preseason polls, Sam Houston tied for third in the
league race. The three conference losses were decided by a total of only 14
points (losses by a field goal to SFA and Northwestern State and by five points
to McNeese).
Now, for their second season, Fritz and his staff welcome
back 11 starters on offense, nine on defense and three special teams starters
plus 23 other returning lettermen.
That includes Tim Flanders, the conference co-freshman of
the year, who rushed for 948 yards and scored 13 rushing touchdowns;
quarterback Brian Bell, who led the team with 1,371 yards passing; receiver
Seth Patterson, who caught 35 passes for 370 yards, and all-conference kick
return specialist Brandon Closner, who averaged 11.5 yards returning punts and
25.8 yards on kickoff returns.
In 2011, the coach's top goal is to become more explosive
on both sides of the line of scrimmage. Sam Houston led the Southland in
rushing defense in 2010, allowing only 100.1 yards per game. But opponents averaged
261.3 yards per game in the air.
The Bearkats look to have a strong running game again.
Flanders set a school record with seven 100-yard rushing performances and the
highest season rushing total ever by a Bearkat freshman. Sophomores Ridgeway
Frank and Ryan Wilson give Sam Houston two more experienced runners.
Sam Houston's top six receivers return, including starters
Seth Patterson, Kevin Matthews and Richard Sincere.
Watson, a senior center and second-team All-Southland
selection, is back to lead the offensive line. Junior tackles Dan Jenkins and
Kaleb Hopson and senior guard Chris Crockett joined Travis as starters last
year.
Defensively, 11 of the top 12 team leaders in tackles are
back.
Junior free safety Kenneth Jenkins earned first-team all-conference
honors and senior linebacker Will Henry and junior defensive lineman J.T.
Cleveland were voted to the second team.
Junior cornerbacks Darnell Taylor and Dax Swanson and
sophomore strong safety Bookie Sneed all were honorable mention all-conference
selections. Taylor led the Bearkat defense in total tackles with 64 and Jenkins
and Henry added 58 and 48, respectively. Other returning starters on defense
include linemen sophomore Gary Lorance and senior Eddie Decambre and senior
linebacker Kash David.
Special teams look to be a strength as well. Closner, an
All-Southland kick returner, ranked No. 2 in the league in punt returns (11.5
average per return) and No. 3 in both kickoff returns (25.8 average per return)
and all-purpose yards (126.5 yards per game).
Junior kicking specialist Miguel Antonio was an honorable
mention All-Southland selection. Junior Matt Foster, the "punter from Down
Under" also returns. The Melbourne, Australia, product produced a 38.8 yard
average last year. Deep snap specialist sophomore Ken Jones is back as well.
After playing only four games in Huntsville at Elliott T.
Bowers Stadium in 2010, the Bearkats will play six home games at Bowers this
season and travel just 70 miles south to Houston to meet Stephen F. Austin at
Reliant Stadium.
The Bearkats play host to Western Illinois, a participant
in the 2010 NCAA Division I playoffs, in the season opener Sept. 1. Sam Houston
also travels to face New Mexico, a member of the Football Bowl Subdivision, in
Albuquerque and plays host to UTSA in Huntsville.
Outlook provided by Sam Houston State sports information.