McNeese State, Sam Houston State are Early Southland Football Leaders

McNeese State, Sam Houston State are Early Southland Football Leaders

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FRISCO, Texas - Sam Houston State and McNeese State each are 2-0 in Southland Conference play entering the seventh week of the season. The No. 12/10 Bearkats improved to 5-0 overall with a 45-10 victory over Stephen F. Austin last week and join No. 1/1 Georgia Southern and No. 5/4 North Dakota State as the only three unbeaten teams in the Football Championship Subdivision. In addition to the Bearkats' win over the Lumberjacks, who won the last two conference championships, Sam Houston has a home win over Central Arkansas and will play host Nicholls State Saturday at 2 p.m. in Huntsville. No. 17/22 McNeese State, which is 3-2 overall to go with conference wins against Southeastern Louisiana and Northwestern State, returns to league action at Central Arkansas Saturday at 3 p.m. in the Toyota Game of the Week on the Southland Conference Television Network.

There are two other games involving Southland teams this week. Southeastern Louisiana visits Northwestern State at 6 p.m. and Lamar steps out of conference play for a road game against former league member Texas State at 6 p.m. Stephen F. Austin has an open date.
 
Purple & Gray Turf to Make TV Debut on Southland TV
When Central Arkansas plays host to McNeese State Saturday, it will mark the television debut of the Bears' new purple and gray turf it installed during the summer. While it is UCA's third home game this season, neither of the previous two home games had been televised. Saturday's 3:05 p.m. kickoff will be televised by the Southland Conference Television Network. Coverage begins at 3 p.m., Central. Visit www.Southland.org/television for a list of affiliates. Randy McIlvoy and Shea Walker will call the action from the booth. The crew will be joined by Jane Slater on the sideline.

As one of the nation's most innovative broadcast opportunities, the award-winning Southland TV became a reality in 2008 and has broadcast nearly 100 events. The network, which reaches homes in Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas, has earned a College Sports Media Award (2009) and an honorable mention (2010) at the College Sports Video Summit as well as four prestigious Telly Awards. The conference will feature 11 football telecasts in 2011. All games will be streamed live and free on SLC NOW on Southland.org.
 
Week Seven Matchups
Nicholls State and Sam Houston State will meet Saturday for the 27th time in the series ... the Bearkats lead the series 14-11-1 and has won the last five meetings and nine of the last 12 ... Sam Houston won 26-7 last year in Thibodaux ... McNeese State and Central Arkansas will meet for the sixth time on Saturday ... the Cowboys lead the series 3-2 though the Bears won 28-24 last year on the final day of the regular season to keep McNeese from sharing the conference title with Stephen F. Austin ... the teams had met in the Red Beans and Rice Bowl on the final Saturday of the regular season each of the last four years ... Southeastern Louisiana and Northwestern State met Saturday for the 55th game of the series ... the Demons hold a slight 28-26 all-time lead and won last year, 35-16 in Hammond, for the second time in the last five meetings between the schools ... Lamar and Texas State have met 21 times previously with the Bobcats holding a 14-6-1 lead in the series ... the teams have never played when both teams were Southland Conference members ... Texas State entered the Southland in 1987, the year after Lamar's final season in the league before it dropped the program in 1989 ... Texas State played its final football season in the Southland in 2010, the same year Lamar reinstated its program before it rejoined the Southland this year ... the Cardinals claimed a 20-19 victory in 1989, the last time the teams met.
 
Week Six Rewind
Sam Houston State improved to 5-0 overall and 2-0 in the Southland Conference after beating two-time defending conference champion Stephen F. Austin 45-10 in the Battle of the Piney Woods ... the crowd of 25,083 was the largest crowd in the 86-game history of the series ... the Lumberjacks and Bearkats will are scheduled to continue the series in 2012 and 2013 ... 49,768 fans have attended the first two games at Reliant Stadium ... the conference record of 27,500 to watch two Southland teams battle could be in jeopardy if the attendance trend continues to climb ... Central Arkansas squeaked by Nicholls State 37-31 in Thibodaux for its third consecutive win in the series ... the teams combined for 857 yards of offense ... Northwestern State scored 20 points in the second quarter, including three touchdowns in the final 10 minutes to build a 27-7 halftime advantage on its way to a 37-17 victory at Lamar ... the Demons now have an 8-7-1 lead in the all-time series ... the game had been delayed one hour and 23 minutes because of power outages earlier in the day ... McNeese State dropped a 21-14 decision at home to former league rival Texas State, which scored a fourth-quarter touchdown and converted a two-point pass for its first win against the Cowboys since 2008.
 
Sam Houston Enters Top 10
Sam Houston State has climbed into the top 10 of The Sports Network FCS Top 25 and is ranked No. 10, which is up one spot from last week after beating Stephen F. Austin 45-10. The Bearkats ascended to No. 12 in the FCS Coaches Poll, up from No. 15 last week. Sam Houston State, which was not ranked until beating Central Arkansas in week four and has only climbed after wins over New Mexico, a Football Bowl Subdivision team in the Mountain West Conference, and UTSA. McNeese State fell from No. 13 in the coaches' poll to No. 17 this week and from No. 15 in The Sports Network Poll to No. 22 this week. Central Arkansas is receiving votes in The Sports Network Poll.
 
Week Six Conference Honors
Sam Houston State has swept the Southland Conference football players of the week awards after its 45-10 victory over Stephen F. Austin Saturday in the Battle of the Piney Woods at Reliant Stadium in Houston. Receiver Richard Sincere was named the offensive player of the week after he accounted for 147 yards of offense against the Lumberjacks. He totaled 111 rushing yards and 36 passing yards. He averaged 10.1 yards per carry and ran for touchdowns of 4 and 9 yards while helping Sam Houston roll up 431 yards of total offense. Linebacker Darius Taylor was named the defensive player of the week after he corralled two of the team's four interceptions and returned them 39 yards. Punter Matt Foster claimed the special teams player of the week after he averaged 46.0 yards on five punts, including a long of 56 yards and two boots inside the 20.
 
Other Notable Performances in Week Six

  • Central Arkansas quarterback Nathan Dick accounted for three touchdowns Saturday in the win at Nicholls State. He completed 25 of 33 (76 percent) of his passes for 306 yards and three touchdowns and scored on a 15-yard run in the second quarter. UCA totaled 482 yards of total offense and averaged 7.5 yards per play.
  • Lamar split end J.J. Hayes made 10 catches for 212 yards and shattered the school record for receiving yards in a game. The previous high was 192 by Herbert Davis against Louisiana Tech in 1981. Through five games this season, Hayes has 24 receptions for 524 yards. He is 12th on the school list with 1,269 receiving yards. He needs seven yards at Texas State to move into 11th place and 46 yards to take over 10th place.
  • Nicholls State running back Marcus Washington led the Colonels with a career-high 101 rushing yards on 15 carries (6.7 yards per carry). He scored on touchdown runs of 1 and 5 yards and had a 54-yard gain in the first quarter that helped set up his first touchdown.
  • Northwestern State quarterback Brad Henderson completed 26 of 34 passes for 290 yards and three touchdowns to help lead the Demons to a 37-17 victory at Lamar to improve to 2-1 in league action.
  • Against Nicholls State, Central Arkansas defensive end Jermayne Lett recorded 4.5 tackles for loss, including three sacks for 16 yards, which tied the school's single-game record for sacks. His 4.5 tackles for loss is the second best in school history. Lett made eight tackles, including six solo stops, against the Colonels.
  • Lamar linebacker Asim Hicks made a career-high 13 tackles, topping his previous high of nine last year at Southeastern Louisiana. He also forced a fumble, made a 6-yard sack and had another two stops behind the line of scrimmage.
  • McNeese State defensive tackle Desmund Lighten recorded 12 total tackles against Texas State. He also made four tackles for loss, including a 10-yard sack. Lighten helped anchor a Cowboy defense that held the Bobcats to 82 total yards, including 17 rushing yards, in the second half. The Bobcats were held to 33 yards in the fourth quarter when they ran for -22 yards.
  • Nicholls State cornerback Bobby Felder racked up a career-high 11 tackles, including eight solo stops and recorded his third interception of the season against Central Arkansas. The Bears tried to stay away from Felder for most of the game until the fourth quarter, when he intercepted a jump ball in the end zone. He also blocked a PAT.
  • Northwestern State cornerback Cashas Pollard made five tackles in the 37-17 win over Lamar and added a 30-yard interception return. He had another, an 89-yard returned for a touchdown in the third quarter, erased by a penalty.
  • Lamar punter Kollin Kahler averaged 48.2 yards on four punts against Northwestern State. His 65-yard punt in the first quarter was the second longest of his career, ranking behind only the 72-yarder he boomed at Southeastern Louisiana last week. He is averaging 41.7 yards on 27 punts this season.
  • Northwestern State punter Nic Russo averaged 41.2 yards on five punts at Lamar and landed two inside the 5-yard line. His longest in the game was 61 yards.

Southland in the NCAA Stats

  • Sam Houston State leads the nation against the run, allowing only 46 rushing yards per game and 2.17 yards per carry.
  • Bearkat running back Tim Flanders ranks second in the FCS in scoring and is averaging 10.8 points per game. He has scored nine touchdowns for 54 points.
  • The Bearkats also rank third nationally in scoring defense, giving up just 15.6 points per game. Sam Houston has allowed 10 touchdowns and three extra points.
  • Sam Houston State quarterback Brian Bell ranks third in the FCS with a passing efficiency rating of 168.87. Central Arkansas quarterback Nathan Dick is 11th with a 158.33 rating.
  • Sam Houston State is ranked fourth in the nation in turnover margin, benefiting from 1.8 turnovers per game. The Bearkats have gained 13 turnovers and lost four to sit at +9 through five games.
  • Stephen F. Austin return man Gralyn Crawford leads the Southland and ranks fifth in the FCS with an average of 169.7 all-purpose yards per game. Tim Flanders is second in the league and 17th nationally with an average of 149.2 all-purpose yards per game.
  • Stephen F. Austin is ranked sixth in the FCS with 317.3 passing yards per game. Southeastern Louisiana (288.2) is ranked 13th and Central Arkansas (283.3) is ranked 15th.
  • Sam Houston State is sixth nationally in rushing offense, averaging 248.6 yards per game. The Bearkats are averaging 5.05 per carry.
  • Sam Houston State defensive back Daxton Swanson is averaging .60 interceptions per game to rank seventh nationally. He has three interceptions in five games. Nicholls State defensive back Bobby Felder and Lamar defensive end Jacody Coleman each are averaging .50 picks per game to rank 14th.
  • Sam Houston State is ranked eighth nationally in net punting, averaging 38.93 net yards per punt. The Bearkats average 42.0 yards on 27 punts and have allowed only 10 returns for 23 yards.
  • McNeese State is ranked eighth in the FCS in punt returns, averaging 16.4 yards per return. In five games, they have just five returns for 82 yards.
  • Lamar receiver J.J. Hayes ranks eighth nationally in receiving yards per game. He is averaging 104.8 yards per and 4.8 receptions per game.
  • Sam Houston State is ranked 10th in the FCS in pass efficiency defense, limiting opponents to a 103.72 rating.
  • Lamar ranks 10th in the nation in scoring offense, scoring 35.2 points per game. Southeastern Louisiana (33.4) is 17th and Sam Houston State (33.2) is 18th.
     

Four Southland Players Named Semifinalists for Campbell Trophy
Four Southland Conference football student-athletes are among the 127 candidates for the semifinalists for the 2011 William V. Campbell Trophy, which recognizes an individual as the absolute best scholar-athlete in the nation, the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame announced Sept. 29. The honorees from the Southland Conference include McNeese State senior punter Ben Bourgeois, Northwestern State senior linebacker Yaser Elqutub, Sam Houston State senior offensive tackle Travis Watson and Stephen F. Austin senior punter Drew Nelson. All 127 semifinalists are also candidates for the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards. There were 33 student-athletes recognized from the Football Championship Subdivision.
 
Elqutub Named to AFCA Good Works Team
Northwestern State senior linebacker Yaser Elqutub is among 22 student-athletes from all levels of college football named to the 2011 AFCA Good Works Team, the AFCA announced Sept. 20. One of four honorees from Football Championship Subdivision, Elqutub, the president of the Southland Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, was recognized for his community and campus service with the 2011 Southland Conference Steve McCarty Citizenship Award. He is the third Southland Conference recipient and the first in 13 years, since Stephen F. Austin punter Chad Stanley was selected in 1998, one year after teammate Todd Holmes, a defensive back, was chosen.
 
Sam Houston State Gives Southland 17th Win vs. FBS Since 2000
The league played 11 games against the FBS this season and got its first win Sept. 24 when Sam Houston State beat New Mexico out of the Mountain West Conference, 48-45, in overtime. It was the 17th win by a Southland team against the FBS since 2000 and was the first since Central Arkansas won at Western Kentucky in 2009. The Southland was winless in 11 games against the subdivision last year. This year, the Southland played teams from Conference USA as well as the Big 12, Mid-American, Mountain West, Southeastern, Sun Belt and Western Athletic conferences. The Southland has played to within 14 points another 21 times, including twice this year when Southeastern Louisiana lost 47-33 at Tulane and Central Arkansas lost 48-42 in overtime at Louisiana Tech.
 
A Different Eight Southland Teams in 2011
There is a change in the Southland Conference alignment for the 2011 season. The league welcomes back Lamar to the conference gridiron. The Cardinals were an original Southland member in 1964, but became an independent in the Football Championship Subdivision following the 1986 season before they discontinued the program in 1989. Lamar reinstated football last year and played as an independent, going 5-6. While Lamar joins the league, Texas State departs. The Bobcats began their transition into the Football Bowl Subdivision in the offseason and as a result became ineligible for the NCAA Division I Championship and also for the Southland Conference championship. Texas State will play the 2011 season as an FCS Independent, and, while it stays on the schedule for the eight Southland teams, it will count as a non-conference game.
 
Northwestern State's Rose on Watch List for Buchanan Award
Northwestern State junior linebacker Derek Rose was on the preseason watch list for the 2011 Buck Buchanan Award sponsored by Fathead.com. The Buchanan Award is in its 17th season and will be presented to the outstanding defensive player in the FCS at the national awards banquet Jan. 6, 2012, in Frisco, Texas. Rose is one of six linebackers to be named to the initial watch list and is the only player from the Southland Conference to join the group. The New Orleans, La., native earned first team All-Southland Conference and All-Louisiana honors his sophomore season, as well as second team Sports Network All-America honors after he led the league with 138 tackles - the most at Northwestern since 1991 when senior All-America linebacker and Walter Payton Trophy runner-up Andre Carron set the single-season record with 176.
 
Three from Southland Named Preseason First-Team All-Americans
McNeese State free safety Malcolm Bronson, Northwestern State linebacker Derek Rose and Stephen F. Austin return specialist Gralyn Crawford have garnered preseason first-team All-America honors by at least one organization. All three received first-team mention on the Phil Steele FCS Preseason All-America Team. Crawford was also honored by College Sporting News, The Sports Network, Consensus Draft Service and Lindy's. Rose also received kudos from The Sports Network, Lindy's and Beyond Sports Network. A total of fifteen Southland Conference football players earned recognition on preseason All-America teams.
 
Twelve Former Southland Players in NFL
A total of 12 players who played at current Southland Conference schools appear on rosters in the National Football League in 2011. The Buffalo Bills lead all teams with three former Southland players, including a pair from Northwestern State. Cornerback Terrence McGee and offensive lineman Demetrius Bell from Northwestern are joined by former Southeastern Louisiana receiver Felton Huggins in Buffalo. McGee is the longest tenured NFL player from the conference with nine years of experience. The Demons lead the conference with three former players on NFL rosters. Former Northwestern linebacker Isaiah Greenhouse is with the Dallas Cowboys. Central Arkansas, McNeese State, Nicholls State and Southeastern each have two players in the league. Stephen F. Austin has one.

Atlanta Falcons
Marquez Branson, Central Arkansas

Baltimore Ravens
Lardarius Webb, Nicholls State

Buffalo Bills
Demetrius Bell, Northwestern State
Terrence McGee, Northwestern State
Felton Huggins, Southeastern Louisiana

Dallas Cowboys
Isaiah Greenhouse, Northwestern State

Kansas City Chiefs
Quinten Lawrence, McNeese State

New England Patriots
Markell Carter, Central Arkansas

St. Louis Rams
Jabara Williams, Stephen F. Austin
Kevin Hughes, Southeastern Louisiana

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Devin Holland, McNeese State

Washington Redskins
Kareem Moore, Nicholls State