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November 20, 2009

All grown up

Bearkats look to close out season on winning note

By Cody Stark

Sam Houston State’s young defense finally grew up last week in a 17-14 victory over Central Arkansas.

For most of the season, the Bearkats had struggled to stop the opposition, giving up an average of 46.6 points and 534.4 yards of total offense in five losses. Even in its previous three victories, not counting a 41-0 drubbing of Division II Saint Joseph’s, Sam Houston gave up 45 points to North Dakota State, 21 to Nicholls and 30 to Northwestern State.

But last Saturday, the Kats completely shutdown one of the Southland Conference’s top offenses in a much-needed win over the Bears, who were 3-0 against Sam Houston since joining the league.

On a day when the offense was sputtering, the Bearkat defense rose to the challenge in its best performance of the season. Sam Houston (3-3 in SLC, 5-5 overall) held Central Arkansas to less than 20 points for the first time all season and only 243 yards of total offense, which is 150 less than the Bears’ season average.

Junior cornerback Jarvis Pippens and freshman safety Darnell Taylor each picked off passes and freshman wide receiver Vincent Dotson blocked two punts and returned one 36 yards for a touchdown. The Bearkats also harrassed Bears senior quarterback Robbie Park the entire game.

“Central Arkansas had not been held to under 20 points this season and our guys really stepped it up on defense,” SHSU head coach Todd Whitten said Thursday afternoon. “They were the main reason we were able to get it done. We had some big plays in the kicking game. We got pressure and played tight coverage. That type of performance does a lot for confidence.”

The Bearkats are going to need that confidence this week because they are once again going up against one of the top offenses in the country today at 2 p.m.

Sam Houston closes its season with a road game in San Marcos against Texas State. The Bobcats (4-2, 6-4) average 32.3 points and 424.8 yards a game. They also have one of the top quarterbacks in the conference. Senior Bradley George has thrown for 2,820 yards and 20 scores.

“They have one of the best quarterbacks in the country,” Whitten said. “We have to limit Bradley George. We have to have another good game defensively and in the kicking game.”

Sam Houston’s offense wasn’t terrible in the win over Central Arkansas, but the Bearkats are going to have to do better Saturday.

The Bears have one of the best defensive end duos in the country and got plenty of pressure on Sam Houston senior quarterback Blake Joseph.

If the offensive line can give Joseph time and open holes for running back Chris Poullard, the Bearkats will have a good chance to finish the season with a record above .500. Texas State is giving up close to 30 points and more than 400 yards of total offense this year.

“Up front, offensively, has been a concern all year. Our protection has been just decent because we have lots of young guys,” Whitten added. “Our quarterback got hit a lot last week, granted they were going against one of the top defensive lines. We have to protect Blake. If we protect him a little better, we will have a chance for him to make plays for us.”

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