BEARKATS LOADED UP AGAIN
OFFENSIVE JUGGERNAUT REMAINS INTACT FOR ANOTHER NATIONAL TITLE CHASE
HUNTSVILLE — Quarterback Jeremiah Briscoe won the Walter Payton award last season as the top player in FCS, triggering Sam Houston State to an undefeated regular season, a Southland Conference championship, and No. 1 national ranking. One thing was missing.
“I would be perfectly fine if I didn’t throw one touchdown pass the whole season and win the national championship,” said the senior from Stratford by way of UAB. “I would give up the Walter Payton award for the championship ring any day.”
In 2016, Briscoe threw for 57 touchdowns and 4,602 yards in the Bearkats’ 12-1 season which ended with a 65-7 quarterfinal playoff loss at James Madison. Briscoe returns to run an explosive offense that averaged a national-best 49.5 points per game.
“We unconsciously get the numbers up,” said senior All-America slot receiver Yedidiah Louis, the 2016 SLC offensive player of the year. “You just go out there and play and enjoy yourself.”
It was a fun 2016 season for the Bearkats. A number of Bearkats garnered All-SLC recognition. And the talented Kats have 11 players on the 2017 preseason All-SLC team — nine on the first team.
Defensively, senior end P.J. Hall is the stalwart, with 13 sacks last year. Hall was second in voting for the Buck Buchanan award for FCS defensive player of the year.
“We have the best two players in the country,” said fourthyear Sam Houston coach K.C. Keeler, referring to Briscoe and Hall. “The expectations should be high.”
At 305 pounds, the 6-1 Hall, who has 36 career sacks, will play more inside.
“He’s so explosive it’s not even funny,” junior linebacker Justin Johnson said. “No one is going to get around the edge.”
The Kats also return receiver Nathan Stewart, last year’s SLC freshman of the year, who joins fellow receivers Davion Davis and Louis on the preseason All-SLC first team.
“It’s as good a receiving core I’ve seen,” Keeler said. “The two outside kids (Stewart, Davis) are unbelievable.”
New voices on staff
Two of the biggest changes for the Bearkats are in the coaching staff. New offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey, who comes from Nevada, has a more downhill running philosophy. Cramsey replaces Phil Longo, who became the OC at Ole Miss. Clayton Carlin, who
coached defensive backs, has been promoted to coordinator.
As explosive as the Bearkats’ offense was in 2016, there will be more emphasis on the running game. Of the Kats’ 89 offensive touchdowns in 2016, 54 of those drives took less than two minutes off the clock.
Seven FBS transfers are expected to make an impact. The group includes lock-down corner Darius Mouton (UNLV) and Craig Williams Jr. (Fresno City College) in the secondary, and Chris Stewart (Wake Forest) on the defensive line.
Keeler feels the 2017 Kats should be his best team in Huntsville. That’s saying a lot. His first three teams qualified for the playoffs with two conference titles.
“This is a special thing we’ve got going on,” Johnson said.
Richard Dean is a Texas Sports Nation contributor.