Bearkats Got Their Groove Back With 55-17 Victory Over Tigers
Courtesy: Brandon K. Scott/SHSU Athletics
Sam Houston State improved to 2-1 with a 55-17 win against Texas Southern on Saturday.
Senior running back Timothy Flanders became the Southland Conference all-time touchdown leader after posting two touchdowns and 108 yards on the ground.
Both teams struggled with turnovers early in the game as the first quarter ended scoreless.
Texas Southern was first on the scoreboard with a 27-yard field goal in the second quarter by Eric Medina.
It was all Sam Houston from there.
Flanders surpassed Brent Grimes of Central Arkansas for the Southland Conference all-time touchdown record (59) with a two-yard run to give the Bearkats their first score of the game.
Flanders’ two scores set the conference touchdown record at 61.
On the following drive, quarterback Brian Bell found Torrance Williams in the end zone for a six-yard score.
Bell ran for a three-yard touchdown and Flanders scored from one yard out to give SHSU a 27-3 halftime lead.
Shane Young scored on a five-yard pass from Bell in the third quarter. Keshawn Hill ran for a 23-yard touchdown.
On the first play of the fourth quarter, Ragan Henderson caught a five-yard touchdown throw from Bell.
Texas Southern recorded touchdowns on a 50-yard run by Daveonn Porter in the third quarter, then quarterback Homer Causey ran from 10 yards out.
SHSU senior running back Ryan Wilson scored on a one-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
The Bearkats improved to 2-1 on the season. The Tigers dropped to 0-2.
Sam Houston returns to the field next Saturday to host Incarnate Word at 6 p.m.
A New Beginning In Bearkat Athletics
Courtesy: Paul Ridings, Jr., SHSU Sports Information
The Bearkat Champions Fund, now the sole fundraising arm for Sam Houston athletics kicks off its inaugural “Proud to be a Bearkat” membership drive this month.
Looking to set the stage for an era of even stronger intercollegiate athletic success in all sports, the Bearkat Champions Fund will build upon the momentum established by SHSU’s back-to-back NCAA Division I Football National Championship finals appearances.
“The momentum of athletics at Sam Houston right now is contagious,” Sam Houston State University President Dana Gibson said. “Our success in the past two years has been reflected in growth in all aspects of the University community. It’s time for everyone to show they are Proud to be a Bearkat.”
The inaugural Bearkat Champions Fund Drive began this week with a mailing to more than 6,000 past donors, season ticket purchasers and select alumni.
The goal for the fund drive is to raise $500,000 to benefit all of the 350 student-athletes who represent Sam Houston on the playing field.
“We believe we are on the verge of something special at Sam Houston,” Bearkat Director of Athletics Bobby Williams said. “But to realize our vision and continue our success on the field and in the classroom, Sam Houston State needs the help of our community, alumni, lettermen and friends. We are committed to providing our student-athletes with exceptional educational and athletic opportunities designed for their long-term personal development.”
The fund drive will include Bearkat Champions specials events in the coming year such as the Night of Champions celebration and the Bearkat Invitational Golf Tournament at Sterling Country Club at Houston National next spring.
“Donations and external revenues already account for one-third of the annual athletic operating budget at Sam Houston,” Williams said. “For our football program to continue as an FCS power and set the stage to build on the success of our all sports, Sam Houston must generate from seven to eight million additional dollars in external revenues each year.”
The athletic success that has generated so much national exposure for Sam Houston State University and Huntsville (eight ESPN national telecasts in two years) costs money.
Expenses are on the rise.
The Bearkat Champions Fund will help provide important benefits for the athletic program including fifth-year and summer scholarships, equipment upgrades and sports enrichment opportunities.
“Everyone who is Proud to be a Bearkat is crucial in order for Sam Houston to achieve new heights both athletically and as a university,” Williams said.
Sam Houston athletics also is announcing the implementation of The Bearkat Champions Fund Priority Points System to enhance the rewards of being Proud to Be a Bearkat.
The priority points system recognizes the Bearkats’ most loyal supporters and season ticket holders by awarding points for each contribution made to Sam Houston Athletics.
Points are accumulated when a Bearkat makes a gift to the athletics general fund or to a specific sports enrichment fund.
Rewards include priority for season tickets, parking NCAA playoffs, premium games (versus Texas A&M or LSU, for example) and special invitation-only events.
Members score two points for each $100 donated to the Academic Fund; one for each $200 donated to a sport’s Enrichment Funds; one for each season ticket purchased (all sports) and a point for each consecutive year of giving.
To kick off the priority points program, donors and season ticket holders from the past three seasons already have been awarded points for their participation.
“There has never been a more important time to become part of the momentum that is sweeping Sam Houston sports into the national spotlight,” Williams said. “It is time to become a Bearkat Champion and to encourage your friends and family to do so as well. I’m Proud to Be A Bearkat. Show you are too.”
The Bearkat Champions Fund Drive is being conducted in cooperation with Sam Houston State University Advancement.
Individuals or businesses can show they are “Proud to be a Bearkat” by going online to www.gobearkats.com to contribute or by contacting J. R. Ohr at (936) 294-2362 or Ashten Ackerman at (936) 294-2364.
Flanders Earned “SLC Player of The Week” After Performance Against A&M
Courtesy: Paul Ridings, Jr., SHSU Sports Information
Timothy Flanders, Sam Houston’s all-time leading rusher, has been named as Southland Conference Offensive “Player of the Week” after a record-breaking performance against FBS No. 7 Texas A&M in College Station last Saturday.
The honor marks the sixth time in his Bearkat career Flanders has earned “Player-of-the-Week” honors.
Flanders is the league’s two-time football “Player-of-the-Year”.
The Walter Payton Award candidate is a two-time All-America selection as well.
Flanders ran for 170 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries and added a 33-yard touchdown reception against Texas A&M.
The Aggies had not allowed a back to gain 170 or more yards in 42 consecutive games.
The last player to achieve the feat was Colt McCoy of Texas who rushed for 175 yards in 2009.
Flanders, a senior from Midwest City, Okla. (Midwest City H.S.), became the Southland’s No. 2 career rushing leader and tied league record for career touchdowns with 170 yards rushing and three scores.
Now with 4,455 career yards, he trails only Claude Mathis (4,694 for Texas State in 1994-97) in the Southland career standings.
His career touchdown total (59 – 55 rushing, four receiving) puts him in a tie with Brent Grimes, who played at UCA from 2006-09.
Flanders’ 170 yards rushing are the second best total by a Bearkat in Sam Houston’s 29 meetings against FBS opponents.
He posted 194 yards at New Mexico in 2011 overtime win.
Against the Aggies, Flanders had touchdown runs of 11 and 68 yards, which was the third longest of his career.
The Bearkats play host to Texas Southern Saturday at 2 p.m. at Elliott T. Bowers Stadium as Sam Houston begins a four-game home stand.
Tickets for all six remaining home games at Bowers plus the 88th “Battle of the Piney Woods” at Reliant Stadium on Nov. 2 remain on sale online at www.gobearkats.com .
Fans also may stop by the SHSU Athletic Ticket office at Bowers Stadium.
Ticket office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The ticket office telephone is (936) 294-1729.
Flanders’ Heroics Not Enough Against A&M
Courtesy: Paul Ridings, Jr., SHSU Sports Information
College Station – Walter Payton Award candidate Timothy Flanders moved into second place in all-time Southland Conference rushing Saturday in a 65-28 Sam Houston loss to FBS No. 7 Texas A&M.
Flanders’ 166-yard total on 18 carries marks only the third 100 yards-plus rushing performance by a Bearkat against an FBS opponent.
Flanders rushed for 194 yards in a victory at New Mexico in 2011.
Charles Harris netted 117 yards again Rice in 1990.
The performance marked the 26th 100-yard rushing game of Flanders career.
The senior running back ran for touchdowns of 11 and 68 yards.
He also caught a 33-yard scoring pass to tie the Southland record for career touchdowns (59 set by Brent Grimes of Central Arkansas).
Flanders’ career rushing total now stands at 4,451 yards.
He passed Henry Field of McNeese (4,358 yards in 1992-95) to move into second place all-time in Southland annals.
Claude Mathis (Southwest Texas 1994-97) holds the conference career mark of 4,694 yards.
Quarterback Johnny Manziel showed why he is a Heisman trophy winner, throwing for 426 yards (including 326 in the first half alone).
A crowd of 86,800 attended, the third largest gathering ever to see Sam Houston play football.
Bearkat quarterback Brian Bell completed six passes for 137 yards.
Wide receiver Torrance Williams caught three passes for 86 yards.
Bell and Williams connected for a 75-yard touchdown in the third quarter.
Johntel Franklin led the Bearkat defense with 11 tackles.
Eric Fieilo totaled 10 stops and intercepted a Manziel pass.
Bookie Sneed added nine tackles.
The Aggies and the Bearkats traded touchdowns on the game’s opening drives.
A&M went 81 yards in 11 plays for a one-yard Trey Carson TD run at the 10:52 mark.
Then, Sam Houston went 71 yards in 11 plays as Flanders scored from the 11 to tie the game 7-7 at 7:51.
Keshawn Hill’s 36-yard run was the big play on the drive.
A&M scored 20 unanswered points on Manziel TD passes to Sabian Holmes for 27 yards and Ja’Quay Williams for 20 yards.
Ben Malena scored on a one-yard run.
Bell hit Flanders over the middle for a 33-yard TD pass with 1:59 to play in the half.
The five-play, 75-yard scoring drive cut the Aggie margin to 27-14.
A 35-yard field goal by Taylor Bertolet on the final play of the half gave A&M an 30-14 lead.
Flanders broke for a 68-yard touchdown run on the third play of the second half to put SHSU within nine, 30-21.
The score was the play that moved Flanders into second place in all-time Southland Conference rushing.
Carson scored on another one-yard run and Manziel passed to Brandon Williams for a 10-yard tally to put A&M up 44-21.
Bell passed to Williams for a 75-yard scoring strike on the next play to put the score at 44-28.
The pass was the third longest pass in Bell’s four-year career at Sam Houston.
A&M added three more touchdowns on a Manziel six-yard run, a Nate Askew 30-yard interception return and a 14-yard pass from Kenny Hill to Travis Labhart.
Sam Houston begins a four-game home stand next Saturday, hosting Texas Southern at 2 p.m. at Elliott T. Bowers Stadium.
A&M Got What They “Deserved”
By Cheval John
Saturday’s matchup between defending national champion Alabama Crimson Tide and Texas A&M Aggies featuring Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel will be one for the ages.
The Tide is looking for revenge after last year’s shocking 29-24 defeat to the Aggies at their home field, Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa.
What makes this game so “hyped” is the fact that A&M surprised everyone, including me when they went 11-2 in their first year in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the most difficult conference in the country.
Many believed that A&M was making a mistake of leaving the Big 12 Conference and thought or “hoped” that they were going to get creamed in the SEC.
Instead, the Aggies are shining in the national media limelight and are “laughing” now.
For the fans, this is what they dreamed of.
For the A&M media department staff, this is a nightmare
According to a report by Allen Reed of the Bryan-College Station Eagle, Aggies’sports information director Alan Cannon said that the Kyle Field press box, which seats 102, is filled to capacity.
ESPN, for example, arrived early on the A&M campus to begin their coverage of the showdown.
In addition to shooting the “College Game Day” show this Saturday, “College Football Live” is broadcasting their program on location.
A&M are basking in the spoils as well since moving to the SEC.
In the same report, A&M received $6.5 million of media exposure last year when the Florida Gators visited College Station in A&M’s SEC debut.
Senior athletics director Jason Cook told Reed that this game will exceed it exponentially.
As for the game itself, it will be a good old fashion slug fest between two great teams.
My prediction is that Alabama will not lose to A&M two years in a row because head coach Nick Saban is a master of preparation.
Saban will have his team ready because he has done his homework on “Johnny Football.”
Roll Tide, Roll.
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