Bearkat Bowlers Off To Best Start In Season
Courtesy: Paul Ridings, Jr., SHSU Sports Information
The No. 6-ranked Sam Houston bowling team went unbeaten in five traditional team matches to take over first place after two days in the All State Sugar Bowl Collegiate Bowling Invitational hosted by Tulane in Kenner, La.
The Bearkats will go into Sunday’s best-of-seven baker bracket play the No. 1 with a total pins total of 8,818.
The 5-0 mark Saturday gives the Kats an 8-1 record in dual match play in the event.
The highlight of Saturday’s action was a new Sam Houston team high game set at 1180 highlighted by Becca Pittser’s 279 game.
Friday in quad baker action, Sam Houston defeated Tulane 812-6181, Florida A&M 681-675 and Louisiana Tech 784-724.
No. 9 Stephen F. Austin handed SHSU its only loss of the tournament in a 774-748 decision.
On Saturday, the Kats knocked over Prairie View A&M 1180-978, Alabama State 1024-897, Texas Southern 967-906, Jackson State 940-637 and Bethune-Cookman 923-848.
Sam Houston totaled 3,783 pins on Friday and 5,033 on Saturday.
Stephen F. Austin (7-2 in the tournament) is in second place with 8,817 total pins.
Texas Southern is in third in the 11-team field with 8,555 pins.
“We’re right where we need to be going into the final day,” SHSU head coach Brad Hagen said.
“The Bearkats are defending champions in the Tulane event. Today was a solid day and we made a lot of good shots when needed. We must take today’s momentum and use that straight out of the gate Sunday.”
Sam Houston is the event’s defending champion.
The Kats won 11 of their 12 matches in last year’s event, defeated then No. 2 ranked Arkansas State in the finals.
The SHSU bowlers are one of four nationally ranked squads in the 11-team field at the All Star Lanes in Kenner.
Bearkats Maintains No.2 Ranking
Courtesy: Paul Ridings, Jr., SHSU Sports Information
Sam Houston State remains No. 2 in the Sports Network FCS Top 25 and moved from third to second in the NCAA FCS coaches’ poll Monday.
The Bearkats extended their home winning streak to 19 victories with a 14-3 homecoming victory over Lamar last Saturday.
The winning streak is the longest current mark in FCS football.
Sam Houston stands 5-1 for the season.
The only loss on the record was to FBS top 10 powerhouse Texas A&M.
The Kats were only nine points down to the Aggies in the third quarter of that matchup.
SHSU is 1-0 in Southland play.
North Dakota State, Sam Houston’s foe in the past two FCS national championship games, remains No. 1 in both the Sports Network and NCAA FCS Coaches Top 25.
The Bearkats have been ranked among the FCS top 25 for 31 consecutive weeks.
The team debuted in the national poll on Sept. 9, 2011.
After an 11-0 regular season in 2011, Sam Houston rose to No. 1 before entering the playoffs.
The Kats have finished No. 2 in each of the past two final rankings.
Sam Houston has rated among the FCS top 10 for 27 consecutive polls.
The Bearkats travel to Lake Charles, La., to take on McNeese State Saturday at 7 p.m.
The Cowboys stand No. 9 in the Sports Network poll.
Like, SHSU, McNeese is 5-1 for the year and 1-0 in Southland action.
Sam Houston will return to Elliott T. Bowers Stadium to play host to Northwestern State on Saturday Oct. 26.
Williams Receives SLC’s Honor In Special Teams
Courtesy: Paul Ridings, Jr., SHSU Sports Information
Torrance Williams has been named the Southland Conference football special teams player of the week following an outstanding performance in Sam Houston’s 14-3 victory over Lamar in the Bearkats’ 2013 league opener.
The senior receiver/kick return specialist helped Sam Houston win the field possession battle with five punt returns for 138 yards in a 14-3 victory over Lamar last Saturday.
The Waco, Texas (Connally H.S.) product averaged 27.4 yards per return, including a long of 53 yards.
After his fifth long return, the Cardinals booted their final three punts out-of-bounds.
He also caught two passes for 17 yards and rushed for 18 more to total 173 all-purpose yards.
Williams leads the Southland in punt returns this year (16 for 358) and his 22.4 return average ranks second nationally in the FCS.
During his four-year career, Williams has totaled 1,114 yards in pass receiving and 2,053 all-purpose yards (rushing, receiving and returns).
Williams award marks the fifth time this season for a Bearkat to earn a Southland weekly award.
Sam Houston State travels to Lake Charles, La., to take on McNeese State Saturday at 7 p.m.
The showdown pairs the Southland’s top two FCS nationally ranked teams.
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