Northwestern State at Sam Houston State - Game Thread

[TexasTerror]

Sam Houston State Bearkats vs. Northwestern State
November 12, 2011 · 3:00 p.m · Bowers Stadium · Huntsville, TX

Following the Game
Live Feed - Bearkat Sports Network (https://www.nmnathletics.com/flexReg/Register.dbml?DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=19900)
Radio - KSAM (http://www.ksam1017.com)
Radio - NSU All-Access (http://www.nsudemons.com/showcase)

Game Day Weather Information (courtesy of Weather Underground) -
Bowers Stadium (http://www.wunderground.com/sports/CFB/hometeam/Sam_Houston_State:Bearkats.html?st=1321117200)

Game Notes
NSU - Not Available at Time of Posting
SHSU - Not Available at Time of Posting

Twitter Feeds
@NSUDemons (http://twitter.com/nsudemons)
@BearkatSports (http://twitter.com/BearkatSports)


Team Web Sites
Northwestern State (http://www.nsudemons.com/index.aspx?path=football&tab=football)
SHSU (http://www.gobearkats.com/SportSelect.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=19900&KEY=&SPID=11345&SPSID=92955)


Other Helpful Links
The Natchitoches Times (http://www.natchitochestimes.com/)
Huntsville Item (http://www.itemonline.com)
Houstonian Online (http://www.houstonianonline.com/sports) (SHSU student newspaper)


Team Fan Sites

GoDemons.com (http://www.godemons.com/home.aspx)
SHSU KatFans.com (http://www.katfans.com/)

[TexasTerror]

SLC release...


FRISCO, Texas - With its 38-9 win at Southeastern Louisiana last Saturday, No. 4/3 Sam Houston State clinched a share of the Southland Conference regular-season championship and became the first team nationally to lock up a league's automatic berth into the NCAA Division I playoffs. This week, the Bearkats play host to Northwestern State trying to become the first Southland team to finish with a perfect record against conference foes since McNeese State finished 7-0 in 2007 on its way to an 11-0 regular-season mark. Stephen F. Austin won the title last year with a 6-1 record, the same ledger it shared with McNeese State when they shared the championship in 2009. Former league member Texas State won the league with a 5-2 record in 2008. Sam Houston's previous three Southland championships were shared - with McNeese State in 1991 and 2001 and with Northwestern State in 2004. A win against the Demons would clinch Sam Houston's first outright Southland championship.

The Bearkats are 9-0 this season and 6-0 in league play and hold the tie-breaker with Central Arkansas by virtue of their 31-10 victory on Sept. 17 should Northwestern State pull the upset in Huntsville. The Bears have already concluded league play at 6-1 and play host to a non-conference game against Texas State on Saturday in its season finale. Sam Houston plays at Texas State Nov. 19 to close its regular-season schedule. Not since 2007 has a Southland team been undefeated this late into the season. McNeese State finished 11-1 that year after a first-round playoff loss. Northwestern State and Sam Houston State will kick off Saturday at 3 p.m. on the Southland Conference Television Network.


Northwestern State and Sam Houston State meet Saturday for the 34th time in the series ... the Demons hold a 19-14 advantage in the series and won last year's meeting in Natchitoches, 23-20 in overtime ... the Bearkats have won three of the last five games between the teams

http://www.southland.org/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=18400&ATCLID=205329366

[TexasTerror]

NWST changes its goals...


NATCHITOCHES – When Northwestern State went to the locker room with a six-point lead over Central Arkansas on Saturday, it still had hopes of a Southland Conference football championship.

Thirty minutes later, the Demons were on the losing end of a 45-20 score and were looking at a shift in what the last two games mean for them.

“It’s disappointing,” NSU coach Bradley Dale Peveto said. “There was a chance to win this game and play to have a shot at the title next week (against Sam Houston State). It hurts tremendously, but what you do is you look it in the eye and you address it. You fix the issues you had in this game.”

http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20111107/SPORTS/111107002/Northwestern-State-s-goals-change-after-loss

[Dallas Demon]

Will be interesting to see how the Demons respond now with little on the line to play for. They will either get blown out or it will be a close game because they are upset over the showing last week against UCA.

It will take more than just being fired up to beat this Sam Houston team at home.

[TexasTerror]

Houstonian editorial...


The Sam Houston State football team has a problem.

It is 9-0 and after beating Southeastern Louisiana this past weekend, it gained a share of the Southland Conference title, and is now ranked third in the Sports Network FCS rankings, making it the highest ranked collegiate football program in the state of Texas.

Some might argue that the team has a winning problem, but that's not it.

http://www.houstonianonline.com/viewpoints/occupy-bowers-1.2666672#.TrlZf3L4I7V

[TexasTerror]

Demons still have reason to play...


The Northwestern State Demons came out of Saturday's 45-20 loss to Central Arkansas relatively healthy physically.

Mentally, they're OK, too, although the dream of a Southland Conference championship is gone.

"Any time anyone in the media asks me can our team get back up, I always share it with the team," NSU coach Bradley Dale Peveto said on the weekly Southland Conference coaches teleconference. "I use it as motivation. It angers me because I know our team, they'll be ready to play. Yeah, it hurts, but it's part of the game."

The Demons (5-4, 3-2) get their bounce-back opportunity Saturday afternoon when they travel to SLC-leading Sam Houston State, which already has clinched at least a share of the conference title and a berth in the FCS playoffs.

http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20111109/SPORTS/111090335/Demons-still-reasons-play

[TexasTerror]

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/5149/presidenth.jpg

DATE: November 10, 2011
TO: Bearkat Community
FROM: Dana Gibson, President
RE: Takeover Bowers Stadium Saturday

The Bearkat football team stands on the cusp of a unique accomplishment this weekend and the campus community can play a major role in making it happen.

A victory over Northwestern State Saturday at Bowers Stadium will give our Bearkats their first undisputed conference football championship at the NCAA Division I level.

That's why I'm joining head football coach, Willie Fritz, in urging you to be a face in the crowd at Elliott T. Bowers Stadium. Already, with your support at the five home games thus far at Bowers Stadium, the Bearkats have outscored their opponents 182 points to 30.

Sam Houston holds its highest national NCAA ranking ever, standing No. 3 in the country. The Bearkats field the No. 1 defensive team in the Football Championship Subdivision and lead the nation in scoring.

The excitement Saturday starts with the Bearkat Alley Tailgate at 1:00p.m. and kickoff is at 3:00p.m. The game is being televised to a three-state audience by Southland TV Network. Fans all over the region will see you supporting your Kats as well.

Sam Houston needs you in the stands Saturday wearing your orange. See you there!

Eat ‘em up Kats!

[TexasTerror]

SHSU notes...

http://www.gobearkats.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=19900&ATCLID=205330785

And actual copy of game notes...

http://www.nmnathletics.com/fls/19900/pdf/fbrelease.pdf

[BEAR]

Wait...how long has Sam Houston been in the SLC? I thought they would have won an outright title by now. xeyebrowx I guess McNeese really has dominated this conference all those years. xrotatehx xeekx

[TexasTerror]

Wait...how long has Sam Houston been in the SLC? I thought they would have won an outright title by now. xeyebrowx I guess McNeese really has dominated this conference all those years. xrotatehx xeekx

Mid 1980s.... SHSU has really only been good in flashes and each time, we were setback by a loss.

Remember, TXST didn't win the league title until '05, also their first playoff appearanace - so at least SHSU had some co-SLC titles before then and several playoff appearances (including '01 and '04) in recent years leading up to that.

[kingkat99]

I think the whole "co-champ" concept when one of the co-champs beat the other head to head is stupid...2004 NWST beat us should we have been considered co-champs...NOPE.

[katstrapper]

Wait...how long has Sam Houston been in the SLC? I thought they would have won an outright title by now. xeyebrowx I guess McNeese really has dominated this conference all those years. xrotatehx xeekx

1986 to be exact, the same year that Bowers Stadium opened. SHSU was in Gulf Star Conference for two years after moving up from DII before moving to Southland.

[BEAR]

1986 to be exact, the same year that Bowers Stadium opened. SHSU was in Gulf Star Conference for two years after moving up from DII before moving to Southland.

Is that the same as the Gulf South Conference? xeyebrowx xlolx

[katstrapper]

Is that the same as the Gulf South Conference? xeyebrowx xlolx

That would be a negative!!

[TexasTerror]

Is that the same as the Gulf South Conference? xeyebrowx xlolx

The Gulf Star was created by a handful of teams that made the move to NCAA Division I competition all at once (SWT, SFA, SHSU, NICH, SLU & NWST) that were getting rejected by the Southland Conference - some of the same schools that went I-A or elsewhere (i.e. Ark State, La Tech and Lamar). When those three schools left the league, it got desperate and added all the Texas schools plus NWST. Nicholls and SLU came later...

League lasted three years...


I think the whole "co-champ" concept when one of the co-champs beat the other head to head is stupid...2004 NWST beat us should we have been considered co-champs...NOPE.

What are you going to do in years that there is a three-way tie? Give the championship to the automatic bid holder? I understand why it is exists, but ultimately - the league handles things the right way in determining the AQ or in other sports, seeding for tournaments.

[Bearkat-Backer]

What are you going to do in years that there is a three-way tie? Give the championship to the automatic bid holder? I understand why it is exists, but ultimately - the league handles things the right way in determining the AQ or in other sports, seeding for tournaments.

Years when there is a 3 way tie are the only years that there should be co-champions. If you can determine a champion by head to head match-ups then there is no need for co-champions.

[TexasTerror]

Changing of the OL...


It has become a rite of November for Northwestern State coach Bradley Dale Peveto — finding healthy offensive linemen as the season winds down.

A week ago, the Demons got a little healthier as guard Isaac Puapuaga and tackle Blayne Cole returned to the lineup against Central Arkansas.

They will be in the lineup again Saturday when the Demons (5-4, 3-2) travel to Huntsville, Texas, to face unbeaten and No. 3-ranked Sam Houston State (9-0, 6-0).

http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20111111/SPORTS02/111110338/NSU-OL-shuffle-continues

[TexasTerror]

Houston Chronicle...


HUNTSVILLE — Sam Houston State football coach Willie Fritz received the good news as he left the field after last Saturday's 38-9 victory over Southeastern Louisiana in Hammond, La.

Central Arkansas had beaten Northwestern State the same evening in a contest between teams with one loss each in Southland Conference play. By virtue of its win over Central Arkansas, Sam Houston State (9-0, 6-0 SLC) was now owner of the league's automatic bid to the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs and at least a share of the conference title.

This announcement was met with cheers from the Bearkats in the visitors' locker room at Strawberry Stadium.

http://www.chron.com/sports/college-football/article/Undefeated-Sam-Houston-State-aiming-for-league-2265368.php

[McNeese75]

23-0 SHSU with 5 minutes to go in the first half. The Kat defense is dominating so far.

[UNIFanSince1983]

Was watching on ESPN3, and sounds like SHSU is very very young too. They have looked really good, and I think they are as good as advertised and teams need to watch out in the playoffs.

[TexasTerror]

Was watching on ESPN3, and sounds like SHSU is very very young too. They have looked really good, and I think they are as good as advertised and teams need to watch out in the playoffs.

SHSU is young... key players on the offensive side of the ball are sophomores and freshmen. That includes QB Bell (soph), WR Sincere (soph) and RB Flanders (soph). Defense has a few more juniors than the offensive side.

SHSU 23-6 HALF

[TexasTerror]

Another touchdown for the Kats... Bell to Flanders...

SHSU 30-6 NWST 10:24 3Q

[TexasTerror]

Richard Sincere with the TD... reception from Bell...

SHSU leads 36-10 now after kick was not good... 6:45 3Q

[TexasTerror]

Bell to Sincere... TD

SHSU now leads 43-10 with 3:58 3Q.

[TexasTerror]

FINAL

Sam Houston State takes the outright SLC title... 43-17!

[TexasTerror]

http://image.cdnl3.xosnetwork.com/pics32/640/BX/BXSCGZHMJMKSWFD.20111113004015.jpg

SHSU release...


Huntsville - Richard Sincere scored three touchdowns and Tim Flanders tallied two to lead Sam Houston to a 43-17 victory over Northwestern State Saturday afternoon at Bowers Stadium.

The victory runs the No. 3 ranked Bearkats' season record to 10-0 and earned Sam Houston its first ever undisputed Southland Conference football championship.

Flanders rushed 20 times for 145 yards including a 15 yard touchdown. Sincere gained 75 yards on 11 carries and earned 102 yards on three catches.

http://www.gobearkats.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=19900&ATCLID=205332611

[AppMAN04]

Congrats to SHSU on their Conference title!!

[TexasTerror]

Chronicle write-up...


HUNTSVILLE -- No more Southland Conference co-championships for Sam Houston State.

The Bearkats finally have an outright title of their own.

Sam Houston State rolled over Northwestern State 43-17 in its conference finale Saturday evening at Bowers Stadium to clinch its first undisputed SLC championship.

The Bearkats' three previous championships in 1991, 2001 and 2004 were co-championships.

http://www.chron.com/sports/college-football/article/Sam-Houston-topples-Northwestern-State-to-win-2266124.php

[Dallas Demon]

Congrats Sam on the championship and autobid, go represent the Southland well.

[ngineer]

Congrats SHSU. Maybe we get to meet on down the road! It appears that with our respective offenses, the scoreboard could get worn out.

[Bearkat 41]

I haven't posted on here in years, but I had to tonight. It is nice to see the "love" shown to fellow FCS schools by people who get it. Most of the folks I know don't know or care about FCS football and really shut down if you try and discuss your team with them. AGS is great and its refreshing to see it.

I have said all year long that the Kats are driven by their defense, but obviously their offense gets the bulk of the attention because of what they have done this year. I'm excited they are so young. I wasn't expecting these results this year. I knew we would be good and that next season was going to be a banner year. But I will take this ride 100 times out of 100.

Hope we can keep rolling next week and finish the regular season undefeated and grab a top five seed.

Best of luck to all you guys next week. And I can't wait for the playoffs to get underway.

41

[TexasTerror]

Official photos from the U...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/samhoustonstateu/sets/72157627990567659/

And what's this? A Bearkat41 appearance? Crazy!

[TexasTerror]

Huntsville Item story...


HUNTSVILLE — The third-ranked Bearkats made sure nobody else was going to stake a claim to their Southland Conference championship Saturday. Northwestern State became the latest and last league opponent to run into the buzz saw that is Sam Houston State.

The Bearkats ran over and around the Demons to the tune of 443 yards of total offense. The defense played its normal ball-hawking style, snagging three turnovers and leading Sam Houston to an easy 43-17 victory over Northwestern State.

The Kats on Saturday completed a dominating run through league play with a perfect 7-0 record for its first outright Southland Conference crown in school history.

http://itemonline.com/sports/x185147996/Undefeated-and-on-a-roll-third-ranked-Bearkats-are-Conference-champs

[Frosty The Snowbuff]

Just here to give Grats to the Kats on the Outright Conference Title.....Kinda knew the game was gonna get out of hand after the 1st 2 scores.....

[TexasTerror]

From USA Today...


1: Unbeaten left in FCS, Sam Houston State, after Youngstown State edged top-ranked North Dakota State 27-24. Sam Houston moved to 10-0 and clinched its first outright Southland Conference title with a 43-17 win against Northwestern State.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/campusrivalry/post/2011/11/Football-weekend-review-by-the-numbers-564508/1