Sam Houston State at McNeese State FCS Football 2015 Playoffs 2nd Round Breakdown

Sam Houston State at McNeese State FCS Football 2015 Playoffs 2nd Round Breakdown

 

Sam Houston State at McNeese State, Saturday, 7:00

Sam Houston State got everything they wanted from Southern Utah. They outscored the Thunderbirds 9 to 0 in the fourth quarter to complete a 42-39 comeback win. But it was a rough game for the Bearkats. Quarterback Jared Johnson was extremely ineffective and completed just three of his 17 pass attempts. Jeremiah Briscoe had a little more success, however it was running back Ridgeway Frank that was the key piece for SHSU in their first round win.

McNeese finished the regular season a perfect 10-0. That was partly due to the fact that weather cancelled their game with LSU, but nonetheless, the Cowboys have had a great season and you can bet they are not ready for it to end in the second round of the playoffs. A strong run defense, led by linebackers Bo Brown and Ashari Goins, will make it difficult for Sam Houston State to establish a ground game.

Sam Houston State was ineffective in the air against Southern Utah last week and that could be the difference maker against the Cowboys. McNeese State can stop Frank, Corey Avery and Jalen Overstreet on the ground and force Sam Houston State to win the game with Johnson and Briscoe through the air. Right now, it does not look like Sam Houston State has the ability to win on the road with Johnson or Briscoe leading the way. However, McNeese State needs to score some points too. Quarterback Daniel Sams is pretty much the entire offense for McNeese State. On the year he rushed for 877 yards and threw for 1,441 yards. The McNeese State defense should be able to contain Sam Houston State and Sams is a tough player to stop. This may not be a high scoring game, but it should be close.

Projected Score: McNeese State 21, Sam Houston State 17

 

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