Sam Houston State Bearkats
Southland
With their win over Central Arkansas in the last game of the regular season, Sam Houston State heads into the playoffs with a perfect 11-0 record and a Southland title. Coach K.C. Keeler enters his third season with perhaps his best team yet. And this was a program that reached the semifinals of the playoffs last season.
2016 Record: 11-0, 9-0
Coach: K.C. Keeler
Big Wins: 11/5 McNeese State (56-43), 11/19 Central Arkansas (59-23)
Bad Losses: None
Strengths:
The potent Bearkats offense revolves around quarterback Jeremiah Briscoe. He has thrown for 4,096 yards and 52 touchdowns with just seven interceptions this season. Briscoe, who came in from UAB, wasted no time turning into an efficient and prolific passer in the Southland Conference. With dangerous receivers like Yedidiah Louis, Nathan Stewart and Davion Davis, Sam Houston State will make plenty of huge plays through the air. The ground game is pretty good too. Sophomore Remus Bulmer and Corey Avery have basically split carries and both are very capable backs who can take advantage of their opportunities when the opposition concentrates too much on the potent passing game.
Weaknesses:
With the nation’s top scoring offense, it is obviously the defense is the weakness of Sam Houston State. However, this is an experienced group that may give up some yards, especially through the air, but do a good job of not breaking. Despite ranking seventh in the Southland in pass defense and sixth in total defense, the Bearkats ranked second in scoring defense, allowing just 26.2 points per game. P.J. Hall is a superb pass rusher and Mouf Adebo has greatly benefited on the other end from the necessity to double team Hall. Despite the fact SHSU will get into the backfield on a consistent basis, the pass defense has had some problems. Junior safety Alfonzo McMillian is the leader of the unit, but this team lacks big playmakers in the secondary.
Statistical Leaders:
Rushing: Remus Bulmer, RB, 806 yards
Passing: Jeremiah Briscoe, QB, 4,096
Receiving: Yedidiah Louis, WR, 977 yards
Tackles: Justin Johnson, LB, 83
Sacks: P.J. Hall, DE, 11.0
Interceptions: Darion Flowers, LB, 3
2016 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 209.8 (21st in nation, 2nd in conference)
Passing Offense: 382.6 (2, 1)
Total Offense: 592.4 (1, 1)
Scoring Offense: 53.7 (1, 1)
Rushing Defense: 154.2 (58, 5)
Pass Defense: 270.4 (112, 7)
Total Defense: 424.6 (93, 6)
Scoring Defense: 26.2 (52, 2)
Turnover Margin: 0.10 (57, 5)
Sacks: 3.20 (8, 1)
Sacks Allowed: 0.70 (6, 1)
Recent Playoff Appearances:
2015 First Round Defeated Southern Utah
2015 Second Round Defeated McNeese State
2015 Quarterfinals Defeated Colgate
2015 Semifinals Lost to Jacksonville State
2014 First Round Defeated Southeastern Louisiana
2014 Second Round Defeated Jacksonville State
2014 Quarterfinals Defeated Villanova
2014 Semifinals Lost to North Dakota State
2013 First Round Defeated Southern Utah
2013 Second Round Lost to Southeastern Louisiana
2012 Second Round Defeated Cal Poly
2012 Quarterfinals Defeated Montana State
2012 Semifinals Defeated Eastern Washington
2012 Championship Lost to North Dakota State
2011 Second Round Defeated Stony Brook
2011 Quarterfinals Defeated Montana State
2011 Semifinals Defeated Montana
2011 Championship Lost to North Dakota State
2004 First Round Defeated Western Kentucky
2004 Quarterfinals Defeated Eastern Washington
2004 Semifinals Lost to Montana
2001 First Round Defeated Northern Arizona
2001 Quarterfinals Lost to Montana
1991 First Round Lost to Middle Tennessee State
1986 First Round Lost to Arkansas State
*all team stats through 11/12
