Bearkats aim to lock in a winning season, Bulldogs look to spoil party in Huntsville’s Bowers Stadium
HUNTSVILLE, Texas — The Sam Houston Bearkats (6-2, 3-1 C-USA) are on a historic path in their inaugural season as an FBS program, clinching bowl eligibility with a gritty 10-7 victory over FIU last week. With one more win, they can secure their first winning season at the FBS level, adding a monumental achievement to their 2024 journey. They’ll get that chance Tuesday night, as they host the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (3-4, 2-2 C-USA) at Bowers Stadium. Head Coach K.C. Keeler emphasized the significance, stating, “It’s a number we’ve talked about a lot, getting to number six…but that’s history. That’s not the end of our history—we’re still writing the story.”
This high-stakes matchup marks the first-ever meeting between the teams in Huntsville, adding intrigue to an already pivotal game. Last year, the Bearkats captured their first Conference USA win with a 42-27 victory over Louisiana Tech in Ruston, where Sam Houston’s defense showcased its potential, sealing the game with a decisive pick-six by Kavian Gaither. Reflecting on that game, Keeler noted, “Sometimes you score 40 points in the last three quarters to win; sometimes you need stifling defense and a blocked punt.”
Sam Houston’s Resilient FBS Rise
The Bearkats, led by Keeler’s veteran leadership, have made a statement in their second year at the FBS level after overcoming an 0-8 start in 2023. This season, they’ve surged forward, winning six of their first eight games, a feat no other FBS team transitioning up has managed in recent years. They join a select group of programs, including Georgia Southern and James Madison, in achieving bowl eligibility within their first two FBS seasons. “Going on the road without our starting quarterback and finding a way to win is a huge accomplishment,” Keeler said, referring to last week’s game where backup kicker Christian Pavon, despite battling illness, sealed the victory with a game-winning field goal. “We didn’t punch it in when we had the chance…but Christian…pretty darn good, and we’re thankful he got on the plane to come down,” he added.
Sam Houston’s powerful ground game has been instrumental, averaging over 219 rushing yards per game, which ranks them among the best in Conference USA. Keeler remarked, “That’s kind of who we are—you know, we’re a run downhill-at-you kind of team,” underscoring the team’s commitment to physicality. This strategy has allowed the Bearkats to control the clock, ranking first in C-USA and tenth nationally in time of possession.
Defensively, Sam Houston’s unit has undergone a significant transformation under 30-year-old coordinator Skyler Cassity, the youngest defensive coordinator in FBS. Cassity’s leadership has been critical, with the Kats holding opponents to under 100 rushing yards in four of their six wins. Keeler credited Cassity and the staff, saying, “Our kids really understand what their responsibilities are…I think we have some talent on the defensive side of the ball, and Skyler and the staff do a really good job.” This confidence allowed the Bearkats to take a more conservative approach last week, which Keeler justified, explaining, “We felt so confident in how we were playing defensively that we really got conservative offensively. I’m not here to lead the country in scoring—I’m trying to win ball games.”
Louisiana Tech’s Fight for Consistency
Louisiana Tech, coached by Sonny Cumbie, has experienced mixed results this season, currently at 3-4 overall and 2-2 in C-USA play. Cumbie’s team is led by their redshirt freshman quarterback, a Texas native with a big arm, who’s earned the confidence of the Bulldogs’ staff as they look to build for the future. Keeler acknowledged the challenge posed by the young quarterback, stating, “He’s a Texas kid, can sling the ball around…they’re putting their future in his hands,” highlighting Louisiana Tech’s commitment to developing their new talent.
The Bulldogs have struggled against high-powered rushing attacks, and their defense will be tested against Sam Houston’s potent ground game, which has consistently set the tempo. However, Louisiana Tech’s offense remains a threat with skilled playmakers on the perimeter, which Keeler noted as an area of focus for the Bearkats: “They have some skill guys they’re going to try to get the ball to on the perimeter…the quarterback won’t run it much, but he’s athletic enough to pull it down if needed.”
A Historic Meeting in Huntsville
This game represents the first-ever trip to Huntsville for Louisiana Tech, a program that leads the all-time series against Sam Houston, 2-1-1. The series dates back to 1926, where they met for the first time in Ruston, ending in a 6-6 tie. The teams next faced off in 1942 and 1999, with the Bulldogs emerging victorious both times. Last season’s 42-27 Sam Houston win marked a shift in this rivalry, as it was the Kats’ first conference win and demonstrated their growing strength in Conference USA.
Tuesday’s game will cap Sam Houston’s four-game midweek stretch, one of five non-Saturday games they play in 2024, tying them with Jacksonville State for the most midweek games in FBS. Under Keeler, the Bearkats hold a 5-1 record in midweek games outside their transitional years, and a win would place them among the few programs to secure a winning record so soon after their FBS transition.
Keeler’s Confidence in the Program’s Future
As Sam Houston closes out its midweek games, Keeler is acutely aware of the challenges that playing on short rest can bring. “There’s a lot to factor in…between the travel and how many days off you have,” he explained, adding that the adjustment to midweek games has been a learning experience for the team. “You get in a situation where you don’t even know what day of the week it is. I think today’s Friday, but my whole brain’s going Tuesday,” he joked, underscoring the impact of the unusual schedule.
With the potential to secure a winning season, Keeler and his team are focused on finishing strong. “We want to build off that…we have a big one coming up,” he stated. Sam Houston will also need to consider the return of key players, including star wide receiver Noah Smith, who’s recovering from an injury. “I don’t want to rush Noah back,” Keeler shared, noting the importance of monitoring his health with the final three games of the season in mind.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. CT, with coverage on ESPNU and the Bearkat Sports Network. As Keeler put it, “There’s a lot for us to still write about the history of this team,” and Tuesday’s game against Louisiana Tech will mark another chapter in Sam Houston’s journey at the FBS level.
