Sam Houston State Bearkats football

The Sam Houston State Bearkats football program is the intercollegiate American football team for Sam Houston State University located in the U.S. state of Texas. The team competes in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) and are members of the Southland Conference. Sam Houston's first football team was fielded in 1912. The team plays its home games at the 12,593 seat Bowers Stadium in Huntsville, Texas. On January 23, 2014, K. C. Keeler was named the 15th head coach in Sam Houston State program history.[2]

For information on all Sam Houston State University sports, see Sam Houston State Bearkats.
Sam Houston State Bearkats
2020 Sam Houston State Bearkats football team
First season1912
Athletic directorBobby Williams
Head coachK. C. Keeler
5th season, 52–17 (.754)
StadiumBowers Stadium
(Capacity: 12,593)
Field surfaceReal Grass Pro Artificial Surface
LocationHuntsville, Texas
NCAA divisionDivision I FCS
ConferenceSouthland Conference
(WAC in July 2021)
All-time record529–464–34 (.532)
Bowl record3–1–1 (.700)
Playoff record19–11
Claimed national titles1
Conference titles7
RivalriesStephen F. Austin (rivalry)
ColorsOrange and White[1]
         
Fight songBearkat Fight Song
MascotSammy Bearkat
Marching bandBearkat Marching Band
OutfitterUnder Armour
WebsiteGoBearkats.com

The Bearkats will leave the Southland Conference in July 2021 to join the Western Athletic Conference, which will relaunch its football league at the FCS level at that time.[3]

History

Sam Houston has fielded a football team since 1912 and have played continuously since 1946 following World War II. The only times the Bearkats did not field a football team were in 1918 for World War I and from 1943 to 1945 for World War II. The Bearkats competed independently from 1912 through 1923, in the Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association (TIAA) from 1924 to 1931, in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) from 1932 to 1981, in NCAA Division II from 1982 to 1985 and in NCAA Division I-AA (now FCS) since the 1986 season.

The Bearkats have 11 conference championships, and have seen post-season NCAA playoff action in six seasons, with back-to-back NCAA Division I Championship game appearances in 2011–2012.[4] Sam Houston State also has 3 bowl victories in four games, and one claimed National Championship from NAIA in the 1964 season.[5]

Head coaches

Ron Randleman is Sam Houston's and the Southland Conference's all-time winningest coach with 132 wins over a span of 23 years. Randleman also won conference Coach of the Year honors on four occasions, in the Gulf Star Conference in 1985 and 1986, and in the Southland Conference in 1991, and 2001.[6]

Paul Pierce coached the Bearkats to its only National Championship, and also won the 1965 Knute Rockne Little All-American Coach of the Year award.[7]

Willie Fritz coached Sam Houston to back-to-back conference championships and back-to-back national title game appearances in only three years, while being awarded the 2011 AFCA National Coach of the Year award and the 2012 Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year award. He was also named the 2012 AFCA Regional Coach of the Year.[8][9][10][11]

On January 23, 2014, former Delaware head coach K. C. Keeler was named the 15th head coach in Sam Houston State program history.[2]

Name From To Record Postseason
WLT
S. R. Warner 1912 1913 531
Gene Berry 1914 1919 14151
Mutt Gee 1920 1922 674
J. W. Jones 1923 1935 54539 1930 Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association champions
Henry O. Crawford 1936 1937 7120
Puny Wilson 1937 1951 50496
Paul Pierce 1952 1967 94527 1955 Lone Star Conference co-champions, 1956 LSC champions, 1964 LSC, NAIA National co-champions, 3 bowl wins in 4 appearances
Tom Page 1968 1971 20193
Allen Boren 1972 1973 7140
Billy Tidwell 1974 1977 11301
Melvin Brown 1978 1981 12290
Ron Randleman 1982 2004 1311253 1985 Gulf Star Conference co-champions, 1986 GSC champions, 2001 Southland Conference co-champions, 2004 SLC co-champions
Todd Whitten 2005 2009 25280
Willie Fritz 2010 2014 40150 2011 SLC champions, 2011 NCAA Division I Finalist, 2012 SLC co-champions 2012 NCAA Division I Finalist
K. C. Keeler 2014 present 46120 2014 SLC co-champions, 2014 NCAA Division I Semifinalist, 2015 NCAA Division I Semifinalist, 2016 SLC champions, 2016 NCAA Division I Quarterfinalist, 2017 NCAA Division I Semifinalist
Composite record 1912 present 52546134

Championships

National championships

Sam Houston State has one national championship, won during their tenure in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. They played Concordia Cobbers for the championship, with the game resulting in a tie.[12] They were Co-champions with Moorhead.[13]

Season Coach Selector Record Result Opponent
1964Paul PierceNational Association of Intercollegiate Athletics9–1–1T 7–7Concordia College

Conference championships

Sam Houston State has won 13 conference titles, seven shared and six outright.

Year Conference Overall Record Conference Record
1930Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association9–15–0
1955†Lone Star Conference6–1–25–1–1
1956Lone Star Conference10–07–0
1961Lone Star Conference8–17–0
1964†*Lone Star Conference9–1–15–1
1985†Gulf Star Conference8–34–1
1986Gulf Star Conference9–34–1
2001†Southland Conference10–35–1
2004†Southland Conference8–34–1
2011Southland Conference14–17–0
2012†Southland Conference11–46–1
2014†Southland Conference11–57–1
2016Southland Conference12–19–0

† Denotes shared title.[14]

Conference affiliations

Bowl game appearances

Sam Houston State appeared in five bowl games during their time in the NAIA, going 3–0–1 in these bowl games, with the final one notably being for the NAIA championship.

Season Bowl Opponent Result
1952Shrimp BowlNortheastern State (OK)W 41–20
1953Refrigerator BowlCollege of IdahoW 14–12
1956Refrigerator BowlMiddle Tennessee StateW 27–13
1958Christmas Festival BowlNorthwestern StateL 11–18
1964Championship BowlConcordia CollegeT 7–7

Division I-AA/FCS Playoffs results

The Bearkats have appeared in the I-AA/FCS playoffs 11 times with an overall record of 19–11.

Year Round Opponent Result
1986First RoundArkansas StateL 7–48
1991First RoundMiddle Tennessee StateL 19–20 OT
2001First Round
Quarterfinals		Northern Arizona
Montana		W 34–31
L 24–49
2004First Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals		WKU
Eastern Washington
Montana		W 54–21
W 35–34
L 13–34
2011Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
National Championship Game		Stony Brook
Montana State
Montana
North Dakota State		W 34–27
W 49–13
W 31–28
L 6–17
2012Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
National Championship Game		Cal Poly
Montana State
Eastern Washington
North Dakota State		W 18–16
W 34–16
W 45–42
L 13–39
2013First Round
Second Round		Southern Utah
Southeastern Louisiana		W 51–20
L 29–30
2014First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals		Southeastern Louisiana
Jacksonville State
Villanova
North Dakota State		W 21–17
W 37–26
W 34–31
L 3–35
2015First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals		Southern Utah
McNeese State
Colgate
Jacksonville State		W 42–39
W 34–29
W 48–21
L 10–62
2016Second Round
Quarterfinals		Chattanooga
James Madison		W 41–36
L 7–65
2017Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals		South Dakota
Kennesaw State
North Dakota State		W 54-42
W 34-27
L 13–55

Home stadiums
Main article: Bowers Stadium

Pritchett Field (1912–1985)

The Bearkats' home for football was on Pritchett Field for 73 years (1912–1985) beginning with their first football game against Rice University in 1912. The field was named after Joseph Pritchett, brother of the university's fourth president Henry Carr Pritchett, and former owner of the land the field rests on.

The final football game played on Pritchett Field was a victory for the Bearkats with a score of 51–7, defeating Washburn University. Sam Houston State Football began playing games at Bowers Stadium following the 1985 season. The complex is currently home to Sam Houston Women's Soccer and Club Lacrosse.[15]

On April 18, 2013,[16] football was played on Pritchett Field for the first time since 1985 for the annual Orange-White spring game. The event also included the presentation of the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award to head coach Willie Fritz.[10]

Bowers Stadium (1986–present)
Bowers Stadium in Huntsville, Texas. Home of the Sam Houston State Bearkats football team.

Bowers Stadium, formerly Bearkat Stadium (1986–1989), is currently home to both Sam Houston State Football and the Track and Field programs beginning with the 1986 season. Bowers Stadium has a capacity of 14,000. However, 16,148 fans packed Bowers Stadium in 1994 to watch Alcorn State led by NFL bound quarterback Steve McNair in a 48-23 SAM HOUSTON victory on regional ABC-TV.[17][18]

Rivalries

Stephen F. Austin
Main article: Battle of the Piney Woods

The Sam Houston State/Stephen F. Austin rivalry game, also known as the Battle of the Piney Woods, is a yearly rivalry held at NRG Stadium in Houston. The two teams have met 91 times with Sam Houston leading the series 54-35-2. The Battle of the Piney Woods is Texas' second longest FCS rivalry. The most recent meeting ending with the Bearkats dominating the Lumberjacks 63-28 in front of 27,411 fans and clinching their 6th win in a row

Notable former players

Bearkats in the National Football League

Sam Houston has had 36 alumni play in the National Football League, with 19 players selected in the Draft.[19][20] During the 2018 NFL Draft, the Oakland Raiders selected defensive lineman P. J. Hall in the second round. This represents the highest a Bearkat player has been drafted by an NFL team.

Individual awards

National awards

Sam Houston State has had a total of 73 players selected into the College Football All-America Team, including 43 NCAA All-Americans and 30 NAIA All-Americans. A number of these players have also been considered for major national awards.[21] In 2016, quarterback Jeremiah Briscoe became the first Bearkat to win the Payton Award. In 2017 he became the first Bearkat to win two Payton Awards and only the second FCS player to win multiple Payton Awards after former Appalachian State quarterback Armanti Edwards became the first in 2009.

Major honors

Conference awards

Sam Houston State has had 407 All-Conference selections and honorable mentions, including 202 in the Southland Conference, 25 in the Gulf Star Conference, 173 in the Lone Star Conference, and 7 in the Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association.[22]

Individual program records

Rushing records
  • Most rushing attempts, career: 758, Timothy Flanders (2010–2012)
  • Most rushing attempts, season: 298, Timothy Flanders (2011)
  • Most rushing attempts, game: 39, Charles Harris vs North Texas (1993)
  • Most rushing yards, career: 4,234, Timothy Flanders (2010–2012)
  • Most rushing yards, season: 1,644, Timothy Flanders (2011)
  • Most rushing yards, game: 287, Timothy Flanders vs Montana (2011)
  • Most rushing touchdowns, career: 52, Timothy Flanders (2010–2012)
  • Most rushing touchdowns, season: 22, Timothy Flanders (2011)
  • Most rushing touchdowns, game: 5, Timothy Flanders (September 20, 2011 vs. New Mexico)
  • Longest rush from scrimmage: 90 yards, Charles Harris vs Rice (1993), Arthur Louis vs SFA (1978), Dennis Gann vs Texas A&I (1966)
  • Most games with at least 100 rushing yards, career: 25, Timothy Flanders (2010–2012)
  • Most games with at least 100 rushing yards, season: 10, Timothy Flanders (2012)
  • Most games with at least 200 rushing yards, career: 2, Charles Harris (1993), D. D. Terry (2006), Timothy Flanders (2011–2012)
  • Most games with at least 200 rushing yards, season: 2, Charles Harris (1993, D. D. Terry (2006)[23]

Passing records
  • Most passing attempts, career: 770, Brian Bell (2010–2012)
  • Most passing attempts, season: 531, Dustin Long (2004)
  • Most passing attempts, game: 69, Rhett Bomar vs Southeastern Louisiana (2008)
  • Most passing completions, career: 450, Brian Bell (2010–2012)
  • Most passing completions, season: 333, Dustin Long (2004)
  • Most passing completions, game: 38, Dustin Long vs Eastern Washington at FCS Quarterfinals (2004)
  • Most passing yards, career: 6,165, Brian Bell (2010–2012)
  • Most passing yards, season: 4,588, Dustin Long (2004)
  • Most passing yards, game: 577, Dustin Long McNeese State (2004)
  • Most passing touchdowns, career: 52, Brian Bell (2010–2012)
  • Most passing touchdowns, season: 39, Dustin Long (2004)
  • Most passing touchdowns, game: 5, 9 times by Dustin Long (4 times), Chris Chaloupka (3 times), Josh McCown (1 time), Rhett Bomar (1 time)
  • Longest pass completion: 99 yards, Binky Ford to Frankie Reescano vs Howard Payne University (1980)
  • Most games with at least 300 passing yards, career: 8, Dustin Long (2004)
  • Most games with at least 300 passing yards, season: 8, Dustin Long (2004)[24]

Receiving records
  • Most receptions, career: 211, Matt Dominguez (1997–2000)
  • Most receptions, season: 99, Jarrod Fuller (2004)
  • Most receptions, game: 13, Torrance Williams vs Central Arkansas (2013)
  • Most receiving yards, career: 3,273, Matt Dominguez (1997–2000)
  • Most receiving yards, season: 1,477, Jonathon Cooper (2001)
  • Most receiving yards, game: 242, Jonathon Cooper vs Western Illinois (2001)
  • Most touchdown receptions, career: 27, Matt Dominguez (1997–2000)
  • Most touchdown receptions, season: 18, Jonathon Cooper (2001)
  • Most touchdown receptions, game: 4, Matt Dominguez vs Nicholls State (1999)
  • Longest pass reception: 97 yards, Frankie Reescano from Blinky Ford vs Howard Payne (1980)
  • Most games with at least 100 receiving yards, career: 10, Matt Dominguez (1997–2000)[25]

Defensive records
  • Most tackles, career: 538, Stan Blinka (1975–1978)
  • Most tackles, season: 211, Stan Blinka (1978)
  • Most tackles, game: 24, Stan Blinka (1978 vs Stephen F. Austin)
  • Most sacks, career: 36, Andre Finley (1986–1989)
  • Most sacks, season: 15, Andre Finley (1988)
  • Most sacks, game: 4, Michael Bankston (1991 vs Angelo State), Will Henry (2010 vs Nicholls State)
  • Most interceptions, career: 14, Daxton Swanson (2009–2012)
  • Most interceptions, season: 8, Daxton Swanson (2011)
  • Most interceptions, game: 3, Charles Stanley vs. Howard Payne (1977), Mark Hughes vs. McNeese State (2004)[26]

References
  1. "FAQ's about new branding". April 16, 2020. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  2. Roepken, Corey (2014-01-23). "Sam Houston State hires K.C. Keeler as head football coach". Houston Chronicle.
  3. "WAC Announces Expedited Entrance for Four Texas Institutions" (Press release). Western Athletic Conference. January 21, 2021. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  4. "Sam Houston Football Record Book" (PDF). Sam Houston State Athletics. 2013. Retrieved 2013-05-04.
  5. "1964 National Co-Champion team holds reunion". Sam Houston State Athletics. 2009-10-24. Retrieved 2013-05-04.
  6. "SHSU's Ron Randleman to Retire". Southland Conference. 2004-12-12. Retrieved 2013-05-04.
  7. "Sam Houston State Coaching Records". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved 2013-05-04.
  8. "Sam Houston State gets second chance in FCS title game". Houston Chronicle. 2013-01-04. Retrieved 2013-05-04.
  9. "SHSU's Willie Fritz Named AFCA Coach of the Year". Archived from the original on 2014-03-05. Retrieved 2013-04-12.
  10. "Football Back At Pritchett Thursday Night". Retrieved 2013-04-19.
  11. "Willie Fritz earns AFCA Regional Coach of the Year". Retrieved 2013-04-12.
  12. http://www.naia.org/fls/27900/1NAIA/SportsInfo/Championships/FB_Championship.pdf?SPSID=640523
  13. "Sam Houston State Bearkat History". GoBearkats.com. Retrieved 2009-08-07.
  14. "Sam Houston State Conference Championships". Retrieved 2013-04-09.
  15. "Joseph Pritchett Field". Retrieved April 9, 2013.
  16. "Orange-White Spring Scrimmage". Retrieved 2013-04-19.
  17. "Sam Houston State Bearkat Athletic History". Archived from the original on February 5, 2005. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
  18. McNair Hurt As Alcorn St. Loses, 48-23. Washington Post (September 25, 1994). Retrieved 2014-7-17.  – via HighBeam Research (subscription required)
  19. "NFL Players who attended Sam Houston State University". DatabaseFootball.com. Archived from the original on 2007-09-19. Retrieved 2013-04-19.
  20. "Sam Houston State Football Record Book" (PDF). Sam Houston State Athletic Department. Retrieved 2013-04-23.
  21. Sam Houston State Football Records – National Awards (PDF). Sam Houston State Athletics. p. 38.
  22. Sam Houston State Football Records – All Conference Players (PDF). Sam Houston State Athletics. pp. 39–40.
  23. Sam Houston State Football Records – Rushing (PDF). Sam Houston State Athletics. pp. 8–11.
  24. Sam Houston State Football Records – Passing (PDF). Sam Houston State Athletics. pp. 12–14.
  25. Sam Houston State Football Records – Receiving (PDF). Sam Houston State Athletics. pp. 16–18.
  26. Sam Houston State Football Records – Defensive (PDF). Sam Houston State Athletics. pp. 21–22.
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