blackfordpu
September 8th, 2012, 07:52 AM
(gobearkats.com)
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Today, when Sam Houston State kicks off the 2012 season against the University of Incarnate Word at 6 p.m. at Elliott T. Bowers Stadium, the book on the 2011 season officially closes.
It's a whole new season according to the Kats.
"We had a great year last year," senior offensive lineman Riley Smith said. "But now we have to get geared toward the 2012 season, which is now on our hands. We had a great year last year. We don't want it to be a fluke and we want to have another huge year."
The Bearkats are looking forward to starting a new run by using the same philosophy that got them to Frisco for the FCS title game a little more than eight months ago.
With several big games early in the schedule, including consecutive road trips to Baylor next week and then onto Conway, Ark., for Sam Houston's Southland Conference opener against Central Arkansas on Sept. 22, the Bearkats want to keep on taking it one game at a time.
"Coach (Willie) Fritz reiterated the other day to just stay 1-0 every week," Smith said. "Obviously, the goal is to win the Southland Conference again and to win the national championship. We're going to take it 1-0 every week, just like we did last year."
While the Bearkats have nearly every starter back from the 2011 squad, there will be a few new faces along the sidelines trying to make the offense even more potent.
Under the direction of new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Doug Ruse, wide receivers coach Matt Barrett and offensive line coach Bart Tatum, the Kats look to have just as explosive of a passing attack as they expect to have on the ground with standout running back Tim Flanders.
"They have a new philosophy and we're just trying to execute it to be successful," junior receiver Richard Sincere said of his new offensive coaches' schemes.
"We think they will help us utilize our speed even more against the defense. It can take our whole unit to a level that we haven't even seen before. We're just trying to focus in on what the coaches are preaching to us and we'll get it done."
Sam Houston will also have a few new additions on the offensive line after having to replace All-Americans Travis Watson and Chris Crockett.
Stepping up at center is senior Chris Rogers and filling in the void for Crockett is sophomore Joey White.
"It's been good. We had enough guys play last year with the rotation we were doing, which is kind of uncanny on the offensive line," Smith said. "Obviously you can't replace two All-Americans. After spring ball and fall camp, we're ready to rock. We're good buddies. We've got good chemistry."
The Bearkats know that they're as ready as they're going to be and can hardly wait to take the field today to kick off the 2012 campaign against Incarnate Word.
Chasing history - After two stellar seasons with the Kats, star running back Tim Flanders is on the verge of history. With 2,592 career rushing yards, Flanders is just 97 yards away from becoming Sam Houston's career rushing leader and one rushing touchdown from surpassing Luther Turner (1985-87) for most career rushing scores. Charles Harris (1991-94) is currently atop the Bearkats' record books for career rushing with 2,688 yards.
http://www.gobearkats.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=205681575&DB_OEM_ID=19900
Related Links
Today, when Sam Houston State kicks off the 2012 season against the University of Incarnate Word at 6 p.m. at Elliott T. Bowers Stadium, the book on the 2011 season officially closes.
It's a whole new season according to the Kats.
"We had a great year last year," senior offensive lineman Riley Smith said. "But now we have to get geared toward the 2012 season, which is now on our hands. We had a great year last year. We don't want it to be a fluke and we want to have another huge year."
The Bearkats are looking forward to starting a new run by using the same philosophy that got them to Frisco for the FCS title game a little more than eight months ago.
With several big games early in the schedule, including consecutive road trips to Baylor next week and then onto Conway, Ark., for Sam Houston's Southland Conference opener against Central Arkansas on Sept. 22, the Bearkats want to keep on taking it one game at a time.
"Coach (Willie) Fritz reiterated the other day to just stay 1-0 every week," Smith said. "Obviously, the goal is to win the Southland Conference again and to win the national championship. We're going to take it 1-0 every week, just like we did last year."
While the Bearkats have nearly every starter back from the 2011 squad, there will be a few new faces along the sidelines trying to make the offense even more potent.
Under the direction of new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Doug Ruse, wide receivers coach Matt Barrett and offensive line coach Bart Tatum, the Kats look to have just as explosive of a passing attack as they expect to have on the ground with standout running back Tim Flanders.
"They have a new philosophy and we're just trying to execute it to be successful," junior receiver Richard Sincere said of his new offensive coaches' schemes.
"We think they will help us utilize our speed even more against the defense. It can take our whole unit to a level that we haven't even seen before. We're just trying to focus in on what the coaches are preaching to us and we'll get it done."
Sam Houston will also have a few new additions on the offensive line after having to replace All-Americans Travis Watson and Chris Crockett.
Stepping up at center is senior Chris Rogers and filling in the void for Crockett is sophomore Joey White.
"It's been good. We had enough guys play last year with the rotation we were doing, which is kind of uncanny on the offensive line," Smith said. "Obviously you can't replace two All-Americans. After spring ball and fall camp, we're ready to rock. We're good buddies. We've got good chemistry."
The Bearkats know that they're as ready as they're going to be and can hardly wait to take the field today to kick off the 2012 campaign against Incarnate Word.
Chasing history - After two stellar seasons with the Kats, star running back Tim Flanders is on the verge of history. With 2,592 career rushing yards, Flanders is just 97 yards away from becoming Sam Houston's career rushing leader and one rushing touchdown from surpassing Luther Turner (1985-87) for most career rushing scores. Charles Harris (1991-94) is currently atop the Bearkats' record books for career rushing with 2,688 yards.
http://www.gobearkats.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=205681575&DB_OEM_ID=19900