Small College Spotlight: Sam Houston State winning a different way this season

Sam Houston State football (Kelly Guess)

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This is not the Sam Houston State football team that many have become accustomed to under head coach K.C. Keeler.

Since Keeler took over as the leader of the Bearkats prior to the 2014 season, they have been known for their prolific offense.

While multiple injuries at quarterback have hampered the SHSU offense this season, the Kats have relied on one of the best defenses in the country.

A stingy defense and great special teams play were key last week as SHSU upset No. 9 Nicholls at home, 17-0, last Saturday to earn the Dave Campbell’s Small College Team of the Week honors.

“We went into the game with the philosophy that we were going to play special teams and feed off of our defense and do enough offensively to hold the ball a little bit and points some points on the board,” Keeler said.

The Kats executed their gameplan to perfection.

Punter Matt McRobert earned Southland Conference Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance. McRobert placed three of his seven punts inside the Nicholls 20-yard line and was key to holding the Colonels to an average starting field position of their own 21-yard line.

“That was part of the philosophy,” said Keeler. “In our team meeting on Friday, I said, ‘If you play on special teams, stand up.’ We had a big group stand up and I said, ‘You’re going to affect the game tomorrow. You’re going to be as big as any offensive or defensive play.’ In a game like this every five yards makes a big difference.”

The Bearkats stingy defense is something that Keeler and his coaching staff decided they needed to build this team back into a national title contender.

“We rebuilt ourselves and this is the team I want. This is a team that we think can be a national contender with the way we’re built,” said Keeler. “This is a really good football team I have and one of the favorite teams I’ve ever coached, and one of the best defenses I’ve ever seen.”

The Kats are currently allowing 16.1 points per game, which is on pace to be by far the best defense during Keeler’s head coaching tenure. Prior to this season, the best SHSU defense since Keeler became head coach allowed 28.1 points per game; a feat accomplished three times in Keeler’s first five years at the helm.

“Our linebackers will tell you that the difference this year is that our defensive line is playing very unselfish and they make guys double team them which leaves our linebackers clean,” said Keeler.

The Kats linebackers were outstanding Saturday and have been a huge reason behind the success of the defense this year.

Royce See earned Southland Defensive Player of the Week honors last week for recording 10 tackles, two tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and forced a fumble in the win. Fellow linebacker Hunter Brown was equally impressive with 10 tackles, seven solo, one quarterback hurry and recovered a fumble.

“The leadership we get from our linebackers is so critical,” said Keeler. “Hunter Brown and Royce See are two of our captains, two great leaders and they’re playing at a much higher level this year because of the defensive line. It’s all coming together defensively.”

While the SHSU offense has not been quite as potent as fans have become used to, injuries at the quarterback position have been the main reason.

“We have five quarterbacks in the program and four are injured which is mind-boggling,” said Keeler. “I have to give Ty Brock a ton of credit for going out there and trying to battle through his injury.”

Ty Brock was able to start for the Kats last Saturday but split time with redshirt freshman walk-on wide receiver Ryan Humphries due to his movement being limited due to injury.

“Ty was healthier last weekend and we taught Ryan Humphries a package and we just found ways to get some first downs and move the ball a little bit and make some explosive plays and our defense was just incredible,” said Keeler.

SHSU has another big game this Saturday on the road against No. 10 Central Arkansas. The Kats are currently in a four-way tie atop the Southland Conference standings and could take control of the conference title race with a win this week.

The Kats have a bye following this week and starting quarterback Eric Schmid could return following the week off. SHSU has a chance to be a dangerous team and make a deep run in the FCS playoffs once they get healthy.

“Our kids know that if we go get this win that we control everything and we get everyone back healthy so that’s the mindset our kids have,” said Keeler. “To beat the No. 9 team in the country and play basically without a quarterback – just imagine how good this team will be when we get a healthy Ty Brock, or we get Eric Schmid back. No one will want to face us.”

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