Sam Houston coach K.C. Keeler knew he needed a different formula to compete for a national championship.

Sure, the Kats reached the playoffs in each of his first four seasons with three appearances in the semifinals during that span, but Keeler was tired of seeing his team eliminated after the offense faced a good defense.

The four consecutive playoff teams from 2014-2015 had one of the best offenses in the country, but the Kats were defeated by an average of 46 points against the top teams in the country.

So Keeler decided it was time to make a change.

SHSU changed from an up-tempo offense that could score at will to more of a schematic offense that methodically moves down the field, allowing the defense time to rest between possessions.

The results thus far have been impressive. SHSU was allowing nearly 30 points per game during the Kats playoff runs. This year, the Bearkats defense is only allowing 17.5 points per game.

The defense had its most impressive performance of the year last Saturday, leading to a 42-14 win over UIW while securing the No. 2 seed in the FCS playoffs, guaranteeing the Kats will not have to leave the state of Texas for the playoffs. 

The Cardinals entered the game, having scored at least 42 points against all five of their previous opponents yet only produced 14 points in a game the Cardinals desperately needed to win.

Last Saturday, freshman quarterback sensation Cameron Ward was harassed by the defensive line throughout the game, held the top offense in the country to 305 yards, a whopping 292.4 yards below their season average, and held the nation’s second-best running back, Kevin Brown, to 64 yards.

The Kats defense has not allowed a running back to reach 100 yards in a game since the 2019 season opener against FBS New Mexico State and has held 15 of their past 18 opponents under 100 total rushing yards.

And the offense is still potent.

SHSU is averaging 44.8 points per game, which is on par with the offensive production from the previous playoff teams under Keeler.

No doubt Keeler understands the goal and expectation every year at Sam Houston is to win a national title. Now, he has the defense that could achieve the lofty goals.