Former SMU QB McCown Chalks Up Numbers in Debut at SHSU

[MrMustang1965]

Interesting comments by McCown (scroll down to about the middle of the story) about his time at SMU and now at SHSU. McCown scored the Bearkats' first touchdown of the 2001 season on an option play, romping 41-yards into the end zone on the team's first possession. He was also the teams' leading rusher in the contest.

From The Huntsville Item:
(Monroe, LA) - Sam Houston State's offense set the tone for Saturday evening's game against Louisiana-Monroe by taking the opening drive 72 yards for a touchdown. The Bearkats defense finished off the Indians by returning a fumble 35 yards for a fourth quarter touchdown, sealing a 20-9 victory in the season opener at Malone Stadium.

The victory ws Sam Houston State's second against a Division I-A opponent in the past two seasons. After defeating Louisiana-Lafayette 21-14 in last season's opener the Kats charged off the sideline in celebration. This time around, SHSU's players and coaches took the victory in stride since it was a game they felt they could win.

"This feels great," senior wide receiver Jonathon Cooper said. "We workd hard all summer. Since the Southwest game (last year) we've been preparing for this game right here. This is not one of the best D-1s, but it is a D-1."

"We feel like this is something to motivate us and get us going through the season," added Cooper, who caught game-high seven passes for 65 yards and one touchdown. "This is just one down, and we have 10 more to go."

The Bearkats needed just five plays to score their first touchdown of the season. One the second play of the game, senior transfer quarterback Josh McCown hit running back Joe Rauls on a screen pass that picked up 21 yards. Rauls gained eight yards on the next two carries, and on third down McCown ran an option play to the left, kept the ball and cut upfield for a 41-yard touchdown, giving SHSU a 6-0 lead.

In the fourth quarter with Sam Houston leading 13-9, the Indians gambled and lost. On fourth-and-one from the 50-yard line, Indians quarterback Andy Chance tossed an option pitch over running back Keith Thomas' head. SHSU defensive back Mark Hughes, a redshirt freshman from Arlington, scooped the ball up at the 37-yard line and raced in for a score.

Although the rain held off except for a few sprinkles in the first quarter, the turf and Malone Stadium was soaked. There even was standing water in places. Sam Houston State coach Ron Randleman saind jumping out to a quick lead was important with the poor field conditions.

"In field conditions like this, it's a lot easier to play from ahead than it is to play from behind," Randleman said. "We all remember the last time we played in bad conditions was against Southwest Texas, and I felt like we needed to get better in bad conditions. Today, we did a lot more things that you need to do to win in these conditions."

The Bearkats did not have a turnover, while forcing the Indians into five fumbles. Defensive linemen Kevin Randall, Reggi Reddick and Steven Hagler (on Hughes' recovery and touchdown) all forced fumbles, and Randall recovered one as well. Keith Davis had an interception and returned it 60 yards to the ULM 25, but the play was called back for a questionable roughing the passer penalty.

On offense, McCown completed 17 of 31 passes for 188 yards with no interceptions and one touchdown as the Bearkats gained a total of 265 yards. He was also the Kats' leading rusher with 39 yards. Rauls finished with 35 yards on 15 carries.

McCown, who has said the main reason he transferred from SMU after three years as a starter was because he was tired of losing, had a hard time finding the words to describe how good the victory felt afterward.

"This is the best feeling in the world," McCown said. "Coming in with a group of guys who accept you, you can work hard and show them what you can do, but until you get on that field - especially at quarterback - until you get on the field and go to battle with them, you still don't have that respect. Hopefully I got that from them tonight."

Louisiana-Monroe got a break on SHSU's second possession when a bad snap on fourth down prevented punter Ryan Bissetti from getting the kick off. The Indians took over at the 33-yard line, and bruising fullback Ivory Brown powered his way through several arm tackles for a 23-yard touchdown. Brown finished with a game-high 86 yards rushing.

Sam Houston State took a 13-7 lead with 1:04 left in the half when McCown hooked up with Cooper for a 12-yard touchdown. Cooper caught the ball at the five, cut inside and watched the only defender who could stop him slide past as he tried to throw on the brakes.

The Indians gained 246 yards in the game, but could not get crucial yardage when they needed it. Sam Houston State stuffed ULM all three times it opted to go for a first on fourth down, including the play Hughes scored the clinching touchdown.

On the opening drive of the third quarter, the Indians reached the one-yard line and lined up to go for it on fourth down, but were flagged five yards for a false start. They had to settle for Daniel Francis' 23-yard field goal.

INDIVIDUAL STATS ON MCCOWN
RUSHING
McCown - 9-39 (leading rusher)
PASSING - 17-31-0




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"Winning ain't everything...but it's a lot more fun than the alternative!"

[Charleston Pony]

I'm glad to see Josh doing well and having fun. I've got nothing against the kid. BUT...I will say, his quitting just confirmed to me that he was not the kind of leader SMU needed to help turn our football fortunes around. It's a corny old saying, but remains true in my book. When the going gets tough, the tough DONT quit!