SHSU went into the Div. 1-AA playoffs in 2001 after former SMU QB Josh McCown transferred to Sam Houston State and lead the Bearkats to its best season in almost 20 years. I've read some past posts on here and realize that there are some folks who think JMc 'abandoned' the Mustangs or, in their words, 'turned traitor'. They can think what they want. It's history and Josh is someone whom the Bearkats are proud to call 'one of their own'.SMUstang wrote:Didn't SHSU go deep into the NCAA playoffs, maybe to the championship game, just a few years ago?
In 2004, SHSU came within one game of playing for the Div. 1-AA national championship behind the direction of Texas A&M transfer QB Dustin Long (former back-up to TAMU QB Reggie McNeil).
SHSU had a new head football coach in 2005. Todd Whitten - a former Stephen F. Austin State University QB and assistant coach at SFA as well as at Sam Houston State - left a head coaching job at Div. II Tarleton State where he had been quite successful over the years to return to the HC job at Div. 1-AA Sam Houston State. Whitten's first year - in a word - sucked. He inherited a team that came within one game of playing for the national championship the previous year and basically sent it into a nosedive. We're all hoping that 2006 will be a different story.
One of SHSU's primary problems in 2005 was the confusion over who would be the Bearkats' QB. Noah Allen transferred to SHSU from the University of Oklahoma but an NCAA investigation lead to him being suspended for allegedly using steroids prior to the game against the University of Houston Cougars. That's when Texas Tech transfer QB Phillip Daugherty became the man under center. However, Daugherty never really 'clicked' with the offense and Whitten never jelled the offense to his style of football.
Of course, we've had the 'off season' to get things back on track. The spring football game will tell the Bearkat Nation where we might stand going into the 2006 season.
Our OOC schedule, besides SMU and Texas, consists of Arkansas-Monticello (Div. II) and Missouri State. We still have an 'open' date on Sept. 2. I see from your schedule that the Mustangs will be playing the Texas Tech Red Raiders in Lubbock that day. Do the Bearkat Nation a BIG favor and beat the crap out of them. We're still stinging from their QB's comments last season when he bragged that they were 'going to hang a 100' on us.
Again, we're looking forward to playing the Mustangs on September 16 in Dallas. Yes, jtstang, it's a bit early for 'predictions' but what's the harm in a little friendly 'off season' discussion?
SHSU will probably bring around 3,000 - 4,000 fans. A lot of students will probably travel for this one. It's only 2 hours and 45 minutes from Huntsville to Dallas. Most of our alumni live in the Greater Houston area and they'll travel, too. Especially to see Sam Houston play a Div. 1 school that they believe the 'Kats have a good chance to beat.
Who is this MM65 person that some of you are discussing?
If any of you want to visit our fan board in advance of gameday, it's www.katfans.com.
We promise we'll bring you a good game. And we're looking forward to your hospitality on The Boulevard. If there's one thing we Bearkats really know how to do, it's PARTY!
Whichever way it ends up, my team will win!
