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The Sam Houston Bearkats football program is the intercollegiate American football team for Sam Houston State University located in the U.S. state of Texas. The team competes in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) as a member of the Conference USA. Sam Houston's first football team was fielded in 1912. The team plays its home games at the 14,000-seat Bowers Stadium in Huntsville, Texas. On January 23, 2014, K. C. Keeler was named the 15th head coach in Sam Houston program history.[2]
| Sam Houston Bearkats football | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| |||
 | |||
| First season | 1912; 112 years ago | ||
| Athletic director | Bobby Williams | ||
| Head coach | Phil Longo 1st season, 0–0 (–) | ||
| Stadium | Bowers Stadium (capacity: 14,000) | ||
| Field surface | Real Grass Pro Artificial Surface | ||
| Location | Huntsville, Texas | ||
| NCAA division | Division I FBS | ||
| Conference | Conference USA | ||
| All-time record | 573–489–36 (.538) | ||
| Bowl record | 3–1–1 (.700) | ||
| Playoff record | 24–12 | ||
| Claimed national titles | 2 (NAIA): 1964 (Div. I FCS): 2020 | ||
| Conference titles | 15 | ||
| Rivalries | Stephen F. Austin (rivalry) Texas State (rivalry) | ||
| Colors | Orange and white[1] | ||
| Fight song | Bearkat Fight Song | ||
| Mascot | Sammy Bearkat | ||
| Marching band | Bearkat Marching Band | ||
| Outfitter | Under Armour | ||
| Website | GoBearkats.com | ||
In July 2021, the Bearkats left the Southland Conference to join the Western Athletic Conference, which relaunched its football league at the FCS level at that time.[3] Just a few months later, on November 5, 2021, the school accepted an invitation to join Conference USA at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) level beginning in the 2023–24 season.[4]
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Sam Houston has fielded a football team since 1912 and have played continuously since 1946 following World War II. The only times the Bearkats did not field a football team were in 1918 for World War I, from 1943 to 1945 for World War II, and 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic (although they did get a make-up season in the spring of 2021). The Bearkats competed independently from 1912 through 1923, in the Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association (TIAA) from 1924 to 1931, in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) from 1932 to 1981, in NCAA Division II from 1982 to 1985 and in the Southland Conference of the NCAA Division I FCS from 1986 to 2021. In July 2021, The Bearkats left the Southland Conference to join the Western Athletic Conference, which relaunched its football league at the FCS level at that time.[3] Just a few months later, on November 5, 2021, the school accepted an invitation to join FBS Conference USA beginning in the 2023–24 season.[4]
The Bearkats won their first FCS National Championship in the 2020–21 college football season, beating South Dakota State 23–21.[5]
The Bearkats have 15 conference championships, and have seen postseason NCAA playoff action in 13 seasons, with back-to-back NCAA Division I Championship game appearances in 2011–2012.[6] Sam Houston State also has 3 bowl victories in four games, and one claimed National Championship from NAIA in the 1964 season.[7]
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Ron Randleman is Sam Houston's and the Southland Conference's all-time winningest coach with 131 wins over a span of 23 years. Randleman also won conference Coach of the Year honors on four occasions, in the Gulf Star Conference in 1985 and 1986, and in the Southland Conference in 1991, and 2001.[8]
Paul Pierce coached the Bearkats to its only National Championship as a member of NAIA, and also won the 1965 Knute Rockne Little All-American Coach of the Year award.[9]
Willie Fritz coached Sam Houston to back-to-back conference championships and back-to-back national title game appearances in only three years, while being awarded the 2011 AFCA National Coach of the Year award and the 2012 Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year award. He was also named the 2012 AFCA Regional Coach of the Year.[10][11][12][13]
On January 23, 2014, former Delaware head coach K. C. Keeler was named the 15th head coach in Sam Houston program history. Under Keeler, Sam Houston consistently made deep runs in the FCS playoffs, making appearances every year from 2014-2017 and claimed the ultimate prize winning the FCS National Championship in 2020 (played in Spring 2021).
Keeler finished with a record of 97-39, winning four conference titles in his 11 seasons as head coach. The winner of the 2016 Eddie Robinson Award, as a Bearkat, Keeler became both the all-time FCS playoffs wins leader and the only coach to win an FCS title with two different schools. [14]
| Name | From | To | Record | Postseason | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | T | ||||
| S. R. Warner | 1912 | 1913 | 5 | 3 | 1 | |
| Gene Berry | 1914 | 1919 | 14 | 15 | 1 | |
| Mutt Gee | 1920 | 1922 | 6 | 7 | 4 | |
| J. W. Jones | 1923 | 1935 | 54 | 52 | 10 | 1930 Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association champions |
| Henry O. Crawford | 1936 | 1937 | 7 | 12 | 0 | |
| Puny Wilson | 1937 | 1951 | 50 | 49 | 6 | |
| Paul Pierce | 1952 | 1967 | 94 | 52 | 7 | 1955 Lone Star Conference co-champions, 1956 LSC champions, 1964 LSC, NAIA National co-champions, 3 bowl wins in 4 appearances |
| Tom Page | 1968 | 1971 | 20 | 19 | 3 | |
| Allen Boren | 1972 | 1973 | 7 | 14 | 0 | |
| Billy Tidwell | 1974 | 1977 | 11 | 30 | 1 | |
| Melvin Brown | 1978 | 1981 | 12 | 29 | 0 | |
| Ron Randleman | 1982 | 2004 | 131 | 125 | 3 | 1985 Gulf Star Conference co-champions, 1986 GSC champions, 2001 Southland Conference co-champions, 2004 SLC co-champions |
| Todd Whitten | 2005 | 2009 | 25 | 28 | 0 | |
| Willie Fritz | 2010 | 2014 | 40 | 15 | 0 | 2011 SLC champions, 2011 NCAA Division I Finalist, 2012 SLC co-champions 2012 NCAA Division I Finalist |
| K. C. Keeler | 2014 | 2024 | 97 | 39 | 0 | 2014 SLC co-champions, 2014 NCAA Division I Semifinalist, 2015 NCAA Division I Semifinalist, 2016 SLC champions, 2016 NCAA Division I Quarterfinalist, 2017 NCAA Division I Semifinalist, 2020 SLC champions, 2020 NCAA Division I National Champions, 2021 WAC champions, 2021 NCAA Division I Quarterfinalist |
| Brad Cornelsen† | 2024 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Composite record | 1912 | present | 573 | 489 | 36 | |
† Interim head coach
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National championships
Sam Houston has two national championships, with one during their tenure in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and the other coming in FCS. In their NAIA championship game, they played Concordia Cobbers for the championship, with the game resulting in a tie,[15] becoming co-champions with Moorhead.[16] In their third FCS championship game, they defeated South Dakota State to win their first FCS national championship.
| Season | Coach | Selector | Record | Result | Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | Paul Pierce | National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics | 9–1–1 | T 7–7 | Concordia College |
| 2020 | K. C. Keeler | NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision | 10–0 | W 23–21 | South Dakota State |
Conference championships
Sam Houston has won 15 conference titles, seven shared and eight outright.
| Year | Conference | Coach | Overall Record | Conference Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1930 | Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association | J. W. Jones | 9–1 | 5–0 |
| 1955† | Lone Star Conference | Paul Pierce | 6–1–2 | 5–1–1 |
| 1956 | 10–0 | 7–0 | ||
| 1961 | 8–1 | 7–0 | ||
| 1964†* | 9–1–1 | 5–1 | ||
| 1985† | Gulf Star Conference | Ron Randleman | 8–3 | 4–1 |
| 1986 | 9–3 | 4–1 | ||
| 2001† | Southland Conference | 10–3 | 5–1 | |
| 2004† | 8–3 | 4–1 | ||
| 2011 | Willie Fritz | 14–1 | 7–0 | |
| 2012† | 11–4 | 6–1 | ||
| 2014† | K. C. Keeler | 11–5 | 7–1 | |
| 2016 | 12–1 | 9–0 | ||
| 2020 | 10–0 | 6–0 | ||
| 2021 | Western Athletic Conference | 11–1 | 5–0 |
† Denotes shared title.[17]
Conference affiliations
- 1912–1923: Independent
- 1924–1930: Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association
- 1931–1981: Lone Star Conference (NAIA)
- 1982–1983: Lone Star Conference (NCAA Division II)
- 1984–1986: Gulf Star Conference (Division I FCS)
- 1987–2020: Southland Conference (Division I FCS)
- 2021–2022: Western Athletic Conference (Division I FCS)
- 2023–present: Conference USA (Division I FBS)
Bowl game appearances
Sam Houston appeared in five bowl games during their time in the NAIA, going 3–0–1 in these bowl games, with the final one notably being for the NAIA championship. Since joining Division I FBS, the Bearkats have been invited to one bowl game.
| Season | Bowl | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1952 | Shrimp Bowl† | Northeastern State (OK) | W 41–20 |
| 1953 | Refrigerator Bowl† | College of Idaho | W 14–12 |
| 1956 | Refrigerator Bowl† | Middle Tennessee State | W 27–13 |
| 1958 | Christmas Festival Bowl† | Northwestern State | L 11–18 |
| 1964 | Championship Bowl† | Concordia College | T 7–7 |
| 2024 | New Orleans Bowl | Georgia Southern | W 31–26 |
† non-Division I bowl game
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NCAA Division I-AA/FCS
The Bearkats have appeared in the I-AA/FCS playoffs 13 times with an overall record of 24–12. They were NCAA Division I National Champions in 2020.
| Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | First Round | Arkansas State | L 7–48 |
| 1991 | First Round | Middle Tennessee State | L 19–20 OT |
| 2001 | First Round Quarterfinals | Northern Arizona Montana | W 34–31 L 24–49 |
| 2004 | First Round Quarterfinals Semifinals | Western Kentucky Eastern Washington Montana | W 54–21 W 35–34 L 13–34 |
| 2011 | Second Round Quarterfinals Semifinals National Championship Game | Stony Brook Montana State Montana North Dakota State | W 34–27 W 49–13 W 31–28 L 6–17 |
| 2012 | Second Round Quarterfinals Semifinals National Championship Game | Cal Poly Montana State Eastern Washington North Dakota State | W 18–16 W 34–16 W 45–42 L 13–39 |
| 2013 | First Round Second Round | Southern Utah Southeastern Louisiana | W 51–20 L 29–30 |
| 2014 | First Round Second Round Quarterfinals Semifinals | Southeastern Louisiana Jacksonville State Villanova North Dakota State | W 21–17 W 37–26 W 34–31 L 3–35 |
| 2015 | First Round Second Round Quarterfinals Semifinals | Southern Utah McNeese State Colgate Jacksonville State | W 42–39 W 34–29 W 48–21 L 10–62 |
| 2016 | Second Round Quarterfinals | Chattanooga James Madison | W 41–36 L 7–65 |
| 2017 | Second Round Quarterfinals Semifinals | South Dakota Kennesaw State North Dakota State | W 54–42 W 34–27 L 13–55 |
| 2020 | First Round Quarterfinals Semifinals National Championship Game | Monmouth North Dakota State James Madison South Dakota State | W 21–15 W 24–20 W 38–35 W 23–21 |
| 2021 | Second Round Quarterfinals | Incarnate Word Montana State | W 49–42 L 19–42 |
NAIA
The Bearkats appeared in the NAIA playoffs one time, with a combined record of 1–0–1.
| Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | Semifinals National Championship |
Findlay Concordia–Moorhead |
W, 32–12 T, 7–7 |
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Pritchett Field (1912–1985)
The Bearkats' home for football was on Pritchett Field for 73 years (1912–1985) beginning with their first football game against Rice University in 1912. The field was named after Joseph Pritchett, brother of the university's fourth president Henry Carr Pritchett, and former owner of the land the field rests on.
The final football game played on Pritchett Field was a victory for the Bearkats with a score of 51–7, defeating Washburn University. Sam Houston Football began playing games at Bowers Stadium following the 1985 season. The complex is currently home to Sam Houston Women's Soccer and Club Lacrosse.[18]
On April 18, 2013,[19] football was played on Pritchett Field for the first time since 1985 for the annual Orange-White spring game. The event also included the presentation of the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award to head coach Willie Fritz.[12]
Bowers Stadium (1986–present)
Bowers Stadium, formerly Bearkat Stadium (1986–1989), is currently home to both Sam Houston Football and the Track and Field programs beginning with the 1986 season. Bowers Stadium has a capacity of 14,000. However, 16,148 fans packed Bowers Stadium in 1994 to watch Alcorn State led by NFL bound quarterback Steve McNair in a 48–23 SAM HOUSTON victory on regional ABC-TV.[20][21]
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Stephen F. Austin
The Sam Houston/Stephen F. Austin rivalry game, also known as the Battle of the Piney Woods, is a yearly rivalry held at NRG Stadium in Houston. The two teams have met 91 times with Sam Houston leading the series 60–34–2. The Battle of the Piney Woods is Texas' second longest FCS rivalry. The most recent meeting ending with the Bearkats defeating the Lumberjacks 21–20 and clinching their 10th win in a row. However, the rivalry is now in question as Sam Houston left the Western Athletic Conference for Conference USA in 2023.
Texas State
Sam Houston's second longest rivalry (dating back to 1915) is Texas State University. The two teams held annual rivalry games in mainly football and basketball with Texas State boasting a 50–37–5 record in football (last game in 2011) and a 64–51 record in men's basketball (last game in 2012). The two universities are in the same university system (sharing many similarities) and competed in the same athletic conferences until Texas State left the Southland Conference for the Western Athletic Conference in 2012, eventually ending up in the Sun Belt Conference only a year later in 2013. The football rivalry has since been renewed beginning in the 2024 season.
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Bearkats in the National Football League
Sam Houston has had 30 alumni play in the National Football League, with 21 players selected in the Draft.[22][23] During the 2018 NFL draft, the Oakland Raiders selected defensive lineman P. J. Hall in the second round. This represents the highest a Bearkat player has been drafted by an NFL team.
- Tucker Addington (2022-Present), LS, New England Patriots, Washington Commanders, Miami Dolphins
- Scorpio Babers (2008–2009), CB, Miami Dolphins, Green Bay Packers
- Michael Bankston (1992–2000), DL, Arizona Cardinals, Cincinnati Bengals
- Campbell Black (1932–1935), QB, Chicago Cardinals
- Stan Blinka (1979–1983), LB, New York Jets
- Rhett Bomar (2009–2012), QB, New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings, Oakland Raiders
- Davion Davis (2019–Present), WR, Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans, Arizona Cardinals, Washington Commanders
- Keith Davis (2002–2008), DB, Dallas Cowboys
- Tim Denton (1998–2000), DB, Washington Redskins, San Diego Chargers
- Johnnie Dirden (1978–1981), WR, Houston Oilers, Kansas City Chiefs, Pittsburgh Steelers
- Trey Diller (2013), WR, Carolina Panthers
- Matt Dominguez (2001), TE, Denver Broncos
- Lac Edwards (2016–2021), P, New York Jets, Carolina Panthers
- Timothy Flanders (2014–2015), RB, New Orleans Saints, Cleveland Browns
- Timothy Flanders CFL (2015–2021), RB/WR, BC Lions, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Calgary Stampeders, Ottawa RedBlacks
- P. J. Hall (2018–Present), DT, Oakland Raiders
- Odie Harris (1988–1995), DB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns, Arizona Cardinals, Houston Oilers
- Keith Heinrich (2002–2004, 2007), TE, Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Jimmy Hill (1955–1966), DB, Chicago/St. Louis Cardinals, Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs
- Ed Kallina (1928), OL, Chicago Bears
- Garry Kimble (1987), CB, Washington Redskins
- Tristin McCollum (2022-Present), DB, Philadelphia Eagles
- Zyon McCollum (2022-Present), DB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Josh McCown (2002–2020), QB, Arizona Cardinals, Detroit Lions, Oakland Raiders, Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers, Chicago Bears, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Houston Texans
- Guido Merkens (1978–1987), DB QB P WR, Houston Oilers, New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles
- Mike Nelms (1980–1984), DB, Washington Redskins
- Ralph Ruthstrom (1945–1949), FB HB QB, Cleveland/LA Rams, Washington Redskins, Baltimore Colts
- Julian Spence (1956–1961), DB, Chicago Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Houston Oilers
- D. D. Terry (2007–2008), RB, Jacksonville Jaguars, Houston Texans
- George Wright (1970–1972), DT, Baltimore Colts, Cleveland Browns
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National awards
Sam Houston has had a total of 96 players selected into the College Football All-America Team, including 66 NCAA All-Americans and 30 NAIA All-Americans. A number of these players have also been considered for major national awards.[24] In 2016, quarterback Jeremiah Briscoe became the first Bearkat to win the Payton Award. In 2017 he became the first Bearkat to win two Payton Awards and only the second FCS player to win multiple Payton Awards after former Appalachian State quarterback Armanti Edwards became the first in 2009.
Major honors
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Conference awards
Sam Houston has had 750 All-Conference selections and honorable mentions, including 15 in Conference USA, 28 in the Western Athletic Conference, 433 in the Southland Conference, 27 in the Gulf Star Conference, 239 in the Lone Star Conference, and 8 in the Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association.[25]
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Rushing records
- Most rushing attempts, career: 999, Timothy Flanders (2010–2013)
- Most rushing attempts, season: 298, Timothy Flanders (2011)
- Most rushing attempts, game: 39, Charles Harris vs North Texas (1993)
- Most rushing yards, career: 5,664, Timothy Flanders (2010–2013)
- Most rushing yards, season: 1,644, Timothy Flanders (2011)
- Most rushing yards, game: 287, Timothy Flanders vs Montana (2011)
- Most rushing touchdowns, career: 66, Timothy Flanders (2010–2013)
- Most rushing touchdowns, season: 22, Timothy Flanders (2011)
- Most rushing touchdowns, game: 5, Timothy Flanders (September 20, 2011, vs. New Mexico)
- Longest rush from scrimmage: 90 yards, Charles Harris vs Rice (1993), Arthur Louis vs SFA (1978), Dennis Gann vs Texas A&I (1966)
- Most games with at least 100 rushing yards, career: 30, Timothy Flanders (2010–2013)
- Most games with at least 100 rushing yards, season: 10, Timothy Flanders (2012)
- Most games with at least 200 rushing yards, career: 2, Charles Harris (1993), D. D. Terry (2006), Timothy Flanders (2011–2012)
- Most games with at least 200 rushing yards, season: 2, Charles Harris (1993, D. D. Terry (2006)[26]
Passing records
- Most passing attempts, career: 1,328, Jeremiah Briscoe (2015–17)
- Most passing attempts, season: 579, Jeremiah Briscoe (2017)
- Most passing attempts, game: 69, Rhett Bomar vs Southeastern Louisiana (2008)
- Most passing completions, career: 1,328, Jeremiah Briscoe (2015–17)
- Most passing completions, season: 333, Dustin Long (2004)
- Most passing completions, game: 38, Dustin Long vs Eastern Washington at FCS Quarterfinals (2004)
- Most passing yards, career: 11,488, Jeremiah Briscoe (2015–17)
- Most passing yards, season: 5,003, Jeremiah Briscoe (2004)
- Most passing yards, game: 577, Dustin Long vs McNeese State (2004)
- Most passing touchdowns, career: 116, Jeremiah Briscoe (2015–17)
- Most passing touchdowns, season: 57, Jeremiah Briscoe (2016)
- Most passing touchdowns, game: 7, Jeremiah Briscoe (2016)
- Longest pass completion: 99 yards, Binky Ford to Frankie Reescano vs Howard Payne University (1980)
- Most games with at least 300 passing yards, season: 11, Jeremiah Briscoe (2016)
- Most Victories as a Starting Quarterback: 39, Brian Bell (2010–2013)[27]
Receiving records
- Most receptions, career: 294, Yedidiah Louis (2014–2017)
- Most receptions, season: 99, Jarrod Fuller (2004)
- Most receptions, game: 13, Four Times: Jason Mathenia (2004), Torrance Williams (2013), Davion Davis (2017, 2018)
- Most receiving yards, career: 3,942, Yedidiah Louis (2014–2017)
- Most receiving yards, season: 1,648, Nathan Stewart (2017)
- Most receiving yards, game: 268, Nathan Stewart vs McNeese (2016)
- Most touchdown receptions, career: 40, Davion Davis (2015–2018)
- Most touchdown receptions, season: 18, Jonathon Cooper (2001)
- Most touchdown receptions, game: 4, Matt Dominguez vs Nicholls State (1999)
- Longest pass reception: 97 yards, Frankie Reescano from Blinky Ford vs Howard Payne (1980)
- Most games with at least 100 receiving yards, career: 16, Nathan Stewart (2016–2019)[28]
Defensive records
- Most tackles, career: 538, Stan Blinka (1975–1978)
- Most tackles, season: 211, Stan Blinka (1978)
- Most tackles, game: 24, Stan Blinka (1978 vs Stephen F. Austin)
- Most sacks, career: 42, P. J. Hall (2014–2017)
- Most sacks, season: 15, Andre Finley (1988)
- Most sacks, game: 4, Michael Bankston (1991 vs Angelo State), Will Henry (2010 vs Nicholls State)
- Most interceptions, career: 14, Daxton Swanson (2009–2012)
- Most interceptions, season: 8, Daxton Swanson (2011)
- Most interceptions, game: 3, Charles Stanley vs. Howard Payne (1977), Mark Hughes vs. McNeese State (2004)[29]
Future non-conference opponents announced as of December 11, 2024.[30]
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | 2030 | 2031 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNLV | at Troy | at Louisiana–Monroe | at Colorado State | Troy | Georgia Southern | at Tulsa |
| at Hawaii | Tulsa | Colorado State | at Houston | at Georgia Southern | Oregon State | |
| at Texas | at Texas Tech | at TCU | Louisiana–Monroe | at UNLV | ||
| at Oregon State |
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