Clash at Elliott T. Bowers Stadium: Sam Houston State Bearkats vs Southern Utah Thunderbirds
As the Sam Houston State Bearkats prepare to host the Southern Utah Thunderbirds at Elliott T. Bowers Stadium, fans are buzzing with anticipation for what promises to be a captivating encounter on November 19th. The Bearkats, coming off a mixed bag of performances, have shown both flashes of brilliance and areas in need of improvement throughout the season.
In their last home game on November 12th against Abilene Christian Wildcats, the SHS offense struggled to find consistency in their ground game, managing just 43 yards on 20 attempts. However, they did show some promise through the air with 319 passing yards and two touchdowns despite two interceptions. This aerial attack could be key against SUT's defense if they hope to secure a victory.
The SHS defense also had its share of challenges during that game as they failed to record any sacks or tackles for loss while allowing a hefty 45 points. However, looking back at their October 30th away victory over Tarleton State Texans shows that when firing on all cylinders, this team can be formidable defensively; they recorded three interceptions and forced three fumbles while racking up two sacks.
Special teams were another area where SHS excelled in that matchup against TSU with an impressive field goal percentage of 80 percent including a long kick from beyond the halfway line which could come into play should this upcoming game come down to fine margins.
Despite these ups and downs, it's worth noting that SHS has demonstrated resilience throughout the season. Their narrow win over Utah Tech Trailblazers on October 23rd showcased their defensive prowess with five sacks and an interception contributing significantly to keeping UTU limited to just 13 points.
Looking ahead at SUT's visit; if SHS can replicate their defensive tenacity from previous games while tightening up their offensive execution particularly in rushing plays – there is every reason for optimism among fans and players alike.
The upcoming clash is scheduled for November 19th at Elliott T. Bowers Stadium starting at noon local time (6 PM GMT). Fans who cannot make it to Huntsville can catch all the action live as it unfolds on ESPN+.