WEEK 6 GAME SCHEDULE
Thursday October 3. 2024
Sam Houston Bearkats vs Texas-El Paso Miners
SERIES HISTORY
• Sam Houston and UTEP will be meeting for the fourth time, including the third time in El Paso • Thursday will be the Kats’ first trip to the Sun Bowl since 2003 when the Miners blasted the Kats by a 59-14 margin • That day the Kats had 6 turnovers and allowed a blocked punt in what was their second straight game vs a 1-A opponent
SERIES VS. SAM HOUSTON
UTEP is 3-0 versus Sam Houston and 2-0 against the Bearkats in El Paso. The Miners rallied from 14 points down to defeat the Bearkats 37-34 on Oct. 25, 2023, in Huntsville, Texas, in last season’s first contest as CUSA foes. K Buzz Flabiano’s 32-yard field goal gave the Miners the go-ahead lead with three seconds remaining on the clock. UTEP was down 27-13 following a Sam Houston field goal at the 6:14 mark of the third quarter. RB Mike Franklin got UTEP within seven points (27-20) after his three-yard touchdown, and WR Kelly Akharaiyi hauled in a 25-yard touchdown reception from QB Cade McConnell to tie the game at 27 with 11:25 left in the game. QB Kevin Hurley followed with a one-yard rushing score to give the Miners a 34-27 advantage. However, Sam Houston tied the game at 34 after a four-yard rushing score. McConnell threw for 206 yards on 12-of-22 passing, while Flabiano went a perfect 3-of-3 on field goals with makes of 23, 43, and 32 yards. DB Josiah Allen tallied six tackles, while CB AJ Odums and S Oscar Moore each chipped in with five stops. DE Maurice Westmoreland recorded four tackles with a sack and 2.5 TFLs. The Miners defeated Sam Houston 59-14 in the Sun Bowl on Sept. 27, 2003, while winning the first-ever matchup 17-10 on Sept. 29, 1990 in El Paso.
Sam Houston Notes
KATS LOOKING TO MOVE TO 2-0 IN CUSA PLAY WITH TRIP TO SUN BOWL
• The Bearkats are coming off the largest comeback in school history, erasing a 22-0 deficit in the first quarter with a 40-39 win over Texas State on Saturday at NRG Stadium • The Bearkats have won 7 of their last 9 games overall after starting their venture into FBS with an 0-8 start in 2023 • Sam Houston is the first FBS program to start a season 0-5 and win at least 4 of its first 5 games the following year since Georgia Southern in 2017 an 2018. The Eagles went 0-9 to start the 2017 season and started 7-1 in 2018 on their way to a 10-3 year and a win in the Camelia Bowl n Sam Houston is averaging 34.0 points per game in its 4 wins. Each win is over a G5 team • The Kats have outrushed their opponents in each of their 4 wins, holding their opponent under 100 yards on the ground each time. In those 4 victories, the Kats are averaging 253.3 yards on the ground to just 68.0 for their opponents • Quarterback Hunter Watson and kicker Christian Pavon were named the CUSA Offensive and Special Teams Players of the Week on Monday after their efforts vs Texas State. It is the second time this season the pair has earned those nods in the same week, also doing so after the Kats’ Week 1 win at Rice n Sam Houston will be wearing its second set of throwback decals on their helmets for the second straight week on Thursday, with Bearkats in arching white script with a white stripe down the middle of the orange hats. The arching script mark originally was worn from 1989-93 on a navy blue helmet before Sam Houston moved to orange helmets in 1994. The mark remained on the side of the hats through the 1996 season, while the orange headwear carries on to today
THE LAST TIME
• Sam Houston led by as much as 14 points in the second half, but outscored the Bearkats 24-7over the final 16:07 to pull out the win in 2023 at Bowers Stadium n UTEP’s Buzz Flabiano hit a 32-yard field goal to break a 34-34 tie with only 3 seconds remaining in the game to cap the comeback for the Miners n Keegan Shoemaker threw for 202 yards and 2 touchdowns, while John Gentry rushed for 71 yards and a score n The loss dropped the Kats to 0-8 for the 2023 season; they registered their first win a week later vs Kennesaw State and have won 7 of 9 games overall since the loss to the Miners last year
Texas-El Paso Notes
AT A GLANCE
UTEP RETURNS TO THE 915 FOR A THURSDAY CONTEST, HOSTS SAM HOUSTON ON “EL CHUCO” NIGHT UTEP
following a two-game road swing, makes its way back to host Conference USA foe Sam Houston for a midweek madness showdown on Thursday, Oct. 3. The Miners and Bearkats are set for a 7 p.m. kickoff in Sun Bowl Stadium. “El Chuco” Night will be celebrated with UTEP Athletics’ partner Ysleta del Sur Pueblo as the game sponsor.
FIRST GAME IN EL PASO SINCE 2003
Sam Houston is returning to the Sun Bowl for the first time since Sept. 27, 2003.
CLEANING UP THE MISCUES UTEP
has committed four penalties the last two games; the least in a two-game span since 2018.
CADE UNDER CENTER
QB Cade McConnell tied his career best with a pair of touchdown passes at Colorado State.
KENNY KILLED IT
WR Kenny Odom hit the century mark for the first time in his career, posting a career-high 128 receiving yards at CSU.
FINDING THE END ZONE TWICE
Kenny Odom scored two touchdowns in one game for the first time in his career after hauling in a pair at CSU.
KAM’S ALL-PURPOSE YARDS MB
Kam Thomas leads CUSA in all-purpose yards per game (110.5); ranks third in with 442 all-purpose yards.
LEADING TACKLER
LB Dorian Hopkins leads CUSA with 11.3 tackles per game; ranks second with 45 total tackles.
BRYTON SHINES
DE Bryton Thompson recorded career bests in total tackles (12) and tackles for loss (2.5) at CSU.
ABOUT SAM HOUSTON
The Bearkats came up with an upset 40-39 victory over Texas State on Sept. 28 in Houston at NRG Stadium. Sam Houston K Christian Pavon nailed a 24-yard field goal with six seconds remaining in the game to lift the Bearkats. Pavon got his squad within two points (39-37) following a 46-yard make with 9:28 remaining. After falling behind 22-0 after the first quarter, Sam Houston outscored Texas State 21-10 in the second quarter to find itself down 32-21 at the half. The Bearkats defense stepped up in the second half, allowing only seven points. Texas State used its last TD to take a 39-21 advantage before Sam Houston scored 19 unanswered points. Sam Houston amassed 298 yards on the ground and five rushing scores. Sam Houston QB Hunter Watson led the way with 105 yards on 27 carries and two touchdowns, while Jay Ducker ran for 69 yards and three scores. Overall, the Bearkats have won three consecutive games, averaging 30.0 points per game (second in CUSA). Sam Houston is averaging 216.0 rushing yards per game, ranking second in CUSA and 19th in FBS. Its 1,080 rushing yards rank first in conference and 12th nationally.
CLEANING UP THE MISCUES
UTEP only committed two penalties at Colorado State on Sept. 21. Following a 14-penalty game against SUU on Sept. 7, the Miners have committed only four penalties in the last two games, with a pair coming at [RV] Liberty on Sept. 14. It is the least penalties (four) in a two-game span since committing only four in two games in 2018. The Miners drew only one flag against Middle Tennessee on Nov. 10 and three at WKU the following week.
FROM 14 PENALTIES TO ONLY TWO
The Miners only committed a season-low two penalties for 25 yards at [RV] Liberty after piling on 14 for 122 yards against SUU on Sept. 7. There were only four flags accepted as the Flames were also only penalized twice. They were the least penalties committed by a UTEP team since Nov. 25, 2018. That contest was against Southern Miss in the Sun Bowl where Scotty Walden was on the Golden Eagles’ staff. That game also saw only four total penalties committed.
Friday October 4, 2024
Jacksonville State Gamecocks vs Kennesaw State Owls
SERIES HISTORY …
• Friday night’s matchup will be fourth all-time meeting between Kennesaw State and Jacksonville State. • Friday’s game will be the first meeting since an overtime thriller in 2022 that Jacksonville State won, 35-28. • It’s always a fight every time the two teams meet, having all but one game decided by 10 points or fewer.
Jacksonville State Notes
Quick Hits
• The 2024 season marks the second year as a member of the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) for Jax State. • Jax State is perfect 4-0 over the last two years when coming off a bye under Rich Rodriguez. • The Gamecocks open Conference USA play with the Owls, which are members of the league for the first time. • Jax State posted a 6-2 record last season in Conference USA play which was their first season as members of the league. • The Gamecocks are 2-0 in their conference opener under Rich Rodriguez having beaten Kennesaw State in the 2022 ASUN opener in overtime and Sam Houston in overtime in the 2023 Conference USA opener. • Jax State and Kennesaw State are separated by 85 miles; the only shorter travel distance in Conference USA is UTEP and New Mexico State (40 miles). • The Gamecocks are coming off a 9-4 record in 2023, their first-year in FBS. They became the first team to qualify for and win a Bowl Game in their first-year eligible to do so. • Jax State head coach Rich Rodriguez is in seventh place among active FBS head coaches in career wins. In his 27th season as a head coach, Rodriguez has a 182-128-2 career record. • The Gamecocks had an average attendance of 20,033 in 2023, the highest mark of any school in Conference USA and the second highest average attendance in school history behind 20,598 in 2015.
Kennesaw State Notes
TOP STORYLINES
• Kennesaw State begins its new era in earnest on Friday night when it plays its first Conference USA game against a familiar foe in Jacksonville State to wrap up a quick two-game homestand. • Friday night’s matchup will be fifth all-time meeting between Kennesaw State and Jacksonville State and the first since KSU fell in an overtime thriller, 35-28, in 2022 – the Owls’ lone loss in the series. • The two teams have battled in some instant classics, having all but one game decided by 10 points or fewer. • Friday night’s game will also mark the third nationally televised matchup in Kennesaw State’s history and the first of four-straight nationally broadcast contests. The Owls will play three-straight games on CBS Sports Network before a Wednesday night affair on ESPN2. • Last Saturday was the final Saturday gameday for Kennesaw State for 49 days as the Owls will play on a Friday, Tuesday and two Wednesdays. • A bright spot for the Owls has been the play of its defense that currently ranks fourth in Conference USA in total yards allowed (392.8). • Helping lead that effort has been r-Jr. DB/OLB Sidney Porter (25), r-Fr. DB Isaac Paul (22) and Jr. DB Milon Jones (20)., who top the team totals in tackles • Porter turned in 2.5 tackles for loss last Saturday against UT Martin, while Jones recorded a career-high 10 tackles on the night. • r-Jr. WR Tykeem Wallace continues to do it all, averaging 87.0 all-purpose yards per game with 98 receiving yards and 241 kickoff return yards on the season. • Kennesaw State opens the highly anticipated season with a host of new faces, welcoming in 49 newcomers to the Black and Gold – good for the second-most in Conference USA and Top 30 in the country. • One of the most relied upon newcomers has been Fr. OL Jacob Norcross, who has played the most snaps by any freshman center in the country at 244. Among all frosh offensive linemen, Norcross ranks sixth nationally.
A KENNESAW STATE WIN WOULD …
• be its first-ever NCAA FBS victory in school history. • be its first win as an NCAA FBS program. • be its first conference win as a member of Conference USA. • move it to 1-4 on the season. • snap a four-game losing streak overall. • move it to 4-1 against Jacksonville State. • move it to 1-1 against members of Conference USA. • move it to 45-11 inside Fifth Third Stadium.
A KENNESAW STATE LOSS WOULD …
• fall to 0-5 for the first time in program history. • extend its losing streak to five games. • move it to 3-2 against Jacksonville State. • move it to 44-12 inside Fifth Third Stadium. • move it to 16-6 against conference foes inside Fifth Third Stadium.
OFFENSE
• Kennesaw State has boasted one of the top offenses over the last few years, despite transitioning from an option system to one with multiple formations. • Leading the offense this season is co-offensive coordinator/QBs coach Chandler Burks and co-offensive coordinator/TEs coach Stewart Cook. • Burks was promoted to co-offensive coordinator after four years as the Owls’ quarterbacks coach. • A standout QB at Kennesaw State, every KSU passing or quarterback rushing record was either set by Burks, a teammate of his who benefited from his leadership, or played under his tutelage. • At just 28 years old, Burks is tied for the youngest offensive coordinators in the country. • Also leading the offense this season will be veteran coach, Cook, who spent nine seasons coaching the tight ends and tackles at KSU prior to being promoted to co-offensive coordinator. • Under Cook’s mentorship, the tackles have helped pave the way for an explosive running attack that ranked amount the top three nationally in FCS from 2017-22 – leading the country in 2017 and 2019. • Cook also built the tight end position from the ground up at Kennesaw State as the program shifted from a spread option attack to a more multiple schematic. • Last year, redshirt sophomore Carson Kent shined from the tight end position, ranking third on the team with 150 yards receiving over the Owls’ nine-game schedule. • Regardless of the offensive scheme, Kennesaw State is going to attack the trenches and has won the ground game. • No team in the conference. • Through four games this season, Kennesaw State’s struggle has been in staying on schedule and creating manageable third downs. • Through four games, Kennesaw State is averaging 8.5 yards to go on third downs. • Kennesaw State set team single-game records with 35 passing attempts against UT Martin last Saturday and tied the single-game record with 17 completions.
QUARTERBACKS
• Kennesaw State will enter Conference USA and FBS football with a young group under center. • Kennesaw State’s quarterback group features just 21 games of combined experience and 11 starts – four of which came this season. • Redshirt sophomore Davis Bryson boasts the most experience as an Owl, appearing in four games last season, including one start. • In his first true action as the Owls’ starting quarterback against UTSA (Aug. 31), Bryson performed admirably, throwing for 202 yards and a passing touchdown. • Against UT Martin last Saturday, Bryson set the school record for single-game passing attempts with 34 and was one shy of tying the record for completions at 16. • Scoring two touchdowns on just 24 attempts last season, Bryson averaged a touchdown every 12 carries. • Bryson’s 206 rushing yards ranked second among returning Owls entering 2024. • Kennesaw State also added two quarterbacks in the offseason from the transfer portal in redshirt sophomore Khalib Johnson (Louisville/Blinn College) and redshirt freshman Earl Woods III (Jacksonville State). • Johnson appeared in seven games at junior college Blinn College, recording four 100-yard passing games. • Johnson made his first appearance on the final drive of the first half for Kennesaw State, entering the game due to an injury to Bryson.
DEFENSE
• Johnson was terrific in his season debut at UTSA last Saturday, making seven stops (second on the team) and a career-high 2.0 huge sacks for a total loss of 22 yards. • Through four games, Johnson leads all linebackers and is fourth on the team overall with 19 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks, • Johnson ranks tied for fourth in CUSA in sacks and tied for eighth in tackles for loss. • Just over his last eight games alone, Johnson has recorded 44 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. • Last season, Johnson ranked second on the team in tackles for loss, making 6.0 for 29 yards, including 2.5 sacks for 19. He also forced two fumbles and recovered one. • Also looking to continue to lead is senior Jalen Barnun, who was second among returning linebackers with 30 tackles last season. • Redshirt junior Garland Benyard will also come off his redshirt season last year, amassing 19 tackles in his only four games. • Benyard enters as the tackles leader at Kennesaw State, having recorded 117 stops in his career in the Black and Gold. Only Jordan Miles has more in college, thanks to a three-year career at Eastern Illinois. • Benyard’s brother, Gabriel, is also a member of Kennesaw State’s football team at wideout. • Coming out with a force at UTSA (Aug. 31) was redshirt junior Baron Hopson, who recorded a career-high and game-high 13 tackles. • Despite battling injuries in the first three games, Hopson ranks third on the team with 16 tackles and a pass breakup this season. • Through three games, Hopson is the third-highest graded defender in Conference USA and the top-graded linebacker, according to Pro Football Focus, grading out at 82.2 on the season. • Hopson missed last week against UT Martin due to an upper body injury. • Junior Sidney Porter, who has played most of his career as a defensive back, transitioned to outside linebacker last Saturday against UT Martin to much success, racking up eight stops and 2.5 tackles for loss.
SPECIALISTS
• Where special teams have sometimes been Kennesaw State’s Achilles’ heel, in the season opener against UTSA, it was a strength. • Redshirt junior kicker Austin Welch made his first collegiate field goal on the first points of the game for Kennesaw State when he converted from 48 yards out against UTSA. • The 48-yard field goal is tied for second-longest in school history (50 yds. by Conor Cummins at Eastern Kentucky, Nov. 19, 2022) and is the longest by a KSU kicker since Cummins converted on a 46-yarder vs. Tennessee State (Oct. 7, 2023). • Welch would also connect on 34- and 31-yard attempts, becoming the fifth kicker in program history to make three or more field goals in a single game. • In Week 1 in FBS, Welch ranked 11th nationally in “Points Added Above Replacement” and led Conference USA. • Welch improved to 4-for-4 against Louisiana (Sept 7), kicking home a 30-yard attempt. • Welch would remain perfect against San Jose State (Sept. 14), connecting on a 32-yard field goal to move to 5-for-5. • Welch continued his streak by going 2-for-2 against UT Martin last Saturday, becoming the first player in Kennesaw State history to start 7-for-7 on field goals. • Welch’s first field goal against UT Martin was a buzzer-beating 49-yard field goal to end the first half and was the second-longest in school history. • Another bright spot on special teams has been redshirt freshman punter Jacob Ulrich, who led the country after Week 1 in average and still ranks among the best nationally three games into his punting career. • En route to being named to “Ray’s 8” for Week 1, which recognizes the top punting performances each week, Ulrich dazzled in his punting debut, setting the school record for single-game average.
