MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — It’s protected to say that very like the Blue Raiders, Sam Houston has not had the 2023 on the gridiron they needed.
 
In a yr the place the opposite two applications in yr two of their FCS-to-FBS transitions, James Madison and Jacksonville State, could be in line to play their means into convention title video games if not for his or her transition guidelines barring them from instant postseason eligibility, the Bearkats have had a a lot, a lot more durable season, getting into Saturday afternoon’s contest simply 2-9 after opening the season on an eight sport dropping streak.
 
Middle Tennessee head coach Rick Stockstill cautioned people to not learn an excessive amount of into the Bearkats file when judging their skill, nevertheless.
 
“Their overall record does not indicate how good this team is,” Stockstill mentioned. “This is not coach speak sitting up here talking about a 2-9 team. They’ve lost a bunch of games by one score. They’ve been in just about every game they’ve played.”
 
Five of the Bearkats losses have come by one rating, with two of these losses coming in additional time. Additionally, early season matchups Sam Houston held BYU to only 14 factors and Air Force to only 13 factors, earlier than dropping these video games in two-score contests. The Bearkats have been a tricky out, even when the wins have not are available bunches fairly but.
 
The flipside, after all, is equally as true. If not for a good, 24-21 victory over future convention mate Kennesaw State and a pick-6 to ice the sport on the street at LA Tech, the Bearkats might simply be in search of their first FBS victory heading into Saturday’s 11 a.m. CT kickoff on ESPN+ and the Blue Raider Radio Network.
 
MTSU can relate to that sentiment, having dropped 5 of their seven losses in a single rating video games as nicely, however with two of their three convention wins coming in equally as shut circumstances. But for the second Saturday in a row, Middle Tennessee will face a program that in 2023 might be enjoying for simply pleasure on the finish of the season. That truth hasn’t diminished his group’s focus, Stockstill mentioned.
 
“We’re fired up about this opportunity to finish out the season,” Stockstill mentioned. “Proud of our guys and how they’ve responded here the last three weeks of the season, would not expect anything different this week.”
 
On the sphere, the Bearkats possess one of many higher defenses in Conference USA, significantly when wholesome. Their fourth greatest scoring protection has saved them in a plethora of video games.
 
“They’re not an easy unit to play,” quarterback Nicholas Vattiato mentioned, highlighting the play of linebacker Trevor Williams. “He flies around the ball, sideline-to-sideline, fitting gaps in the run game, getting coverage in the passing game, getting to his zones or if he has to match it back to man. He has so much responsibility on his plate, and he handles it so well.”
 
Offensively, the Bearkats’ depth transferring as much as the FBS has been examined, to combined outcomes, however large receiver Noah Smith has been a star, main the CUSA in receptions per sport getting into Saturday.
 
“He gets open, he catches the ball,” security Tra Fluellen mentioned. “He’s superb at catching the ball. He reminds somewhat little bit of (MTSU WR Holden Willis) as a result of Holden can catch any ball that comes his means.”
To study extra in regards to the Bearkats, GoBlueRaiders.com employees author Sam Doughton chatted with Colton Foster, who covers Sam Houston whereas being the sports activities editor for the Bearkats’ hometown newspaper, the Huntsville Item. Foster mentioned the Bearkats transition, a number of the accidents Sam Houston has handled, gamers to know and far more!
 
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1) It was definitely a tricky begin to the Bearkats time within the FBS, with seven straight losses, a couple of in heartbreaking trend, to open the season. But realizing the context, in addition to after two wins late within the yr, how do you assess the place the Sam Houston program is heading after the transition interval ends this weekend?
 
Sam Houston knew coming into this yr that it might be robust, particularly with the schedule they had been dealt to open issues up. While this season has seen lots of downs, it hasn’t phased this group as every day they proceed to indicate up and follow every week like a loss by no means occurred. With a full yr now to recruit FBS-level expertise and having the ability to get extra expertise underneath a number of the underclassmen, the Kats are in a chief spot transferring ahead.
 
2) Keegan Shoemaker, exterior of his wonderful pooch punting expertise, has had an up-and-down season at quarterback, however when he is on, it is clear Sam Houston can rating some factors. What are some keys for him to get going early for the Bearkats?
 
For Keegan, it’s about enjoying free and ensuring he can get the ball to his playmakers. Not having a wholesome working again each week has put lots of strain on him to be the only man on the offense to make performs with opposing defenses realizing the Kats are on their seventh-string RB. After being benched, Shoemaker had a faster launch time and was capable of finding his receivers in house. With his legs being one other asset his rolling out and working simply helps his skill. His main keys might be getting the ball to Noah Smith and the opposite guys who could make performs with their legs.
 
3) Noah Smith’s numbers as a large receiver, 77 catches for 775 yards and 6 touchdowns, are definitely spectacular this late within the yr. What does he do nicely to get open so typically, significantly given his measurement?
 
Noah is an athlete. He can do nearly the whole lot that Sam Houston asks of him and getting open is only one. His velocity provides to it however it’s his imaginative and prescient and the YAC that basically assist him.
 
4) Nicholas Vattiato was fast to reward linebacker Trevor Williams, who’s been one of many key gamers on a savvy Bearkat protection this fall. Who are a number of the different gamers Blue Raider followers ought to know from a protection that is saved Sam Houston in lots of video games this fall?
 
Markel Perry might be the following up. He is coming off an damage final season and hasn’t been wholesome for all of the video games this yr. Kavion Gaither is one other identify that ought to be watched. Gaither got here into his personal final yr after the redshirting strategy final season. From his efforts, he earned a beginning function and has made it depend. Gaither has picked up a CUSA Defensive Player of the Week award and might be one other sturdy swimsuit for the Kats.
 
5) In a season finale for each applications trying to create momentum heading into the offseason, what do you anticipate being the keys for the Bearkats to choose up their third win as a member of Conference USA?
 
To me, it is simply enjoying inside themselves and never getting too far forward. Sam Houston’s offense has struggled at occasions however getting John Gentry again to almost full well being has been a giant assist. If the Kats need to dance one last time within the locker room, they should play sound elementary soccer and let issues come to them somewhat than power performs that are not there.