HBU at #4 Sam Houston State
Saturday, Aug. 31 – 6 p.m.
Bowers Stadium – Huntsville, Texas
Audio: HBUHuskies.com/legacysportsnetwork.com
Play-by-Play: Lonnie King, Color Commentary: Jeff Power
Live Stats: gobearkats.com
Game Notes
Tickets
Price: $15
Bowers Stadium Information
Video Preview – Jeff Power
HUNTSVILLE, Texas – On Nov. 21, 2011, HBU accepted an invitation to join the Southland Conference and also announced it would be adding a football program to begin competing in the league in 2014. On Saturday night, the Huskies will take the field for the first time in school history as they travel to face fourth-ranked Sam Houston State at 6 p.m. at Bowers Stadium.
The 2013 season will be a developmental year for HBU, with the Huskies playing an abbreviated, seven-game schedule with no conference affiliation. Since HBU will not be joining the Southland Conference until next season, Saturday's contest will not count toward league standings.
Obviously, with a first-year program, the Huskies (0-0) have yet to establish an identity. However, keep an eye on sophomore quarterback Jonathan Fleming, freshman quarterback Ka'Darius Baker, wide receiver Darian Lazard, a junior transfer from the University of Houston, freshman running back Craig Bell Jr. and freshman wide receiver Terrance Hawkins on offense. On defense, HBU will be led by freshman linebacker Garrett Dolan, freshman safety Cody Moncure and freshman defensive back Ja'Halen Norris.
Along with junior guard TC Jones, Lazard, Norris and Dolan will serve as team captains.
The Bearkats (0-0) enter the season ranked fourth in the FCS preseason rankings, following back-to-back appearances in the Division I Football Championship game.
Sam Houston State is led by senior running back Tim Flanders, who rushed for 1,642 yards and scored 18 touchdowns in 2012. The Bearkats also return senior quarterback Brian Bell, who completed 61.2 percent of his passes for 2,715 yards with 25 touchdowns. Senior linebacker Jesse Beauchamp was second on the team last season with 94 tackles, including four sacks.
HBU will have an off week before hitting the road again to face Wayland Baptist Saturday, Sept. 14 at 6 p.m. in Plainview, Texas. The Huskies host Oklahoma Baptist in their home opener on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. at Strake Jesuit College Preparatory's Crusader Stadium.
Sam Houston State will face No. 6 Texas A&M Saturday, Sept. 7 in College Station, Texas.
HBU and Sam Houston State are tentatively slated to officially begin their Southland Conference rivalry Nov. 15, 2014 in Houston.
