The Knights waited until Nov. 4 to crack the Big 12 win column ; Sam Houston celebrated that same afternoon when it toppled Kennesaw State for its first victory of any kind since moving up to the Football Bowl Subdivision. Both programs rode the momentum from there, too — finishing with three wins apiece from their last four games.
UCF and Sam Houston's football paths will cross for the first time Sept. 7 in a 6:30 p.m. showdown at FBC Mortgage Stadium. This is the final expected tune-up for the Knights, who have 10 consecutive Power Four contests scheduled after Sam Houston.
The Bearkats joined Conference USA on July 1, 2023, along with Liberty, Jacksonville State and New Mexico State. UCF competed within CUSA from 2005-12 before realigning with the American Athletic Conference.
K.C. Keeler hits a decade as Sam Houston football coach
K.C. Keeler turned Sam Houston into a perennial powerhouse at the Football Championship Subdivision level.
Since arriving from Delaware in 2014, Keeler has notched 88 wins in charge of the Bearkats, including 14 victories against FCS top-10 opponents and 14 in the postseason. Sam Houston reached the FCS semifinals in 2014, '15 and '17, along with a pair of Southland Conference titles, and won its first national championship in the spring of 2021 after going a perfect 10-0.
In so doing, Keeler became the first FCS head coach to capture national titles at two programs and surpassed Jim Tressel for the most postseason wins in the division's history (25).
Across three decades in the coaching profession, Keeler has a combined record of 262-109-1 (.705 winning percentage).
Noah Smith, Ife Adeyi highlight veteran Sam Houston receiving corps
Top Offensive Returners: WR Ife Adeyi, RB John Gentry, WR Malik Phillips, WR Noah Smith
Top Defensive Returners: DB David Fisher, LB Kavian Gaither, LB Sincere Jackson, DL Jevon Leon, EDGE Issiah Nixon, DB Caleb Weaver
Sam Houston's offense struggled mightily across the board in its debut FBS campaign. The Bearkats scored just 20 points per game and had the second-fewest total points (240) among Conference USA teams.
Digging deeper, they averaged 2.9 yards per rush and 6 yards per pass attempt while converting just 36% on third down.
Noah Smith earned an All-CUSA honorable mention with 79 receptions — 43 more than any other Bearkat — for 783 yards and six touchdowns. Ife Adeyi earned a pair of all-conference honors at the FCS level, but he has played in just seven games the last two seasons combined (protected eligibility in 2022, season-ending injury in '23).
On defense, Skyler Cassity — at 29 years old — was named defensive coordinator in late January, becoming the youngest in major college football. He will be tasked with improving a unit that registered just 17 sacks last season.
Hybrid linebacker Issiah Nixon led the way in that department with five sacks, Kavian Gaither had the second-most tackles (72) in the squad and Caleb Weaver recorded two interceptions, four pass breakups and six passes defensed.
Jase Bauer arrives from Central Michigan, contends for quarterback job
Transfer Portal Additions: QB Jase Bauer (Central Michigan), RB Jay Ducker (Memphis), DL Dylan Frazier (SMU), TE Fernando Garza (Texas A&M), DB Nyquee Hawkins (Virginia Tech), DB Jaylon Jimmerson (Liberty), LB Chatavies Johnson (Memphis), DL Marcus Moore (North Texas), TE Austin Smith (Memphis), DB Joe Swen (Oregon State), DL Denver Warren (New Mexico State), DL Quincy Wright (Oregon State)
Transfer Portal Losses: DB Da'Marcus Crosby II (New Mexico State), DB Dakerric Hobbs (New Mexico State), DB Kaden Kelly, QB Xavier Ward (San Jose State), DL Jalynn Wilson, RB Jordan Yates
All signs point to Jase Bauer entering the fall as Sam Houston's starting quarterback, though Grant Gunnell made one start for the Bearkats a season ago. Bauer appeared in six games as a redshirt freshman for Central Michigan, completing 35 of 59 passes for 435 yards with one touchdown and five interceptions and adding 312 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.
Jaylon Jimmerson adds championship experience in coming over from Liberty, which became CUSA's first New Year's Six Bowl qualifier in 2023. He played all 13 games for the Flames, recording 18 tackles with two TFLs.
The big loss, though, is Da'Marcus Crosby II. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound senior made the All-CUSA first team with 55 tackles and four interceptions.
Sam Houston adds prized JUCO defensive lineman Quardale Patt
Top Incoming Freshmen: ATH Railyn Adams (Newton, Texas), WR Karson Maynard (Melissa, Texas), WR Fatu Mukuba (Austin, Texas), TE Cooper Stevens (Cypress, Texas), DB Dravon Wilson (New Caney, Texas)
Success at the FCS level and a subsequent bump into Conference USA has vaulted Sam Houston into a different stratosphere as far as recruiting is concerned. Twenty-two of the Bearkats' top 25 recruits in program history, according to 247Sports' composite rankings, have signed letters of intent since 2020.
Quardale Patt (6-foot-4, 295 pounds) will look to break into the defensive line rotation immediately after enrolling from Trinity Valley Community College. He scooped up a handful of FBS offers last year, including Coastal Carolina, Texas State, UTSA and Western Kentucky.
Safety Dravon Wilson and wide receiver Fatu Mukuba check in 11th and 16th, respectively, among the Bearkats' all-time football signees.
Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.
Most Popular
Comments / 0