Published: September 19, 2008 03:09 pm      

Finally

After three-week layoff, Bearkats ready to battle No. 19 Kansas

After three frustrating weeks, the wait to get back on the field is finally over for the Sam Houston State football squad. Today at 6 p.m., the Bearkats battle the Big 12’s Kansas Jayhawks in Lawrence, Kan.

Following a 58-14 victory over East Central Oklahoma in the season opener on Aug. 28, the Bearkats (1-0) had a bye week before Hurricane Ike ravaged the Texas coast, forcing Sam Houston to cancel last weekend’s home game against Prairie View A&M.

It’s been a tough stretch for the Kats. Just when the season looked like it was under way, the three weeks off has been just like starting fall camp all over again with practice after practice. Throw in the fact that the majority of the Huntsville area was without power this week and food was in short supply, it’s a welcome relief that things seem to be getting back to normal.

“The coaches have done a good job of keeping us focused and keeping us in condition by running a lot,” senior defensive end Ryan Gloston said Wednesday. “They have been keeping us game ready. We are just looking forward to things returning to the way they were before the hurricane.”

The coaching staff dismissed the players last Thursday so they could be with their families during the hurricane. Everyone reported back Sunday and the Bearkats were able to practice a few days this week before flying to Kansas on Friday.

The field house at Bowers Stadium never lost power, so the Bearkats were able to watch tape and hold study sessions in preparation of facing the Jayhawks (2-1), the 19th-ranked team in the country in the Football Bowl Subdivision.

“The guys have responded well this week and we have been able to get a lot of work done,” SHSU head coach Todd Whitten said. “It has almost been like an NFL program around here. We have had them around most of the day. A lot of them have been camping out in the field house. So, I think it has been fine.

“We have gotten a lot of work done as a staff. We have had three good workouts and I think we are on schedule. It’s almost like we are opening again, though. Hopefully, we hill be sharp, go out there and play clean and see what happens.”

Even though the Bearkats opened with a Division II school, Sam Houston did look pretty impressive in the first half, especially on offense.

Behind the play of quarterback Rhett Bomar and running back James Aston, the Kats scored on all eight of their first-half possessions and the starters didn’t see the field after halftime. Bomar threw for 198 yards and four touchdowns, and Aston rushed for 116 on eight carries and added two scores.

The SHSU defense also had a solid opener. The Bearkats forced six turnovers, recorded three sacks and didn’t allow East Central to get on the board until midway through the third quarter when the bench was cleared.

With that said, things will be a lot different today. The Jayhawks aren’t a D-II team. The Jayhawks are coming off arguably the best season in school history, going 12-1 and winning a BCS bowl game in 2007. Kansas also has a talented quarterback in Todd Reesing, a Texan who has thrown for 1,041 yards and nine touchdowns this season.

So, what’s it going to take for the Bearkats to have a shot at pulling of a major upset?

“We have to start fast,” wide receiver Jason Madkins said. “If we start off slow then we will give them a chance to come in and take over. But if we start out fast and the defense gets it going, then I actually think we can win this game.”

Today’s kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.