[an error occurred while processing this directive]
Today@Sam | SHSU Headlines | Calendar | Notices | News Archives
Sports Update for Sept. 10
FOOTBALL
For only the sixth time since moving up to the NCAA Division I-AA level, the Sam Houston State football team is off to a 2-0 season start and the Bearkats have posted two impressive victories to get off to that start.First, on Sept. 1 in Monroe, LA, Sam Houston State posted its second victory ever over an NCAA Division I-A opponent with a 20-9 victory over Louisiana-Monroe. Then, Sept. 8 in the home opener at Bowers Stadium, the Bearkats ran up their second highest NCAA game point total ever with a 61-10 victory over Lone Star Conference favorite Tarleton State.
Josh McCown, senior from Jacksonville who joined the Bearkats last spring transferring from SMU, has completed 31 of 47 passes for 412 yards and four touchdowns in his first two starts. Jonathon Cooper, senior wide receiver from LaMarque, has caught 12 of those passes for 127 yards and two scores. NCAA I-AA preseason All-American tight end Keith Heinrich has five catches for 67 yards.
The Bearkat defense has been impressive, allowing just 141 yards rushing (70.5 yards per game) and only 263 yards per contest total offense. Sam Houston State has created seven turnovers (five fumble recoveries and two interceptions) while the offense has not given up a takeaway.
Punt return specialist Ronnie Thomas, senior from Houston, was named as Southland Football League "Special Teams Player of the Week" following the Tarleton victory. Thomas returned three punts for 69 yards including a 50-yard touchdown return, the first time a Sam Houston State player has returned a punt for a touchdown since 1996.
Sam Houston State has an open weekend on Sept. 22 before embarking on back-to-back long non-conference road trips to Northern Illinois on Sept. 22 and to Mississippi Valley State on Sept. 29.
VOLLEYBALL
With victories over Louisiana-Lafayette, University of Oklahoma, and Iowa State during the first two weeks of the season, the Sam Houston State volleyball team is off to a strong start in 2001. The Bearkats finished second in the Sam Houston State Invitational a week ago, and followed that up last weekend with a strong showing at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay tournament.Liz Dahlstrom, junior from Friendswood, leads the Bearkat offense with 97 kills in eight matches. Dahlstrom was named to the All-Tournament Team at the Sam Houston State Invitational.
Carrie Sartain, sophomore from Jersey Village, has 96 kills this season and was named Southland Conference "Offensive Player of the Week" last week after a career high 20 kills in one match during the Sam Houston tournament.
Dana Jefferson, sophomore from DeSoto, has posted 90 kills and 36 blocks in the first eight matches. She was named to the All-Tournament Team at the Wisconsin-Green Bay Tournament.
Sam Houston State opens Southland Conference action this week with three home matches at Johnson Coliseum. The Bearkats play host to Texas-Arlington Tuesday at 7 p.m.; Louisiana-Monroe Friday at 7 p.m.; and Northwestern State Saturday at 4 p.m.
CROSS COUNTRY
Both the Sam Houston State men's and women's cross country teams will participate in their third meet of the young 2001 season Saturday, Sept. 15, at the Rice Invitational in Houston.Raul Villarreal, sophomore from Houston, has been impressive in the Bearkats' first two meets this year. Villarreal was the runner-up at the Southwest Texas Invitational Saturday, Sept. 8, in San Marcos. He ran the four mile course in 21 minutes, eight seconds. Villarreal also led the Bearkats with a seventh place finish at the Texas A&M Season Opener at College Station, Sept. 1 with a time of 24 minutes, 36 seconds on a 4.6 mile course.
Holly Pitzenberger, sophomore from Tomball, and Karina Mancias, senior from LaPorte, led the Bearkat women this weekend in San Marcos. Pitzenberger was fourth with a time of 18 minutes, 56 seconds on the three mile course. Mancias placed fifth with a time of 18 minutes, 57 seconds.
GOLF
Both the Sam Houston State men's and women's golf teams begin fall semester action during the next week. The Bearkat men open their schedule Monday and Tuesday, Sept. 10-11, at the Raising Cane Classic hosted by the University of Southern Mississippi at Canebrake Golf Club in Hattiesburg, Miss. The SHSU women open 2001-2002 golf action Sept. 15-16 at the University of Minnesota Invitational in Saint Paul.
TENNIS
The Sam Houston State women's tennis team kicks off its 2001 fall season by hosting the Bearkat Invitational Fall Classic this Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 15-16, at the McAdams Tennis Center on campus. Six other college teams will participate in the flighted singles and doubles format event.
SOFTBALL
The Bearkat softball team begins its fall training schedule Sunday, Sept. 16, with a scrimmage at the University of Houston.
- END -
Media Contact: Paul Ridings
Sept. 10, 2001
Please send comments, corrections, news tips to Today@Sam.edu
This page maintained by SHSU's Office of Public Relations
Director: Frank Krystyniak
Communications Coordinator:Julia May
Located in the SHSU University Advancement Building
Telephone: 936.294.1836; Fax: 936.294.1834
