Southern Utah (8-4)
At Sam Houston State (8-4)
Saturday, Nov. 30, 2 p.m. Central
Bowers Stadium (12, 976 Real Grass Pro)
Internet: ESPN3
The Records: Southern Utah enters with an 8-4 overall record. The Thunderbirds finished 5-3 in Big Sky play and earned an at-large bid to the playoffs. Southern Utah opened the season with a win over FBS South Alabama. Losses came to Washington State of the Pac-12, UC Davis, and fellow playoff teams Eastern Washington and Northern Arizona. Southern Utah joined the Big Sky in 2012...Sam Houston State also enters with an 8-4 overall record. The Bearkats received an at-large bid to the FCS playoffs out of the Southland Conference. The Bearkats were 4-3 overall. Sam Houston State’s losses came to Texas A&M, McNeese State, Southeastern Louisiana and Central Arkansas. McNeese State and Southeastern Louisiana are both in the playoff field.
The Series: This will be the first meeting between the teams.
Up Next: The winner will play at #4 seed Southeastern Louisiana on Dec. 7.
The Coaches: Southern Utah’s Ed Lamb, a candidate for the Eddie Robinson Award, is 34-33 in his sixth season. Lamb has guided Southern Utah to the school’s first postseason appearance in football…Sam Houston State’s Willie Fritz is 39-14 in his fourth season. He went 97-47 in 13 seasons at Central Missouri. Fritz had guided Sam Houston State to three straight playoff appearances. The Bearkats have lost in the national championship game each of the past two seasons. He is 6-2 in the playoffs.
Big Sky vs. the Southland: The Big Sky owns a 25-15 mark against Southland Conference teams in the playoffs. However, Sam Houston State is 4-0 at home in the playoffs against Big Sky teams, including two wins in 2011 and one in 2012. Sam Houston State has won five straight playoff games over Big Sky teams the past two seasons…The Big Sky went 1-4 vs. the Southland Conference during the 2013 regular season. Weber State beat Stephen F. Austin. Montana State lost to Stephen F. Austin. Weber State lost to McNeese State, Sam Houston State beat Eastern Washington
Notes: Southern Utah has lost just one fumble all season, fewest in the nation…Sam Houston State went 7-0 at home this season...Southern Utah went 5-2 on the road this season...Sam Houston State’s Tim Flanders is the active FCS leader in rushing with 5,406 rushing yards..SUU is fourth in the nation in time of possession at 33 minutes and 15 seconds...SHSU leads the nation in blocked kicks with seven...Sam Houston QB Brian Bell has thrown 30 touchdowns with 10 interceptions...Southern Utah DE James Cowser averaged 1.4 tackles for loss per game, which ranks second in the Big Sky...SUU LB Zak Browning averages 10.3 tackles per game, which ranks 10th in the nation...Sam Houston’s Torrance Williams averages 18.5 yards per catch with 12 touchdowns...SUU is 10-11 all-time vs. Southland teams.