August 23rd vs Sam Houston State on ESPN

[93bird]

Excellent analysis Millennium. Keeler's going to keep his offense vanilla, then force our offense to take the short stuff. Get to the 4th quarter and see what happens. Maybe this won't be a pretty game, but it will be a good chess match between two of the best. You guys are VERY fortunate to have Keeler.

 

[ewusigep252]

Bill Chaves said on Twitter today that less than 500 tickets are available for the game.

 

[dudeitsaid]

Bill Chaves said on Twitter today that less than 500 tickets are available for the game.

And on the podcast, it appears those tickets were released in part by finding out that the SHSU band would not be coming. There may be additional tickets released over time, but it is clear that as they become available, they will be purchased quickly, and this game should be a sell-out.

 

[Millenniumkat]

Excellent analysis Millennium. Keeler's going to keep his offense vanilla, then force our offense to take the short stuff. Get to the 4th quarter and see what happens. Maybe this won't be a pretty game, but it will be a good chess match between two of the best. You guys are VERY fortunate to have Keeler.

I'd say the last part is an understatement.

I'll say this about Keeler...I hope he does well (obviously) and most of us are avoiding the hype. I can't speak to his success because he's coached ZERO games for us. However, what he HAS done thus far may have "Saved" our program. Its all the little things.

To recap, the TIMING of Fritz' departure was catastrophic and could have set SHSU football back 5 years. We lost 22 seniors from last years team. Fritz announced his decision on a Thursday...two days before the biggest and final Recruiting trip on campus of the season (Saturday). There were upwards of 25 recruits scheduled on that trip (That got postponed 2 weeks). When the smoke cleared, only 12 had remained committed. Leaving 10 spots just to complete the roster. He has since brought in more solid transfers than I have ever seen. To not only fill positions for a year, but have several years of eligibility remaining ....on top of that..

I've heard the criticism of Keeler that he relies heavily on FBS transfer QB's. Well...he inherited a team(including recruits) with 6 QB's with exactly 1...ONE game of starting experience. He has reportedly turned down 6 FBS transfers that reached out to SHSU about the position. Say what you will, but that takes some NADS to roll the dice that way and commit to other positions. Ultimately, that decision will decide this teams fate IMHO.

 

[Millenniumkat]

Will I be disappointed with an EWU win...of course. Will I be shocked..no. Like I said,, I've got nothing but good things to say about EWU thus far. We had the family of the Mitchell kid (From Katy I think) over at our tailgate last year, good people.

I just hope this game is exciting enough to justify the TV slot and captivate some casual fans to FCS football. Not to mention what the exposure can do for both schools.

Its gunna be a fun day for sure. Looking forward to it. In other news...

The SHSU football banquet and auction fund raiser is this Friday night. Rumor has it that one of the items up for bid is 2 tickets on the Team plane to Cheney with sideline passes. "Baby, we are paying a few things late this month, pack me some short pants!" LOL.

 

[talon38]

That's awesome. I would say those 2 tix may go for 2-3K, as I've seen many over the last few years go in that dollar range at EWU auctions. If you can get them for under 2K, do it, It will be worth the no hassle of a direct flight, hotel and sideline passes. GOOD LUCK!!! See ya there!

 

[LDopaPDX]

There will likely be some Texas-style heat on August 23rd. Cheney has a weird climate where it is usually hot as balls in July and August, and dramatically cools in September (although it usually remains warm until mid-October). The good thing is we don't have that Gulf Coast humidity, so 90+ in Cheney won't feel scorching to the Bearkats.

 

[Rjones61]

There will likely be some Texas-style heat on August 23rd. Cheney has a weird climate where it is usually hot as balls in July and August, and dramatically cools in September (although it usually remains warm until mid-October). The good thing is we don't have that Gulf Coast humidity, so 90+ in Cheney won't feel scorching to the Bearkats.

According to weather.com, Cheney averages 81 degrees on August the 23rd and highest recorded on that date is 99. Given the warm summer, I am willing to go midway and guess high 80s for the game.

I kind of wish it was in the evening. I think the cool evening air would keep everyone cooled down and running at full capacity. Then again, come August I might not be able to wait another moment for football.

 

[dudeitsaid]

I just hope this game is exciting enough to justify the TV slot and captivate some casual fans to FCS football. Not to mention what the exposure can do for both schools.

That's what I hope as well. I would prefer a dramatic and even game that people watch to the end. But with EWU coming out on top. If it wasn't on TV, I'd rather EWU win by multiple scores! Close games stress me out!

 

[93bird]

Imagine the TV pregame setup. Eagles and Blue Hens in 2011, Baldwin vs Keeler, the Kats beating us twice on our turf. Oh, it's gonna be good. Now, if we could only get Chaves to announce during the halftime show that after the season we'll break ground on a 35,000 seat stadium with retractable roof and "Wall O' Flame" end zone for those chilly December playoff games.

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Imagine the TV pregame setup. Eagles and Blue Hens in 2011, Baldwin vs Keeler, the Kats beating us twice on our turf. Oh, it's gonna be good. Now, if we could only get Chaves to announce during the halftime show that after the season we'll break ground on a 35,000 seat stadium with retractable roof and "Wall O' Flame" end zone for those chilly December playoff games.

:clap: :clap: :clap: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :nod: :nod: :nod:

 

[DefendtheRed]

Sam Houston is bringing in another transfer DB.

http://www.mutigers.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/xavier_smith_690318.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[Millenniumkat]

Ticket package on the plane to Cheney went for around 3k....

Every player and every coach we spoke to said same thing, "Can't wait for 8/23". They are all about this one, we'll see what happens. The DB from Missouri has been on the team since the spring practices, but just now leaked. I say that because they've been tight lipped about the JUCO guys and the transfers....we've had to dig to find out who's come on board.

 

[EWURanger]

Ticket package on the plane to Cheney went for around 3k....

Every player and every coach we spoke to said same thing, "Can't wait for 8/23". They are all about this one, we'll see what happens. The DB from Missouri has been on the team since the spring practices, but just now leaked. I say that because they've been tight lipped about the JUCO guys and the transfers....we've had to dig to find out who's come on board.

Has SHSU started practices yet? What's your assessment of how the team is shaping up so far?

 

[eatemupkats]

Sam Houston is bringing in another transfer DB.

http://www.mutigers.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/xavier_smith_690318.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Your receivers are going to have their hands full. #noflyzone

 

[EWUeag]

Sam Houston is bringing in another transfer DB.

http://www.mutigers.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/xavier_smith_690318.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Your receivers are going to have their hands full. #noflyzone

*Yawn*

 

[Millenniumkat]

They start practice on Monday. No idea how they are going to be. Lot of injuries nagging during spring practices, coaches state as many as 18 different starters now than what took the field during spring game. One standout player, true Sophomore TE Ragan Henderson is my pick for a breakout year especially early on. He's big, runs routes well, extremely difficult to bring down in the secondary. He had 6 catches last year, 3 for TD's. If I could point you to one guy that could be our go to guy early, it would be him.

 

[Millenniumkat]

Again I'm on here to talk football, not to troll, just to be clear..

If I could sum up what I expect us to look like in a word, that word would be "different". They looked nothing like teams of the past in terms of schemes, practice styles etc. "ON PAPER",..(caution) I can say that this appears to me to be the most talent position by position that we've had...ever. The undefeated 2011 team turned out to be great, but they were expected to finish fourth in the SLC that year and played well beyond expectations.

We do have loads of talent, the question is how well can the team come together in 3 weeks or so? History tells me it will be rocky at first, my heart tells me different. You know how that goes. IF we can avoid early disaster, and hope to keep it close and gain some cohesion as the game goes on, we will at least make it interesting, ,but I'm not ruling out any ending.

 

[Obzerver]

Millenniumkat, appreciate your insight. We've all seen teams overachieve/underachieve plus add in all the different variables and teams expected to have down/up years can see a reversal. I fully expect SHSU to again have talent aplenty along with strong coaching which will carry this team to a season of good results. I'm sure the players and coaches "can't wait for 8/23"...it is after all in Cheney, WA!

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Sam Houston is bringing in another transfer DB.

http://www.mutigers.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/xavier_smith_690318.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Your receivers are going to have their hands full. #noflyzone

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Good one!