News Summary
The Texas Longhorns will conclude their nonconference schedule with a game against the struggling Sam Houston Bearkats, who are still looking for their first win this season. Texas comes off a solid victory against UTEP, while Sam Houston, under new head coach Phil Longo, is fighting through a difficult start with a lack of offensive consistency. With notable players on both sides, this matchup is critical for both teams as they aim to showcase their strengths and challenge their respective standings.
Austin, Texas – The Texas Longhorns (2-1) are set to conclude their nonconference schedule by facing off against the struggling Sam Houston Bearkats (0-3) at Royal-Memorial Stadium this weekend. Scheduled for Saturday night at 7:00 PM, the match comes after Texas secured a convincing 27-10 victory over UTEP (1-2) last week. In contrast, the Bearkats have not yet found their footing this season, failing to secure a win against Western Kentucky, UNLV, and Hawaii.
Sam Houston is entering the game after a bye week, which has provided the team with extra preparation time. The Bearkats have had a turbulent start to the 2023 season, having held only one lead in their three outings – a brief advantage that lasted less than four minutes. This marks the first year for head coach Phil Longo at Sam Houston, who took over the reins after K.C. Keeler’s departure to Temple. Longo has previously honed his skills as an offensive coordinator at Wisconsin and worked under renowned head coach Mack Brown at North Carolina.
As the season unfolds, the Bearkats have cycled through quarterbacks, with Mabrey Mettauer and Hunter Watson earning starting positions. Landyn Locke has also seen time under center this season. Watson leads the Bearkats in rushing with 108 yards and two touchdowns, highlighting the team’s struggle for offensive consistency, as they have only scored two touchdowns collectively in the current campaign. Mettauer, a former four-star recruit, was signed by Longo at Wisconsin and now aims to uplift the team’s performance. The participation of Locke, a freshman, adds a layer of inexperience to the squad.
Despite entering a new competitive landscape at the FBS level in 2023, the Bearkats are grappling with a challenging transition, currently holding a record of 13-15 since the switch. Last season, Sam Houston finished second in the Conference USA standings, earning a bowl game appearance. Five players were selected for Conference USA’s preseason watch list prior to the current season, with defensive back Emon Allen standing out as a key player. Allen has accumulated 18 tackles and a notable 66-yard interception return for a touchdown against Hawaii.
Sam Houston’s veteran running back Adrian Murdaugh remains a connection to the team’s successful 2021 FCS championship squad. However, he and his teammates have yet to replicate that winning formula this season. In their historical meeting, Texas decisively triumphed over Sam Houston in 2006 with a score of 56-3, a precedent that will loom large as the teams take the field this weekend.
The Longhorns have been navigating their own challenges, including a notably difficult season for sophomore quarterback Arch Manning. Although he has shown flashes of potential, he has completed just over half of his passes so far. In the recent game against UTEP, Manning completed 11 of 25 attempts, totaling 114 yards along with one touchdown and one interception. Interestingly, Manning has also emerged as Texas’ leading rusher this season, with 112 yards and three rushing touchdowns to his name.
Despite their struggles, Texas dropped to No. 8 in the AP Top 25 rankings following last week’s victory. The Longhorns enter this matchup as colossal favorites, with DraftKings Sportsbook placing them at a 41.5-point advantage against Sam Houston. ESPN’s matchup predictor gives Texas an impressive 98.9% likelihood of winning the game.
As the highly anticipated game approaches, both teams aim to capitalize on the opportunity to showcase their strengths and implement their strategies effectively. While Texas seeks to improve its standing, Sam Houston looks for its first season win amidst a tumultuous campaign.
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Additional Resources
- Statesman: Texas vs. Sam Houston
- Sports Illustrated: Betting Odds Texas vs. Sam Houston
- MaxPreps: Victoria West vs. Sam Houston Recap
- Texas Longhorns: Baseball vs. Sam Houston
- KBTX: Sam Houston Football News
- Wikipedia: Sam Houston State Bearkats Football
- Google Search: Texas Longhorns Football
- Google Scholar: Texas Longhorns Football
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Texas Longhorns
- Google News: Sam Houston Football
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HOUSTON STAFF WRITER The HOUSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHouston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Houston, Harris County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Art Car Parade, and Chevron Houston Marathon. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Houston Partnership and Houston Area Urban League, plus leading businesses in energy and healthcare that power the local economy such as ExxonMobil, Schlumberger, and Houston Methodist. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
