Sam Houston ranks 22nd in both Rushing Success Rate and defending explosiveness and sit 24th in Line Yards. Both programs have scored at least 27 points in every other game this season. Sam Houston's defense has been impressive at times this season, holding BYU to 14 points and Air Force to 13 in its first two games.
Wide receiver Noah Smith, who is averaging nine yards per reception, leads the team with 17 catches and a touchdown. Running back John Gentry leads the teams in carries and ranks second with 11 receptions. They also don't create many big plays, ranking 117th in explosiveness. They've been even less effective running the ball, averaging just two yards per carry. The Bearkats rank last in FBS in Success Rate and are averaging just 3.6 yards per play. Still, the overall numbers aren't pretty. It scored just 10 points over the first three games, but the Bearkats enjoyed an offensive breakout last week, scoring 28 points and racking up 435 yards in an overtime loss to Jacksonville State. Sam Houston's defense is FBS-caliber, but its offense isn't.
