This past Saturday the books were closed on the 2003 Bearkat football season. For the last game the Kats traveled to San Marcos to take on the Texas State University-San Marcos Bobcats. Unfortunately, the Kats season ended on a low note as they lost 49-28.
Junior Terrell Harris became the apparent thorn in the side of the young Kat football team. The Bobcat running back exploded for 246 yards on 28 carries.
Most of Harris’ yards were accumulated after initial hits made by Bearkat players.
“He is a big, strong, running back,” said head coach Ron Randleman. “But this was our worst tackling game. We have a lot of injuries on the defense so we have young guys taking a lot of snaps on defense and special teams.”
The Kats kept the game close through three quarters. SHSU trailed in the second quarter but were able to tie the game at 14 before going into the locker room.
“We felt pretty good going into the half,” said Randleman. “We were not able to stop them in the second half, though. We didn’t have the ball long enough to get anything going.”
Both teams looked stale in the beginning of the third, causing a battle of field position. It seemed the Kats had won that battle when a punt pinned the Bobcats on their own four yard line. Eight plays and 96 yards later, TSU-SM was leading 21-14.
On the following drive, the turnover plague once again touched the Kats. On the first play, a miscommunication between freshman quarterback Wade Pate and sophomore running back Jason Godfrey resulted in a fumble that would be returned for a touchdown by the Bobcat defense.
“That fumble was a big play, although it shouldn’t have been,” said Randleman. “When you have a young team those types of things are tougher mentally. With a more experienced team it is easier to get over plays like that.”
SHSU managed to keep the game close even after the crucial turnover. Freshman Adam Karas replaced Pate at the quarterback position. Randleman said the decision was made because he felt the offense needed igniting.
His decision proved to be the right one. Karas marched the Kats down the field and straight into the end zone. They narrowed the deficit by seven on the first play of the fourth quarter, but Karas took a hit that would keep him out of the remainder of the game. From there the Bobcats scored 21 unanswered points and left the Kats in the dust.
“This was not our best effort,” said Randleman. “When you go into a rivalry game you have to come with your best, but I think our team was just rundown.”
“It has been a very frustrating season for all of us. We knew two years ago we would have to rebuild. But I do think we are making some strides.”
Sam Houston finished the season in a last place tie with the Bobcats. This was TSU-SM’s first win over the Bearkats in the last three seasons.