In football, numbers and statistics can often be deceiving and the anticipated performance from Rhett Bomar in the annual Orange and White game this Saturday certainly proved the statement to be true.
Though the Bearkat faithful failed even to fill one side of the stadium, the Sam Houston State football team played with an intensity and excitement that was noticeably higher than in previous seasons. The usual names of reliable players, such as receivers Catron Houston and Blake Martin, frequently rang out from the loudspeakers, yet the surprising performances of several new faces set up an optimistic outlook for the 2007 season.
On defense, senior Byran Richmond had a team high six tackles for the Orange and an interception off a pass from Bomar in the second quarter.
Chris Brown, a transfer from the University of Texas, proved his worth at defensive end, including the only sack of the game for a loss of five yards.
Despite giving up three interceptions, the Bearkat offense appeared competitive with seven touchdowns as both teams utilized the ground game and passing game to light up the board.
The anticipated appearance of Bomar in Bowers Stadium may have fallen short of expectations, though paper and ink can’t exhibit the extreme athleticism or excellent eye for the game that the talented quarterback possesses.
Playing on the losing White team, the 6 ft. 2 in. quarterback completed 21 of 37 passes for 323 yards, including two interceptions with one sack.
Yet Bomar’s numbers fail to tell the story of effective scrambles, laser passes and across-the-body throws that served as a picture of the pure athleticism No. 7 brings to the field.
Justin Wells led the Bearkats on offense with seven receptions for 100 yards, while junior Darnell Jones brought in six receptions for 88 yards and one touchdown, including a leaping catch over the defender in the corner of the endzone.
The Bearkats will kick of the 2007 season on Aug. 30 at home against Angelo State at 6 p.m.