Kats Under Konstruction
- Sidelines - Sam Houston
- Sep 13
- 6 min read
The Kats are under konstruction, and not just Bowers Stadium. While the stadium back in Huntsville is undergoing a much-needed $60 million renovation, the Bearkats are calling Houston’s Shell Energy Stadium home for 2025. The Bearkats are also entering their first year of a rebuild under new head coach Phil Longo. The optimism that greeted their 2025 season quickly turned into a season full of finding small wins wherever they can. As they navigated the early stretch of their schedule, the team faced notable challenges, including player turnover, an unexpected quarterback conundrum, and some concerning downfalls on both sides of the ball. Yet, despite these hurdles, there’s still a belief that this team can course-correct and improve over the remainder of the season. The program is heading into their 1st of 3 bye weeks, providing some much-needed rest after a physical start that led to some untimely injuries.
Let’s take a closer look at how the Bearkats have fared in their first three games, what’s working, and what needs to be fixed.
The Player Turnover Challenge
One of the primary factors affecting the Bearkats this season is the significant player (and coach) turnover that took place over the offseason. Like many teams, Sam Houston has had to contend with roster changes that come with graduation, the transfer portal, and the general ebb and flow of college football. But this year, the Kats lost a few more due to the coaching changeover. The program lost key players from last year’s squad—especially on defense, where leadership, experience, and depth were critical to the team’s success.
The Bearkats’ defense, while showing flashes of brilliance, has been inconsistent in 2025. New players, particularly those in the secondary, are still adjusting to the game's speed and physicality. The front 7 struggled to get into a rhythm but have quickly formed to be the rock of the defense, especially with QB heat-seeking hard hitter, JaMair Diaz. Despite the slow start, they have begun to generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks and show flashes of the disruptiveness of last year. The secondary, meanwhile, is clearly the Bearkats' most glaring issue. They are very inconsistent, relying heavily on man-to-man coverage that leads to the DBs getting beaten nearly every snap. When in zone coverage, there are certainly improvements, but they are still wildly inconsistent. One thing is for sure, though: the Kats are willing to make a hit, highlighted by an Alonzo Edwards Jr. forcing a fumble that was returned 43 yards for a touchdown by JaMair Diaz vs Western Kentucky.
On offense, the turnover has been equally noticeable. While Sam Houston has talent, several key skill position players have either graduated or moved on, leaving gaps in the depth chart. This transition has particularly impacted the team’s ability to sustain drives and execute consistently. Whether it’s been a lack of rhythm in the running game or the inability to stretch the field vertically in the passing game, the offensive unit has yet to find its true identity. Despite otherwise good play designs, the execution on the O-Line and Receiving core is preventing the offense from gaining momentum.
The Unexpected Quarterback Conundrum
Arguably, the most significant question mark for Sam Houston this season has been at quarterback. After entering 2025 with a 2-way competition between Hunter Watson and Mabrey Mettauer, we thought Phil Longo and Zack Patterson had settled on returning starter Hunter Watson. However, after playing Mabrey Mettauer in the Bearkats' loss to UNLV, Phil Longo said the plan was always to play both quarterbacks in the first few games, trying to find the right fit for the offense. That's where we enter the "unexpected" part of this Quarterback battle. Against Hawaii, Hunter Watson was listed as "out", leading to Mettauer getting the start at QB1, that is, until early in the 4th quarter when he took a hard hit, taking him out of the game. Enter 6'4 true Freshman Landyn Locke, who marched the Bearkats down the field for a Touchdown on his opening drive, shocking everyone at the sudden spark in offense from a guy who started the season as the 3rd string! Locke looked surprisingly comfortable in the pocket for his first time taking college snaps, going 6-10 for 68 yards and a touchdown, and, maybe most impressively, no sacks. While we don't have official confirmation on what led to Watson being out, we do know he and Longo had an elevated exchange on the sidelines against UNLV. Longo also mentioned in the post-game press conference that Watson had gotten a bit banged up, which could explain his absence at Hawaii. This has turned into an extremely intriguing mid-season quarterback battle we definitely need to keep a close eye on.
The team’s offensive struggles can be partially attributed to this uncertainty at quarterback. The lack of continuity and consistency at quarterback has led to missed opportunities, a lack of timing with receivers, and an inability to establish a rhythm in the passing game. Whether it's a lack of decision-making ability in critical situations or simply not being able to execute the playbook, the turnover at quarterback has forced the coaching staff to keep tweaking their game plans. Watson possesses the mobility and playmaking ability to extend plays, while both Locke and Mabrey show promise in terms of arm strength and accuracy. Locke is the only one who has not thrown an interception, while Watson (1) and Mettauer (2) both have more interceptions than touchdowns. So far, I personally would give Locke the nod over Mabrey based on his pocket awareness while still making decent reads. However, no quarterback has managed to fully put it all together just yet. It seems that the Bearkats will continue a 3-way battle at quarterback heading into Texas on September 20th.
For Sam Houston to find success in 2025, they will need to settle on a quarterback soon and allow him to build chemistry with his offensive line and skill position players.
Missed Opportunities & Lack of Execution
While Sam Houston has had some moments of brilliance, there have been clear downfalls in their first three games. Chief among these has been their inability to finish drives and capitalize on key opportunities.
1. Red Zone Efficiency
In all three games, the Bearkats have struggled in the red zone, where they’ve had difficulty punching the ball into the end zone. Whether it’s a poor play call on third down and fourth down, a dropped pass, or a misfire by the quarterback, these missed opportunities have cost them dearly. The inability to score touchdowns in critical moments has been a major hindrance and something that needs to be addressed immediately.
2. Turnovers
While Sam Houston's defense has been opportunistic at times, the offense has given away possessions far too often. Turnovers—whether it's interceptions, fumbles, or blown handoffs—have put the defense in tough spots and stalled offensive momentum. No team can afford to turn the ball over regularly, especially in tight games against quality opponents. If the Bearkats want to turn the season around, cleaning up these turnovers has to be a priority.
3. Inconsistent Special Teams
Special teams is often an overlooked aspect of a football team’s success, but it can be the difference-maker in close games. Unfortunately for Sam Houston, inconsistent special teams play has plagued them early in the season. Whether it’s missed field goals or shoddy return coverage, these small mistakes have added up. That being said, they also show signs of life, highlighted by a spectacular onside kick by Nico Ottomanelli, recovered by Cecil Powell! Special teams can be the catalyst for flipping the field position battle and providing momentum, so a more focused effort in this area is essential.
The Road to Improvement and Final Thoughts
Despite the early struggles, there’s no reason to panic. I truly believe they have the talent and coaching to squeeze out a decent season if they focus on the key areas that can make immediate improvements and get this season back on track. Finding some stability at quarterback is huge. Pick a man, and stick with him, or go with a true 2-QB system if absolutely necessary. Improving efficiency in the red zone, especially on 3rd and 4th downs, is critical for success. This includes play calling and game management decisions from the coaching staff. With just a few tweaks on both sides of the ball, this team can make significant strides as the season progresses. The "Kardiak Kats" may be a work in progress, but with the right adjustments, they have the pieces in place to build something by the end of the season. Time is on their side, but they must act quickly to avoid falling too far behind.
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