The Texas Longhorns will close out their non-conference slate at home this weekend before embarking on a month-long stretch of road games. Sitting at 2-1, the Longhorns look to build momentum before diving into Southeastern Conference play.
The Sam Houston State Bearkats enter Saturday’s matchup fresh off a bye week, still in search for their first win. New head coach Phil Longo leads a young roster loaded with freshmen and an almost entirely retooled defense.
A pair of playmakers, one on defense and one on offense, have emerged as names to watch when Sam Houston State lines up against Texas on Saturday.
#7 Emon Allen — Defensive Back
Allen may not fit the defensive back prototype, but the 5-foot-9 redshirt senior and Austin native has carved out a reputation as a big-play threat. As one of the few defensive returners from last season, Allen’s 2024 campaign landed him on Conference USA’s preseason watchlist, with 12 tackles in nine games.
In just three weeks this fall, Allen has already made his presence felt. He ranks second on the Bearkats’ defense with 18 tackles, adding a forced fumble and two interceptions. One of those came as a 66-yard pick-six against Hawai’i, a momentum-shifting play that showcased his speed and instincts.
For a Texas offense still trying to find rhythm on the offensive side of the ball, Allen’s ability to create havoc in the secondary could prove especially critical on Saturday.
#21 Elijah Green — Running Back
While Longo continues to rotate three different quarterbacks, redshirt senior Green has provided some stability in the backfield. Green has emerged as a reliable receiving option, hauling in 11 catches for 124 yards and a touchdown and proving himself a dependable target regardless of who’s under center.
Although his rushing numbers have lagged and garnered only 76 yards on 24 carries for a modest three-yard average, Green’s versatility as a pass catcher has allowed him to stay productive despite the offense’s growing pains and constant personnel changes.
The veteran enters his final year of eligibility with 865 career rushing yards and 13 touchdowns across stops at Indiana and North Carolina. If Green has NFL aspirations, he has plenty to prove down the stretch, and a strong performance against Texas could help showcase his potential and leadership in difficult circumstances.
