(STATS) - Quarterback Jeremiah Briscoe showed Friday night that Sam Houston State remains in excellent shape at the position despite the impending transfer of last year's starter, Jared Johnson.
Not that coach K.C. Keeler and the Bearkats didn't feel this way already.
Briscoe stood out in Sam Houston's annual Orange-White spring scrimmage at Elliott T. Bowers Stadium. The new No. 1 quarterback, a 6-foot-3 junior, completed 14 of 22 passes for 167 yards, leading the offense to a 65-46 win based on a special spring point system.
Briscoe shared time with Johnson in the regular season last year. When Johnson, the Southland Conference's offensive player of the year, struggled in the FCS playoffs, Briscoe had two strong performances off the bench and started the final two games as the Bearkats reached the national semifinals.
They finished with an 11-4 record and third in the STATS FCS Top 25.
Friday night, Briscoe completed his first nine passes and directed touchdown drives on his first two possessions, capping the first with a 9-yard run.
"You could see Jeremiah is just getting better and better," said Keeler, who announced earlier in the week that Johnson plans to play his final season elsewhere.
Freshman backup Caleb Griffin was 7 of 12 for 66 yards, connecting on a 21-yard touchdown to wide receiver Jordan Ingram. Remus Bulmer led all ball carriers with 12 carries for 57 yards, including two short touchdowns.
The defense scored a pair of touchdowns - Cortland Fort went 88 yards off a fumbled pass reception and Anton Clark brought back an 89-yard interception return.
"Overall it was a great spring. We improved overall and we made great strides with leadership," Keeler said.
Sam Houston will return 16 starters and 53 lettermen next season for a team which kicks off its schedule Sept. 3 by hosting Oklahoma Panhandle State.
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