HBU receives votes in National Top 25 poll; Zappe, Walker receive weekly honors

Bailey Zappe (left) and Andre Walker address the media at the
Southland Conference Football Media Day in July, 2019.
Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (September 18, 2019) Coming off their stunning 53-52 upset win over South Dakota, the HBU Huskies again garnered votes in the FCS Coaches Poll rankings. The Huskies received 11 votes, and although it was not enough to break into the Top 25, marks their second time this season to receive votes. In Week 2, they also received 11 votes, to tie with Cal Poly for 43rd place in the rankings. The Husky's 11 votes in the current poll place them 30th; just 46 votes out of the Top 25.

With a 2-1 record, HBU will face Southland Conference opponent Northwestern State on Saturday, Sept 21 with a scheduled 6 p.m. CDT at Husky Stadium in Houston. The Demons are 0-3 in 2019, and are coming off a 65-14 loss to LSU this past Saturday.  Previously, they dropped 42-20 decision to TU-Martin in Week One, followed by a 33-7 loss to Midwestern State. The Husky's are 0-2 lifetime versus the Demons; losing 10-7 on October 28, 2017 in Houston and falling 31-28 on Oct 27, 2018 in Natchitoches, Louisiana. With a win against the Demons, HBU would post the best record in program history, through the fourth game of the season.

In addition to the votes in the Top 25 poll, quarterback Bailey Zappe and defensive end Andre Walker earned Southland Football Player of the Week honors.

Zappe racked up the tenth-most passing yards in Southland Conference history (513) against South Dakota. In addition, he broke his own school record for completions (41) and tied the program’s top mark with five touchdowns. He is currently the league leader in passing yards (1,062) and touchdowns (10) and led the Huskies down the field for the game-winning touchdown, going 5-for-5 with 64 yards.

Walker tallied a school-record four sacks, one shy of the Southland Conference record, for 27 yards lost. Against South Dakota, he totaled six tackles, including four solo stops. He also tallied back-to-back sacks.