March 2 The Pod

Cory Hogue and Ben Sorrells close Season 3 of March 2 The Pod, presented by Eternal Roofing, with a full review of Sam Houston athletics. The episode opens with a remembrance of Bearkat football player William Davis before shifting into final grades for Sam Houston baseball and softball. Cory and Ben discuss baseball’s improvement from last season, Ryan Peterson’s legacy, Jay Sirianni’s future, and why the program could become a major piece of Sam Houston’s athletic identity. The guys also grade softball after a 29-win season, highlighting Tiffany Sanchez, Bella Perez, Veronica Harrison and a strong returning core. Then, they celebrate Sam Houston track and field’s success at the Conference USA Championships, including school records, personal bests and NCAA preliminary qualifiers. The season finale closes with a look at athletic department finances, including Sam Houston’s payout to Nicholls, generated revenue, and how the Bearkats compare with the rest of Conference USA.

Cory Hogue and Ben Sorrells are back for another episode of March 2 The Pod, presented by Eternal Roofing, with a packed discussion covering Sam Houston baseball, Conference USA football odds, recruiting, facilities, and one unforgettable youth baseball story. The show opens with Cory’s retelling of his ejection from a 10U recreation baseball playoff game, which turns into a larger conversation about how adults can ruin youth sports. Then the focus shifts to Sam Houston baseball, where the Bearkats swept Delaware and clinched a spot in the Conference USA tournament. Cory and Ben discuss the progress made this season, concerns with the pitching staff, Tyler Ryden’s soreness, Ryan Peterson’s pitch count, and whether Jay Sirianni has done enough to return next season. The football conversation centers on Vegas win totals and ESPN SP+ projections for Sam Houston and the rest of Conference USA. Ben sees value in the Bearkats going over 3.5 wins, while Cory remains cautious but believes several projections are too low with Bowers Stadium returning and Phil Longo entering Year 2. The episode wraps with Around the Farm, including Kashi Nzeh’s NBA workouts, basketball recruiting updates, the Under Armour contract extension, track facility funding, FCS payout numbers, and women’s golf all-conference honors.

March 2 The Pod, presented by Eternal Roofing, returns for Season 3, Episode 31 with Cory Hogue and Ben Sorrells breaking down a busy week in Sam Houston athletics. The guys open with golf updates from the Conference USA Championships, including Caleb Lumpkin’s strong individual finish for the men and a third-place team finish for the women. Ben then shares his notes from Sam Houston’s open spring football practice, including the quarterback situation, concerns along the offensive line, optimism around the defensive front seven, and questions in the kicking game. Cory and Ben also take a look at the 2026 football schedule and discuss what it could mean for Sam Houston’s bowl hopes. The episode continues with track and field highlights from Texas A&M, including another strong performance from the men’s 4x100 relay team. Then the conversation turns to the diamond, where softball’s season ended with a CUSA tournament loss and baseball continues to battle inconsistency, pitching depth issues, and blown leads entering a key series against Delaware. The show wraps with basketball roster updates. The men’s roster is nearly complete and appears positioned to remain near the top of Conference USA, while the women’s roster still has major work ahead this offseason. Presented by Eternal Roofing.

Cory Hogue and Ben Sorrells break down a packed week in Sam Houston athletics in Episode 30 of March 2 The Pod. The show starts with another strong weekend for Bearkat track and field, including impressive results from a young roster that continues to trend upward. The guys also react to a thrilling CUSA Tournament win for women’s tennis and a difficult finish for men’s golf. From there, the conversation turns to basketball roster movement, football press box discussion, and Louisiana Tech’s messy departure from Conference USA. Cory and Ben also dig into the growing frustration around Bearkat baseball, where late-game losses continue to pile up, before ending on a better note with softball’s series win over Missouri State and another big week from Tiffany Sanchez. Presented by Eternal Roofing.

In Episode 29 of March 2 The Pod, Cory Hogue and Ben Sorrells break down another busy week in Sam Houston athletics. The guys open with bowling’s strong NCAA regional showing, including a win over Maryville and two close losses that ended the season just short of the regional final. They also discuss football adding offensive lineman Jimmy Walls out of Bakersfield College and what his size and experience could mean for the Bearkats moving forward. Men’s basketball takes center stage with major transfer portal developments. Matt Dann is back, while Kashie Natt, Po’Boigh King, and C.J. Beaumont are on the move. The show also dives into what new additions Zion Pipkin and Aidan McDowell could bring to next year’s roster. On the women’s side, the portal also begins to move. Later in the episode, the hosts go Across the Farm to highlight major performances in track and field, plus updates on tennis, beach volleyball, and golf. Softball gets a spotlight after bouncing back from a tough road series at WKU with a win over SFA, where Veronica Harrison set the program’s single-season home run record. The episode closes with a hard look at baseball after a sweep at Missouri State and a midweek loss to Houston. Cory and Ben dig into lineup production and explain why the bottom third of the order has become a growing concern.

Cory Hogue and Ben Sorrells break down a packed week in Sam Houston athletics on Episode 28 of March 2 The Pod. The guys discuss early returns from Bearkat spring football, transfer portal movement in men’s basketball, a new soccer commitment, and one huge weekend for Sam Houston softball. They also dive into baseball’s series win over WKU, Ryan Peterson’s complete-game one-hitter, and what the Bearkats still need from the pitching staff moving forward. Plus, updates from tennis, beach volleyball, bowling, volleyball, and more from across Bearkat athletics. Presented by Eternal Roofing.

In Episode 27 of March 2 The Pod, Cory Hogue and Ben Sorrells take a final look back at the Sam Houston men’s and women’s basketball seasons. The episode’s main focus is a full post mortem on both programs, including postseason results, what each team accomplished, what questions remain, and grades for head coaches Chris Mudge and Raven Justice. The show also includes updates on bowling after the Bearkats earned an NCAA regional berth, football’s new offensive line coach, baseball’s recent turnaround, softball’s strong start in Conference USA play, and the latest involving golf, women’s tennis, track and field, beach volleyball, and the Kat Fund.

March 2 The Pod returns with a special Monday episode as Cory Hogue and Ben Sorrells react to a huge weekend across Sam Houston athletics and reveal their Conference USA tournament brackets. The show opens with Tiffany Sanchez’s historic no-hitter in softball’s series win over UTEP, then moves into a strong weekend for the bowling team and a much-needed baseball sweep over Prairie View A&M. The guys discuss why each result matters and what comes next for those programs this week. Then it’s all about March. Cory and Ben break down the women’s basketball regular season finish, postseason honors for Fanta Kone and Debra Ogayemi, and Sam Houston’s path through the CUSA tournament bracket. On the men’s side, they discuss Po’Boy King’s injury status, Coach Mudge’s Co-Coach of the Year honor, the Bearkats’ major award haul, and why the No. 2 seed gives Sam Houston a legitimate shot to win the tournament. Plus, they make their full bracket picks for both the women’s and men’s tournaments and invite fans to submit their own entries in the March 2 The Pod bracket challenge.

In this special Thursday edition of March 2 The Pod, Cory Hogue and Ben Sorrels break down a busy week across Bearkat athletics. The show opens with discussion of the Louisiana Tech lawsuit and what it could mean for the Conference USA football schedule, then shifts to the big question around Sam Houston baseball: how concerned should fans really be after a 5-7 start? The guys weigh the struggles of the offense against the clear progress on the mound, highlight why the young pitching staff has been a bright spot, and explain why this season still feels more encouraging than last year. They also dive into softball’s 14-9 start heading into conference play, run through updates in track and field, bowling, golf, beach volleyball, and tennis, and preview a huge weekend for both Bearkat basketball teams as the CUSA tournament approaches. Plus, they announce a new bracket reveal show and a listener bracket challenge ahead of tournament week.

Spring is in the air—and Bearkat Athletics is in overdrive. Cory Hogue and Ben Sorrells open with a tribute to Austin Farmer and share how fans can support his family, then sprint through a packed Sam Houston sports week: track & field highlights, bowling’s runner-up finish, women’s tennis momentum, year-two beach volleyball, golf updates, softball’s weekend results (and a key injury watch), and an encouraging early tone for Bearkat baseball behind improved pitching depth. On the hardwood, the women’s team drops a tight one at FIU after an administrative technical tied to jersey-number discrepancies, while the men continue winning despite a short bench—setting up a huge stretch with CUSA seeding implications on both sides.

Season 3, Episode 23 of March 2 The Pod (presented by Eternal Roofing) covers National Signing Day and Phil Longo’s press conference, including what Sam Houston’s 2026 class means for the roster—especially the young QB room. Then Cory and Ben dive into a full Bearkat softball preview: an elite pitching staff returning every inning, key defensive pieces, portal additions, and why the expectation is to compete for a championship. The episode wraps with women’s and men’s basketball standings, injury/storyline notes, and game predictions—plus a Kat Fund update after the Champions Dinner and golf auction supporting Bearkat golf.

March 2 The Pod returns for Season 3, Episode 21, presented by Eternal Roofing. Cory and Ben catch up after the break (including Cory’s hacked Twitter situation), then dive into Sam Houston football portal movement — departures, early additions, and why offensive line + quarterback depth are the biggest flashing concerns. On the hardwood, Bearkat WBB is off to a strong CUSA start and faces a tough road swing at Liberty and Delaware. We run through national/conference stat comparisons, matchup keys (turnovers vs rebounding), and make picks using ChatGPT lines. We also check in with Ben’s Kat Fund update, including details on the Sam Houston Golf Champions Dinner (Jan. 30), then close with Bearkat MBB: what the 0-3 CUSA start really means, why home games matter, and picks for Delaware and Liberty. Follow/subscribe: march2thepod.substack.com and find us everywhere @March2ThePod.

Sam Houston just crawled through a 2–10 football season, so it’s time for the annual March 2 The Pod report card. Ben and Cory go position by position and hand out honest grades for the 2025 Bearkats — quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, offensive line, defensive line, linebackers, defensive backs, special teams, and yes, head coach Phil Longo. We talk about where things completely fell apart, who actually earned passing marks, and what absolutely has to change in 2026 if Longo wants to quiet the noise in Huntsville. Before we dive into the carnage, we start with something a little more fun: Bearkat hoops. The men are fresh off a win over Wyoming and a tough nonconference slate against Texas Tech, Utah, and Oklahoma State, and they still haven’t lost against the spread. We break down why this group is built for March in C-USA, touch on the women’s impressive start, and then close the show with our made-up betting line and score predictions for Sam Houston at Texas Southern. If you want the full written report card with position-by-position notes, check out the Substack post (March2ThePod.Substack.com) for this episode.

Sam Houston finally turned “almost” into another win, and now the question is whether the momentum makes it to Murfreesboro. In Season 3, Episode 19 of March 2 The Pod, presented by Eternal Roofing, Cory Hogue and Ben Sorrells open with a loaded Bearkats Weekly ReKap: historic men’s basketball signings, a key frontcourt addition for the women, a near-upset at Utah, and what’s ahead against Wyoming, Schreiner, and at the Idaho Classic. On the women’s side, we talk about a defense doing exactly what we expected – and an offense that’s finally catching up. Then we dive deep into the 26–23 win over Delaware at Shell Energy. We walk through the turning-point fumble from Antavious Fish and A.J. Sargent, Coco Brown’s absurd 62-yard hurdle touchdown, and Christian Pavon’s 4-for-4 night that earned him CUSA Player of the Week. The defense racked up eight sacks and three takeaways, and we sort out what was sustainable and what wasn’t. We hit Phil Longo’s comments on “ugly wins,” the offensive line, and the run game, give a tough update on Hunter Watson’s season-ending surgery, and talk about what’s next for the quarterback room with Landyn Locke stepping into a bigger role. From there, it’s all Middle Tennessee State: series history (including the 2023 kerfuffle), MTSU’s 1–9 mark, the revolving offensive line, veteran safeties in the “Get a Damn Job” program, and why this one has full Sickos Bowl energy. We compare national and CUSA stats, break down Longo’s view of the Blue Raiders on both sides of the ball, share a Kat Fund update, and close with Vegas numbers, ChatGPT’s “coin-flippy and ugly” projection, and our picks for Saturday. Eat ’Em Up Kats.

Kats Konquer Corvallis: Check Kashed, Eyes on Delaware Sam Houston finally breaks through—98-yard Tim Burns kickoff return, Lyric Smith’s blocked punt TD, and takeaways from Wilson/Bailey fuel a 21–17 win at Oregon State and a $1.2M payday. We unpack the turning points, the “3rd-and-Longo” moment, and what the film says about the offense. Then we preview Delaware (Saturday, 6 p.m. CT, Shell Energy Stadium, ESPN+): QB Nick Minicucci, WR Kyre Duplessis, LB Gavin Moul, Carty-era tendencies, and the keys for SHSU with Mabrey Mettauer starting and Landyn Locke in the mix while Hunter Watson is out. Plus: Kat Fund update and our ATS/total picks. Presented by Eternal Roofing. Follow: @March2ThePod @CoryHogueSports @SportsofSHSU

We keep it real after a 55–14 thud at Louisiana Tech. The run game flashed (hello, Elijah Green), but red-zone choices and tackling told the story. We talk availability reports, injuries up front, and why context matters when you give up chunk plays all night. Then it’s on to Corvallis: Oregon State is stabilizing under an interim and toggling two different QBs; here’s how that stresses a defense that’s thin at DT. If Mabry Matoyer starts while Hunter Watson mends, expect a different menu. Also on deck: women’s soccer’s penalty-kick thriller (Bond’s saves, Murray’s winner) and a semifinal exit to Liberty; women’s hoops locking up but searching for efficiency; men’s hoops cruising as Damon Nicholas looks the part. We wrap with lines, ranges, and our pick: Beavers cover unless the Bearkats finish drives.

0:02 Opening — “Tell me something positive, Ben!” 0:05 WSOC: No. 3 seed; Delaware first; Liberty likely in semi; keys: defend, win midfield, create chances WBB: Monday 4 p.m. vs Southwestern Christian; want offensive step forward MBB: After WBB vs LeTourneau; takeaways from SFA scrimmage—guards legit, bigs need touches, defense must firm up 0:25 LA Tech Preview: Halloween uniforms; series notes; Friday records; best defense in CUSA; turnover margin edge Longo soundbites: “get-better week,” outside noise, recruiting/portal approach Personnel: Hunter Watson cleared; CJ Brown likely out; Tech QB Blake Baker 0:46 Kat Fund Update: membership & giveaway tease 0:48 Predictions: Ben 30–20 Tech (Cats cover); Cory 38–17 Tech (cover + over) Presented by Eternal Roofing This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit march2thepod.substack.com

Presented by Eternal Roofing — roofing you can trust with your home. Follow us on Twitter/X: @CoryHogueSports and @SportsofSHSU Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit march2thepod.substack.com

📋 Episode Notes: Opening thoughts: Searching for something positive Reviewing the Jacksonville State heartbreak Why the late-game cushion coverage mattered Phil Longo’s reverse-pass calls explained — and debated Defensive improvement and turnover highlights Previewing UTEP’s elite CUSA defense and what the Kats must fix Kat Fund update and how fans can help Predictions and prop-style game projection Presented by Eternal Roofing — Roofing you can trust with your home, just like you trust us with Bearkat sports This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit march2thepod.substack.com

Breaking down the New Mexico State loss Field goal confusion: Lopez vs. Pavon Locker room and leadership questions Offensive line struggles Defensive progress report Jacksonville State preview and score predictions Listener comments and live chat reactions This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit march2thepod.substack.com

0:23 Intro, sponsors, housekeeping 2:04 Substack launch—why it helps coverage 10:41 Volleyball attendance jumps to 1,069 (marketing works) 14:20 Make every game an event (Bearkat Alley/tailgate) 17:44 Soccer loyalty card + loyalty matters 25:00 Longo’s “12-round fight” mindset 33:35 WR room: get the ball to playmakers 39:02 Injury notes (Diaz, McCaskill, Powell) + NMSU injuries 44:21 NMSU context: rivalry hangover, short week 48:47 Kat Fund update (Casino Night/Golf) 52:49 Predictions (both pick Sam Houston) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit march2thepod.substack.com

The Bearkats are 0–3 after a tough trip to Austin, and it’s time for a reset. In this week’s episode of March 2 The Pod, presented by Eternal Roofing, Cory Hogue and Ben Sorrells break down what went wrong against Texas, redo their season predictions, and lay out ideas for how athletic director Bobby Williams can reconnect with fans, donors, and alums. From the quarterback situation to fan engagement solutions, this episode tackles both the problems and the path forward for Sam Houston athletics. Plus, Ben shares the latest Kat Fund update and what’s next for Bearkat supporters. Listen in for honest takes, creative solutions, and a vision for how Sam Houston can get back on track in 2025. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit march2thepod.substack.com

Sam Houston is 0–3, and the questions keep piling up at quarterback. Cory Hogue and Ben Sorrells break down the Bearkats’ start, health in the QB room, and what to expect heading into Darrell K Royal Stadium against Texas. Plus: Lamar Wilkerson’s inspiring NIL story — giving six figures back to SHSU and running a free youth camp — and updates on Bearkat soccer and volleyball. We close with predictions, Vegas lines, and a look ahead to Conference USA play. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit march2thepod.substack.com

Sam Houston’s 37–20 loss at Hawai’i drops the Bearkats to 0–3, and the questions are piling up. Cory Hogue (@CoryHogueSports) and Ben Sorrells (COO of the Kat Fund) break down the game, the QB carousel, and whether the offense has any answers before Texas. Highlights this week: Hawai’i recap: pick-sixes, Locke’s TD, and Longo’s postgame thoughts QB situation: Metoyer’s struggles, Locke’s potential, and why Hunter Watson suited up despite injury State of the program: offense vs. defense, travel decisions, and the budget optics of staying in Hawai’i until Monday Would Casey Keeler have more wins with this roster? Kat Fund update and two new men’s basketball signees (Rylan Kelly & Xavier Roberson) It’s Season 3, Episode 9 of March 2 The Pod, presented by Eternal Roofing — roofing you can trust with your home, just like you trust us with Bearkat sports. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit march2thepod.substack.com

The Bearkats are 0–2 after a tough road loss at UNLV, and now they’re heading to Honolulu for a Week 3 clash with the Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors. Cory Hogue (@CoryHogueSports) and Ben Sorrells (@SportsofSHSU) break down what went wrong in Las Vegas, why Sam Houston’s “home” game still didn’t feel like home, and what must change this week. We dive into: The lack of Bearkat fans at a “home” game Lessons learned from the UNLV loss Key matchups against Hawai‘i Cory and Ben’s game predictions Presented by Eternal Roofing — roofing you can trust with your home, just like you trust us with Bearkat sports. 🎧 Download and follow the show: march2thepod.podbean.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit march2thepod.substack.com

The Bearkats are bruised after a tough Week 0 loss to Western Kentucky — but can they bounce back against UNLV? In this episode of March 2 The Pod, Cory and Ben dig into: KC Keeler’s recent statement on Sam Houston’s lack of funding 🏟️ Takeaways and highlights from the WKU game Reaction to Phil Longo’s press conference clips 🎙️ A full preview of the matchup with UNLV Final predictions for Saturday night’s showdown in Las Vegas 🔮 Presented by Eternal Roofing — roofing you can trust with your home, just like you trust us with Bearkat sports. 🎧 Listen, share, and follow March 2 The Pod on Podbean at March2ThePod.podbean.com and on Twitter & Facebook @March2ThePod. #EatEmUpKats #SamHouston #UNLV #CUSA #CollegeFootball #March2ThePod This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit march2thepod.substack.com

The 2025 season is finally here, and the Bearkats open with a Week 0 showdown at Western Kentucky. Cory and Ben react to Phil Longo’s latest press conference — including his thoughts on fall camp, the QB room, and building relationships — before diving deep into the matchup against WKU. We break down the Hilltoppers’ offense and defense, revisit the history of the series, and give you our predictions for Saturday night’s clash in Bowling Green. 🎙️ Topics covered: Phil Longo’s takeaways from fall camp Strengths and questions heading into Week 0 What to expect from WKU and SHSU on both sides of the ball Updated Vegas line and O/U projections Cory & Ben’s official game predictions Presented by Eternal Roofing — roofing you can trust with your home, just like you trust us with Bearkat sports. 🔗 Follow us on Podbean at March2ThePod.podbean.com and on social media @March2ThePod. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit march2thepod.substack.com

Sam Houston 2025: Ceiling, Floor & Reality Cory and Ben break down the Bearkats’ best-case, worst-case, and most likely outcome for 2025 — plus a Kat Fund update. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit march2thepod.substack.com

We’re breaking down SHSU’s 2025–26 athletics budget, previewing the women’s soccer season, and reacting to the new Sammy logos. Did they hit the mark? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit march2thepod.substack.com

Preview Kats special teams unit, discuss baseball’s signing class, and did men's basketball inadvertently release its non-conference schedule? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit march2thepod.substack.com

Revisit Phil Longo and Sam Houston's visit to CUSA Media Day, followed by our reactions to the event, and a preview of the defensive backfield. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit march2thepod.substack.com

Cory explains how he got our Twitter account suspended, plus football staff changes, our first 2026 commit, a preview of the defensive front seven, and more realignment news. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit march2thepod.substack.com

Cory opens up about his departure from Dave Campbell’s and the future of the podcast. The guys discuss recent conference realignment news and Ben previews the offensive line and tight end room. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit march2thepod.substack.com