HAMMOND, La. -- Chris Poullard ran for 142 yards on 36 carries including 11 of the last 12 plays of the game to run out the final 8 minutes of the game in a 20-16 win over the Southeastern Louisiana Lions on Saturday night.

The Bearkat offense managed just three second-half points, but the defense came up huge for Sam Houston State (6-4, 4-2 SLC). The biggest play of the night was on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line. Byran Richmond hit SLU running back Mario Gilbert inches shy of the goal line to turn the ball over.

"Well we just played ball. We had our guys in there and stopped them," SHSU head coach Todd Whitten said. "It was a great goal-line stand and I am just glad we stopped them. It was a big play for us."

After that, Chris Poullard and the Bearkat offense finished off the game. The Kats ran off the final 8:01 off the clock with Poullard carrying the ball 11 times for 49 yards on the drive. Hicks took a couple of knees to end the ball game.

In his first start since last season, Hicks had the third-best passing game of his career, throwing for 296 yards on 20-of-30 passing and a pair of first-half touchdowns. Justin Wells was his favorite target, catching seven passes for 85 yards. In addition to his 142 on the ground, he had another four catches for 91 yards.

After a Taylor WIlkins field goal tied the game at 3 midway through the first quarter, the Bearkat offense got to work. On a fake-reverse, play-action pass, Hicks hooked up with Catron Houston for a 35-yard touchdown.

After a SLU field goal cut the lead to 10-6, the Bearkats tacked on another score toward the end of the first half. Hicks dumped off a scree-pass to Chris Poullard who took it 65 yards to the SLU 2-yard line. On third down, Hick tossed a fade pass to the corner of the end zone and Justin Wells made a diving catch to put the Bearkats up 17-6.