Paul Harris scored on a one-yard run in the second overtime for the winning points. The loss was the sixth for the Bearkats in the seven overtime games in Sam Houston's football history. The contest marked the first overtime game for the Kats since three of the final four games of the 2008 season went extra time.

"I told our guys it was amazing we came this close," SHSU head coach Willie Fritz said. "We had 10 or 15 mistakes that cost us. We played like a young team tonight. I was disappointed in our energy early in the game. We are just not talented enough to just roll the ball out there and win."

The Kats had an opportunity to win in regulation but Miguel Antonio's 36-yard field goal attempt with three seconds left was wide left.

Bryan Randolph came off the bench to hit Seth Patterson for a 26-yard touchdown on a fourth-and-11 play to keep Sam Houston alive in the first overtime. Paul Harris hit Louis Hollier for a 20-yard score on just the third play of the Demon's first OT possession. Shaughnessy and Antonio both were successful on their extra point attempts.

Harris completed 23 of 37 passes for 290 yards and two scores and rushed for 44 more on eight carries to lead Northwestern State.

Both teams now stand 4-4 for the season. After Texas State rallied to defeated No. 4 Stephen F. Austin 27-24 in Nacogdoches Saturday afternoon, Northwestern State is now tied with SFA and McNeese State for Southland leadership. All three teams stand 3-1 in league play. Sam Houston drops to 2-2.

Tim Flanders, the Southland's leading rusher who came into the contest averaging 114.4 yards per game with six consecutive 100-yard performances, carried only seven times early in the contest and did not see action after the first quarter due to an ankle injury.

Ryan Wilson carried 24 times for 71 yards. Bearkat quarterback Brian Bell hit nine of 18 passes for 109 yards.

Sam Houston's defense repeatedly came up with big plays, stopping the Demons twice inside the Bearkat five-yard line in the second half.

Northwestern State out-gained Sam Houston 389 yards total offense to 294. The Bearkats were hurt by a season high in penalties. SHSU drew 10 flags for 124 yards in penalties. The Demons were tagged six times for 64 yards in penalties.

The contest started as a defensive battle with a score of 3-3 at intermission. On Sam Houston's third possession of the first quarter, the Bearkats drove 45 yards in seven plays for a 38-yard field goal by Miquel Antonio to put Sam Houston up 3-0.

Late in the second quarter, Jo Shaughnessy booted a 27-yard field goal to tie the contest 3-3. Northwestern State drove 78 yards in eight plays. Thirty of those yards came on a pair of 15-yard penalties.

Northwestern State opened the third quarter with an 11-play, 92-yard drive capped by a Paul Harris to Bradley Brown five-yard scoring pass. The point after by Shaughnessy gave the Demons a 7-3 lead with 12 minutes left in the third quarter.

Sam Houston answered quickly. Brandon Closner returned the ensuing kickoff 30 yards. Brian Bell hit Ryan Wilson for a 29-yard pass, then raced for a 21-yard run to put the Kats at the Demon 6. Three plays later Bell hit Seth Patterson for a three-yard touchdown, tying the game at 10-10.

Twice in the final minutes of the third period, the SHSU defense stopped Demon drives inside the Kat five-yard line. First, Darius Taylor stopped the Demons for a two-yard loss on fourth-and-one at the three. Then, Eddie Decambre recovered a fumble at the Kat four.

Daxton Swanson ended another Northwestern State drive with 6:24 to go with an interception.

The Bearkats have two home football games remaining as Sam Houston returns to Bowers Stadium on Saturday November 6 to play host to McNeese State and wraps up the 2010 regular season on Saturday November 20 against Texas State. Kickoff for both games is 2 p.m.

The McNeese State contest November 6 is the four annual "Pinkout" game at Bowers promoting breast cancer awareness and research. Special "Pink Out Kats for the Cause" t-shirts will be on sale with 25 per cent of the proceeds supporting breast cancer awareness. The shirts will be sold during pregame tailgate from 12 noon to 2 p.m.

The Texas State game November 20 is "Senior Day" at Bowers with special pregame ceremonies honoring the five seniors on the 2010 team. The Bearkats vs. Bobcats matchup also is "Kids Day." Kids 17 years of age and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult with a paid ticket. Up to four youngsters may accompany each adult.

Tickets for both home games and other Bearkat home events are on sale online now at www.gobearkats.com/tickets . Fans also may purchase tickets at the Sam Houston office located in the Ron Mafrige Field House at Bowers Stadium. Ticket office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The ticket office telephone number is (936) 294-1729.