Game #9
October 31, 1964 - Sam Houston 21, Stephen F. Austin 8

In 1963 Stephen F. Austin ended a five-year Sam Houston "Battle of the Piney Woods" winning streak with a 14-13 upset at the Lumberjacks' homecoming game in Nacogdoches.

Both teams returned a strong group of lettermen from successful teams for the 1964 campaign. Preseason forecasters predicted a tight race for the 1964 Lone Star Conference championship that could be decided at the "Piney Woods" tilt in Huntsville on Halloween.

Coach Paul "Red" Pierce fielded a Bearkat team with a rushing attack led by halfbacks Billy Arlen, Joe Ed Lynn and Ted Minyard. Another team strength was the defense anchored by tackle Frank Fox and linebacker David Martin.

The Bearkats rolled into the "Battle of the Piney Woods" with a perfect 5-0 record and an NAIA No. 3 national ranking as Sam Houston posted victories over Tarleton State, Corpus Christi, Howard Payne, Texas Lutheran and Southwest Texas.

The road to the "Battle of the Piney Woods" had some bumps for the Lumberjacks of Coach Travis "Shorty" Hughes. The Jacks had lost both their non-conference games and fallen to Lone Star foe Texas A&I but bounced back with wins over Tarleton State and Sul Ross to keep their title hopes alive.

SFA featured a strong running game as well with halfbacks Billy Burt and Tom Byer ranked among the league's leading rushers.

It was the Sam Houston defense, however, that provided the edge for a Bearkat victory to avenge the 1963 loss.

A hard tackle shook lose the ball and Sam Houston's Mike Bobo grabbed the fumble in mid-air and dashed 24 yards for the first Bearkat touchdown.

Fullback Dave Smith completed a long drive with a one-yard dive up the middle for the second Bearkat tally.  Minyard, who led both teams with 132 yards rushing, scored on an 11-yard run to ice a 21-8 victory over SFA.

Sam Houston limited the Jacks to only 105 yards rushing and 26 yards in the air for 131 yards total offense.

The Kats defeated East Texas 6-0 and Texas A&I 21-16 to clinch their third Lone Star Conference championship in eight seasons (all under Coach Pierce).

Sul Ross handed Sam Houston its only loss by a 14-7 margin in season finale in Alpine but the 8-1 record earned the Bearkats one of the four berths in the NAIA playoffs.

The Bearkats defeated Findlay College 31-21 in the semi-finals in Findlay, Ohio, to advance to the NAIA Championship game against Concordia College of Minnesota in Augusta, Georgia. Played in cold, wet conditions, the game ended in a 7-7 tie and Sam Houston and Concordia were named NAIA National Co-Champions.

Fox and Minyard both were named as NAIA All-America first team selections. Arlen, Lynn, Martin, Norman Peterson and Keith Collins were honorable mention All-America selections.

Arlen, Collins, Fox, Martin, Ed Bittick, Don Murray and Benny Sorgee were named All-Lone Star Conference.

Pierce served three more seasons as Sam Houston head football coach. From 1952 to 1967, Pierce compiled a 92-52-7 record. During his tenure with the Bearkats, Pierce's teams won 11 of 16 "Battle of the Piney Woods" games with Stephen F. Austin.

A new chapter in the "Battle of the Piney Woods" football rivalry begins Saturday, Oct. 23 when Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin meet at Reliant Stadium in Houston.

The move of the series to Reliant Stadium for the next four seasons comes from a partnership between Lone Star Sports & Entertainment (LSSE) and the two universities. LSSE is an independent event management company which is closely affiliated with the NFL's Houston Texans.

Battle of the Piney Woods tickets are now on sale through the university's athletic websites at www.gobearkats.com. Fans also can purchase tickets at the Sam Houston athletic ticket office located in the Ron Mafrige Field House in the south end zone at Bowers Stadium or by calling ticket office at (936) 294-1729.

Ticket prices range from $15 to $35. Sam Houston State season ticket holders will have premium ticket locations included in their packages. Only lower bowl seating will be open at Reliant Stadium for the "Battle of the Piney Woods." Sam Houston fans will be seated on the west side of the stadium while the SFA section will be on the east side.

Battle of the Piney Woods
Previous Greatest Games:
1.) Sam Houston's first victory over SFA -- Bearkats 6, Jacks 0 -- 1925.
2.) Kats earn first conference title -- Bearkats 20, Jacks 0 -- 1930
3.) Thanksgiving Day thriller -- Bearkats 13, Jacks 6 -- 1938
4.) Win earns Kats' first post-season game -- Bearkats 32, Jacks 20 -- 1952
5.) Mac Moore runs over Lumberjacks -- Bearkats 25, Jacks 14 -- 1953
6.) Kats clinch first Lone Star title -- Bearkats 27, Jacks 6 -- 1954
7.) Shutout completes perfect season -- Bearkats 31, Jacks 0 -- 1956
8.) Sam Houston spoils SFA Homecoming, title hopes -- Bearkats 6, Jacks 0 -- 1959 

Next Week - Kats' comeback win wraps up 8-victory season -- 1970