National rivals post impressive wins
9/1/2013 7:05:00 AM | Football
The Bearkats' top rivals for the national title put some impressive victories on the board this weekend.
No. 4 Eastern Washington, a team that visits Huntsville on Saturday Sept. 28 in SHSU's premiere non-conference game on this year's schedule, knocked off Oregan State 49-46 on the road.
Quarterback Vernon Adams accounted for 518 yards of total offense and six touchdowns, including a game-winning, 2-yard run with 18 seconds left, as the Eagles upset Oregon State, 49-46, in the season opener for both squads Saturday. Oregon State (0-1) was 25th-ranked in the FBS.
Adams, who threw for six touchdowns in EWU's final game last season - an FCS national semifinal loss to Sam Houston State - completed 23-of-30 pass attempts for 411 yards and four touchdowns while also rushing for 107 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries.
Nine of Adams' completions went to Ashton Clark for 155 yards and one touchdown. Cooper Kupp caught five passes for 119 yards and two touchdowns.
The two teams combined on 1,155 yards without any turnovers.
Two-time defending FCS national champion North Dakota State defeated Kansas State 24-21 in Manhatten.
The No. 1 ranked Bison scored the game's final 17 points and stunned Kansas State for their fourth straight win over an FBS opponent, in this case the defending Big 12 co-champion.
Quarterback Brock Jensen capped an 18-play drive on a 1-yard keeper with 28 seconds left to erase a 21-17 deficit and lift the Bison (1-0) before a sellout crowd at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
Jensen accounted for three touchdowns (two passing, one rushing) and completed 21-of-30 pass attempts for 164 yards.
The redshirt senior engineered the game-winning drive, which went 80 yards and clipped 8 minutes, 30 seconds off the game clock. On the touchdown, he spun around after taking the snap and then forced his way into the K-State end zone.
Sam Houston's opening opponent in last year's NCAA playoffs, No. 14 Cal Poly, knocked off San Diego 38-16.
Kristaan Ivory gained 185 yards and three touchdowns on only 14 carries, sparking Cal Poly. His 2-yard TD run with only nine seconds left in the second quarter broke a 10-10 tie and put the Mustangs ahead for good.
Southland Conference opponent McNeese State appears ready to give the Bearkats a run for their money in league play.
McNeese State scored 40 unanswered points, including 31 in the second quarter, while posting a 53-21 rout of FBS South Florida Saturday night in Tampa.
The 53 points were the most ever by an FCS team over a BCS squad. Also, the 32- point margin of victory was the largest by an FCS program over a BCS team in history.
Cody Stroud threw for 207 yards and two touchdowns as McNeese State ruined Willie Taggart's debut as South Florida's coach.
Tickets for the SHSU versus Eastern Washington game as well as seats for the other remaining six games at Bowers and the 88th “Battle of the Piney Woods” at Reliant Stadium on Nov. 2 remain on sale online at www.gobearkats.com .
The Sam Houston athletic ticket office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The ticket office telephone is (936) 294-1729.
