3-2 , 3-1
UIW
3-3 , 2-2
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UIW | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| Sam Houston State | 24 | 28 | 7 | 0 | 59 |
Early take-aways spark 59-7 win over UIW
10/10/2015 10:47:00 PM | Football
Sam Houston scored 21 points during a minute and 37 second period in the first quarter to run and hide from Incarnate Word as the Bearkats earned their third Southland Conference victory by a score of 59-7.
After quarterback Jared Johnson hit running back Cory Avery for a 66-yard touchdown with 8:13 to play in the first quarter to go up 10-0, the Bearkats picked up 14 more quick points thanks to interceptions.
First defensive end P. J. Hall intercepted a Trent Brittain pass at the UIW 36 to set up a Johnson to LaDarius Brown 35-yard touchdown strike as SHSUU upped its lead to 17-0 with 6:53 to play.
Two plays after the ensuing kickoff, defensive back Mikell Everette picked off another Cardinal throw and returned the steal to the UIW one-yard line. Donavan Williams scored as the Kats extended their lead to 24-0 with 6:28 to play.
A third interception by Collins Okotcha with 11:51 left in the second quarter resulted in a 60-yard touchdown return.
“This was a good win going into a huge game next week on the road at Abilene Christian,” Sam Houston head coach K. C. Keeler said. “This is what needed. I'm really proud of the defense. I thought they really filled the gaps, ran to the ball, and played with a lot more discipline.”
Sam Houston totaled 596 yards total offense on 86 plays, rushing for 293 yards and passing for 303. The Bearkats limited Incarnate Word to 177 total yards on 61 plays.
Sam Houston extended the lead to 52-0 at intermission. Dorland Fields scored the Cardinals' lone touchdown on a one-yard run to complete a 14-play, 65-yard scoring drive in the third quarter.
The Kats upped their season mark to 3-2 and stand 3-1 in Southland action. Incarnate Word dropped to 3-3 for the season and 2-2 in Southland action.
Sam Houston has won three in a row since starting the 2015 season with losses to Texas Tech and Lamar.
“We have really worked hard the last few weeks to pull ourselves back to the team we should be,” Keeler said. “Tonight was about our execution and going out and doing the things we need to do. At times the season, I've never seen a good team play as poorly as we did. But we have worked the last two weeks to get back who we can be.”
Bearkat kicker was successful on all eight extra points to set a Sam Houston career record with 172 successful point after attempts in his three years with the Kats. Miquel Antonio set the old record of 171 in 2012.
Freshman running back Remus Butler had a season best 98 yards rushing on 17 carries including an eight-yard scored. Avery added 91 yards rushing with a touchdown and Jalen Overstreet picked up 53 yards rushing, also with a score.
Jeremiah Briscoe passed for 118 yards and a touchdown in his first start as a Bearkat. Jared Johnson threw for 168 yards including two touchdowns.
LaDarius Brown gained 115 yards on four catches including two 35-yard touchdowns. Gerald Thomas caught five passes for 63 yards.
Next up for the Bearkats will be a league road trip to Abilene Christian next Saturday for a 2:30 p.m. contest at P. E. Shotwell Stadium.
Team Stats
UIW 0, SHSU 3
SHSU - Swimberghe, Luc 34 yd field goal 11 plays, 63 yards, TOP 2:49
UIW 0, SHSU 10
SHSU - Avery, Corey 66 yd pass from Johnson, Jared (Swimberghe, Luc kick) 3 plays, 76 yards, TOP 1:08
UIW 0, SHSU 17
SHSU - Brown, LaDarius 35 yd pass from Johnson, Jared (Swimberghe, Luc kick) 3 plays, 34 yards, TOP 1:06
UIW 0, SHSU 24
SHSU - Williams, Donav 1 yd run (Swimberghe, Luc kick), 1 plays, 1 yards, TOP 0:03
UIW 0, SHSU 31
SHSU - Overstreet, Jal 3 yd run (Swimberghe, Luc kick), 7 plays, 30 yards, TOP 2:24
UIW 0, SHSU 38
SHSU - Okotcha, Collin 60 yd interception (Swimberghe, Luc kick)
UIW 0, SHSU 45
SHSU - Brown, LaDarius 35 yd pass from Briscoe, Jeremi (Swimberghe, Luc kick) 7 plays, 94 yards, TOP 1:42
UIW 0, SHSU 52
SHSU - Avery, Corey 8 yd run (Swimberghe, Luc kick), 12 plays, 93 yards, TOP 4:38
UIW 7, SHSU 52
UIW - Fields, Dorland 1 yd run (Seidel, Cody kick), 14 plays, 65 yards, TOP 5:52
UIW 7, SHSU 59
SHSU - Bulmer, Remus 8 yd run (Swimberghe, Luc kick), 9 plays, 75 yards, TOP 3:04
