HOUSTON – Nothing could go wrong for Sam Houston State football.
Bearkats' wide receiver Tyler Scott coughed up a fumble on a long pass reception only to see his team recover the ball on the Houston Baptist runback. Sam Houston took advantage of the break, scoring on the drive as part of a 52-16 route against the Huskies on Saturday night.
The second-ranked Bearkats (3-0, 2-0 Southland) jumped out of the starting gates, racing out to a 21-point lead through the first 15 minutes, outgaining HBU 247-31, including a pair of touchdown rushes for running back Javin Webb.
Yedidiah Louis took a 48-yard reception, the longest Bearkat reception of the season, to the house with 6:23 in the first quarter, at the time giving Sam Houston a 14-0 advantage. With 111 yards receiving, Louis moved up to fifth in program career history with 2,070 yards.
Houston Baptist (2-2, 1-1 SLC) cut into Sam Houston lead in the third quarter highlighted by a 9-play, 80-yard drive that was capped by a 12-yard touchdown pass from Tony Dawson to Mev Ajdin. The Huskies scored the first 10 points of the frame, as Sam Houston held onto a 31-16 edge.
“I was a little concerned because we didn't come out great in that third quarter,” head coach K.C. Keeler said. “We kept on playing and got things going and played a lot better. Some young guys had to step up. We were able to use our depth tonight.”
The Bearkats bounced back in quick fashion, utilizing a 28-yard rush from Remus Bulmer to set up a 17-yard touchdown reception to Davion Davis. The touchdown was Davis's first of the season and marked the third straight game with three touchdown passes for Briscoe.
Briscoe finished 26 for 47 with a season-high 369 yards and no interceptions before exiting for backup Caleb Griffin early in the fourth quarter. Both quarterbacks played a role in Sam Houston rolling off 21-straight unanswered points to close out the game.
“All in all I think we'll be pretty happy with a high percentage of what we did,” Keeler said. “Houston Baptist will beat some people in our league. They already have a win in our league and I think they improved dramatically. I think our kids responded when they had to.”
Bulmer, who added his second touchdown rush with 9:26 remaining to up the Sam Houston lead to 52-16, finished with a career day. The sophomore tallied 124 rushing yards on 19 carries, besting his 98 yards against Incarnate Word a season ago.
“I think Remus is a really, really good back,” Keeler said. “For him to be our third back is impressive. Nathan Stewart is going to keep getting better and better. He's getting some opportunities out there. We got the young quarterback in there, as well. A lot of guys contributed.”
Webb concluded the game with 48 yards while Brown added 22. Starting running back Corey Avery was held out of the game for precautionary reasons due after getting a little dinged up a week ago. Wide receiver Tyler Scott notched 73 yards through the air and 38 yards on a nice kick return.
“Coaches said to play hard and the o-line did their job,” Bulmer said. “All I needed to was find a crease and do my job. We had to just lock in. We got back on track. Everyone is a little banged up so my job was to protect the ball and that's how we'll win.”
Jaylen Harris helped his cause, taking a 70-yard kickoff return while adding three total returns for 120 yards. For the second straight game, P.J. Hall added 4 ½ tackles for loss. The defensive end totaled seven tackles and 2 ½ sacks while Mouf Adeo posted a team-leading eight tackles.
The win marked Keeler's 199th in his 23 years of coaching, moving his all-time record to 199-86-1. The third-year head coach will search for his 200th next Saturday when Sam Houston takes on Stephen F. Austin at the 91st Battle of the Piney Woods. Kickoff from NRG Stadium is scheduled for 3 p.m.
