From the Vault: The Returns 2015
10/1/2018 3:44:00 PM | Football, Bearkat Sports Network
For our From the Vault feature, we are going to have daily features heading into this week's Battle of the Piney Woods game as we take a look at some key moments in the history of the rivalry, which the Kats currently hold a seven game win streak over the Lumberjacks.
In the 2015 game, it was the return game that carried the Bearkats to victory. Three long punt returns - two for touchdowns - sparked a Bearkat comeback as Sam Houston defeated Stephen F. Austin 34-28 in the 90th “Battle of the Piney Woods” presented by H-E-B Saturday before a record crowd of 26,990 at NRG Stadium.
Gerald Thomas returned SFA's first punt of the second half 78 yards for the Kats' initial touchdown of the game. Yedidiah Louis raced 53 yards for another score as Sam Houston took a 24-21 lead with 3:01 left in the third. Louis later dashed 47 yards on a return that set up a field goal opportunity.
The 195 yards in punt returns set a Sam Houston school single game record. The old mark was 138 yards versus Lamar in 2013. Thomas's 78-yard run is the sixth-longest punt return for in Sam Houston history. The return marked the longest since 2006 when Derrick Harris set the school mark with 90-yard returns for scores against both Central Arkansas and Texas State.
Louis had two returns for a total of 100 yards while Thomas had three returns for 95 yards. Louis ended with 187 yards of combined offense with 87 yards receiving on seven catches.
This year's game will kickoff at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 6. To purchase tickets visit www.gobearkats.com/pineywoods
