HUNTSVILLE – The No. 21 Sam Houston State Bearkats couldn't hold a 31-17, fourth-quarter lead, but a walk-off, game-winning field goal by Tre Honshtein propelled the squad to a 34-31 overtime victory over No. 13 Central Arkansas on Saturday night at Bowers Stadium.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Ty Brock threw for 305 yards and went 27-for-43 in his first collegiate start, and rushed for two of Sam Houston's (2-2, 1-1 SLC) four touchdowns. He finished with 378 yards of total offense and Kyran Jackson collected 155 all-purpose yards of his own.

The duo helped spark the Bearkat offense that finished with 470 yards of total offense - 120 yards more than any other game so far this season. They needed it against a UCA (2-2, 1-1 SLC) team that finished with 441 yards of their own, led by 135 yards on the ground from all-conference running back Carlos Blackman.

Still, despite giving up the yardage, the Bearkat defense came up with big plays when they needed it, finishing with five sacks and 12 tackles for loss. Royce See stepped up with a big game on his end – a team-best 11 tackles and a forced fumble while Derick Roberson spent his day in the UCA backfield finishing with one sack and three quarterback hurries to aid his five tackles.

But, at the end of the game, it was the Bearkats' special teams that proved to be the finishing difference as Scean Mustin blocked a 34-yard field goal attempt by UCA's Matt Cummins to keep the Bears off the scoreboard in the opening overtime period.

Four plays later, Honshtein put an end to the night when he drilled his second field goal of the evening.

How It Happened

After the Bearkats came up empty on their first drive of the day, pushed the ball 51 yards down the field deep into Sam Houston territory. Adrian Contreras came up with a timely defensive stop on third down to prevent a UCA touchdown, but Cummins nailed a 29-yard field goal at the 7:30 mark to take an early 3-0 lead.

The Bearkats flipped the momentum at the start of the second quarter and interrupted the Bears' first drive when See forced a fumble at the UCA 32-yard line. The Kats were unable to capitalize on the first turnover of the game, but the Sam Houston defense stood tall and took advantage of a 27-yard loss on fourth down to take possession on the UCA 27-yard line.

Brock found Davion Davis on back-to-back passes for a gain of 25 yards, including a highlight-reel grab for 20 yards that set up a two-yard sprint from Brock into the end zone. Honshtein followed up with the extra-point kick, giving Sam Houston a 7-3 lead with eight minutes remaining in the second quarter.

UCA came roaring back with a touchdown of its own and used 99 yards of offense in five plays to retake the lead, 10-7, going back in front when Breylin Smith connected with Jakari Dillard on an 80-yard strike.

But Sam Houston struck back two drives later, taking advantage of a short punt and going 52 yards on 10 plays to surge back in front, 14-10, on an eight-yard rush by Brock less than two minutes before halftime.

After forcing a three-and-out to start the third quarter, the Bearkats tacked on another touchdown early in the third quarter to take a 21-10 lead. The Kats collected 73 yards in nine plays and ate up 3:11 on the game clock.

After two scoreless drives, UCA's Smith laced a 42-yard pass to Lester Wells midway through the third quarter. Blackman followed up with a 30-yard rush and UCA made it a 21-17 game one play later.

The teams exchanged scoreless drives once more in the third before Brock found Davis in the end zone on a 7-yard pass. Honshtein's extra point was true once again and the Bearkats took a comfortable 28-17 lead going into the final quarter.

Sam Houston added another field goal early in the final period to stretch the lead to 31-17 with just under 11 minutes to play, but the Bears would then go to work to even the score. An 82-yard drive was capped by a 38-yard score from Kierre Crossley that cut the lead to 31-24, and one drive later they took advantage of a Brock fumble when backup quarterback Kirk Baugh hit Jack Short in the end zone on fourth down from three yards away to tie it up with just 2:20 to go.

The Bears got the ball to open up overtime play, but went nowhere, setting up another try from 34 yards away by Cummins; however, Mustin pushed his way through the middle of the line and got a hand on the ball to give the Kats the edge in the overtime period.

Sam Houston then made sure to give Honshtein a chance, advancing just nine yards on three plays to set up a 34-yard try from the middle of the field that Honshtein drilled to send the Kats off winners.

Quotables

K.C. Keeler opening statement...

“We had a great week of practice and you could tell we came out there with a little bit of a chip on our shoulder. We've talked about leaving plays on the field and we left some there during the first half. We gave up a cheap touchdown on a blown defensive coverage on a 3rdand 10. But they didn't worry about it and came out to battle in the second half. We really liked what Ty did and we put the ball in his hands and told him that we had confidence in him. KJ got the touches he needed and Derick just played out of his mind and it is great to see him have a great senior year. This was a great win over a great team and the Kats are back. If we want to get to 9-2 we have to get to 2-2, and next week we will get the 3-2.

Ty Brock on his first collegiate start…

“When they told me I'd get the start, that was the most nervous I was the entire week. As the week went on I just got this feeling of, “I am going to get to play football.” I haven't played very much in the last three years, so the excitement just built from there as the week went on. My teammates really rallied around me and, by the time the game came around, I was ready.”

Kyran Jackson on the flow of the game…

“I was pretty comfortable going into the game. I had a couple veterans in front of me to show me the ropes. I just felt comfortable and played my game and when I play my game I do well.”

Notes

• After not playing a full game since his junior year of high school, freshman quarterback Ty Brock threw for 305 yards and was one of two Bearkats to break into the end zone.
• Matt McRobert produced the longest punt since 1966 and grabbed the school and stadium record for 74yds. The previous record was 70 yards, set back in 1999 and 2013.
• Sam Houston's 34-31 overtime victory marks the first overtime game played at Bowers since taking on Texas State on Nov. 22, 2008. The Kats' last overtime win at home was a 34-31 contest against Stephen F. Austin on Nov. 1, 2008.
• The Sam Houston State defense rose to the occasion and produced five sacks 12 TFLs.