DENVER, Colo. - Sam Houston quarterback Keegan Shoemaker and defensive lineman Jahari Kay were named the WAC Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, on Monday after the Bearkats' 21-20 win over Stephen F. Austin, per a release from league officials.

Shoemaker got his first start as a Bearkat, filling in for all-America quarterback Eric Schmid, and led the Kats to 15 unanswered points in the final nine minutes of the game to edge the upstart Lumberjacks for Sam Houston's 10th consecutive win in the 95-year rivalry. The 2019 Patriot League Rookie of the Year, Shoemaker completed 16 of his 29 pass attempts for 222 yards and a pair of touchdowns. 

However, much of his work came on the game's final two drives where he completed five of his seven pass attempts for 105 yards and a score, in addition to finding Cody Chrest for a key 2-point conversion that cut the SFA lead to 20-14.

On the defensive side, Kay was a menace throughout the day, showing why he was named a Buck Buchanan Award finalist a year ago. The senior from Berkeley, Calif., finished with eight total tackles for the Kats, while also adding 2.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a pass breakup. He was also credited with a pair of quarterback hurries on the afternoon.

His effort helped the Kats hold SFA to just 311 yards of total offense and only one score in the second half, keeping the Kats within striking distance for its fourth-quarter comeback. In all, Sam Houston held the Jacks to just 96 rushing yards, getting home for 8.0 total TFLs and 3.0 sacks. 

Shoemaker, Kay and the rest of the No. 1-ranked Bearkats will now return home to face Lamar on Saturday, October 9. Kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m. and is set to be aired on ESPN+.