9-0
Eastern Kentucky
6-4
Kats clinch playoff berth with win over EKU
11/13/2021 5:41:00 PM | Football
The Kats (9-0) clinched the automatic qualifier into the playoffs from the WAC/ASUN Challenge with the win over the Colonels (6-4), who could have taken the bid for themselves with a win over the reigning champs.
Fans are encouraged to contact the Bearkat Ticket Office to reserve their playoff tickets at 936-294-1729.
That is because an upset not to be in the first meeting between the schools as the Kats staked themselves to a 21-0 halftime lead and never truly felt threatened, doing most of their offensive damage this week through the air, one week after rushing for over 400 yards for the first time since 2013.
Schmid found Ife Adeyi three times in the first half for big plays, the third a 32-yard touchdown, and spread the ball around to six receivers. Adeyi finished with a season-high 138 yards on seven grabs, while Jequez Ezzard racked up 111 yards on nine grabs with a score.
Ramon Jefferson got in the end zone on the ground twice, and Cody Chrest rounded out the scoring with a touchdown and 81 yards receiving. It was Jefferson's first score of the day, a 13-yard run just six minutes into the game, that got the Kats on top.
Ramon Jefferson barrels over defenders and gets in the end zone from 13 yards out #EatEmUpKats pic.twitter.com/VJl8H0Nk4w
— Sam Houston Football (@BearkatsFB) November 13, 2021
Ezzard and Adeyi each added second-quarter scores for that 21-0 edge. The Bearkat defense was also in tip-top shape early on, holding EKU to just 76 total yards in the first half, including -2 on the ground.
Have a day, Ife!!
— Sam Houston Football (@BearkatsFB) November 13, 2021
2Q 3:54| Kats lead 14-0#EatEmUpKats #SuddenLinkScore
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Trevor Williams finished with 11 total tackles and a pair of TFLs to lead the defensive effort, while Zyon McCollum added four stops and an interception, the 13th of his career to put him into a tie with Ronnie Choate for second all-time at SHSU, just one behind Dax Swanson's program record of 14.
Zyon McCollum with his third INT of the season! #EatEmUpKats
— Sam Houston Football (@BearkatsFB) November 13, 2021
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Big sack on third down!!#EatEmUpKats
— Sam Houston Football (@BearkatsFB) November 13, 2021
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EKU tried to get back in it in the second half as quarterback Parker McKinney capped a 75-yard drive with a 10-yard run to cut the lead to 21-7; however, the Kats answered on the ensuing drive with a 26-yard pass from Schmid to Chrest and then another score from Jefferson to up the lead to 35-7 with jut 1:58 to play in the third quarter.
The Colonels made it interesting with a kickoff return touchdown by Davion Ross and a 28-yard pass from McKinney to Jaden Smith to get to within 35-21. But the Kats responded with another 75-yard drive that ended in a 4-yard run from Schmid to put it away.
Schmid stretches out for the pylon and gets his 4th TD of the game to put Sam Houston back up by 21.
— Sam Houston Football (@BearkatsFB) November 13, 2021
9:01 4Q | 42-21, Kats#EatEmUpKats #SuddenLinkScore
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McKinney finished with a nice day, accounting for three total scores and 338 passing yards in the game.
The Kats can finish out its second consecutive perfect regular season and the third since 2016 with a win next week at Abilene Christian. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. from Anthony Field at Wildcat Stadium and will be aired on ESPN+.
Team Stats
EKU 0, SHSU 7
SHSU - Jefferson, Ramo 13 yd run (Morgan, Seth kick), 7 plays, 75 yards, TOP 2:29
EKU 0, SHSU 14
SHSU - Adeyi, Ife 32 yd pass from Schmid, Eric (Morgan, Seth kick) 8 plays, 73 yards, TOP 2:32
EKU 0, SHSU 21
SHSU - Ezzard, Jequez 19 yd pass from Schmid, Eric (Morgan, Seth kick) 6 plays, 60 yards, TOP 1:42
EKU 7, SHSU 21
EKU - Mckinney, P. 10 yd run (Nations, P. kick), 7 plays, 75 yards, TOP 2:11
EKU 7, SHSU 28
SHSU - Chrest, Cody 26 yd pass from Schmid, Eric (Morgan, Seth kick) 7 plays, 76 yards, TOP 3:07
EKU 7, SHSU 35
SHSU - Jefferson, Ramo 1 yd run (Morgan, Seth kick), 3 plays, 48 yards, TOP 1:35
EKU 14, SHSU 35
EKU - Ross, Davion 98 yd kickoff return (Nations, P. kick)
EKU 21, SHSU 35
EKU - Smith, Jaden 28 yd pass from Mckinney, P. (Nations, P. kick) 4 plays, 74 yards, TOP 1:24
EKU 21, SHSU 42
SHSU - Schmid, Eric 4 yd run (Morgan, Seth kick), 12 plays, 75 yards, TOP 5:16
EKU 28, SHSU 42
EKU - Sloan, Braedon 4 yd pass from Mckinney, P. (Nations, P. kick) 15 plays, 89 yards, TOP 5:32
