4-0 , 4-0
Northwestern State
0-5 , 0-5
Kats hold off Demons in Thursday clash
4/1/2021 10:16:00 PM | Football
The Kats (4-0, 4-0 SLC) never trailed, but struggled to put the Demons (0-5, 0-5 SLC) away throughout the night, despite recovering three fumbles and allowing just 31 rushing yards on the night.
NSU junior quarterback Bryce Rivers looked strong in his second start of the year, completing 29 of his 51 passes for 410 yards, much in the second half in the Demon comeback attempt.
The win for the Kats not only kept its perfect record alive in the spring season, but marked the third win in a row for SHSU at Turpin Stadium, something the team has never done in a series that dates back to 1929.
Eric Schmid threw for 312 yards and a pair of scores, while Ramon Jefferson delivered his second 100-yard rushing game of the year with 109 yards on 18 carries. Ife Adeyi and Cody Chrest each turned in big receiving nights with Adeyi hauling in six passes for 134 yards and a score, while Chrest had seasons highs with five grabs for 98 yards and a score.
Sam Houston got rolling early as Quentin Brown forced a fumble on the opening Demon drive that Markel Perry fell on. Six plays later Schmid found Cody Chrest up the left sideline for a 28-yard score that put the Kats out in front 7-0, just 3:17 into the game.
Six plays later and Eric Schmid finds Cody Chrest for a 28 yard TD!! Bearkats lead 7-0 with 11:35 remaining in the first quarter.#EatEmUpKats
— Sam Houston Football (@BearkatsFB) April 1, 2021
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From there the game featured the Bearkat defense as it held the Demons to 163 yards in the half, sacking NSU quarterback Bryce Rivers four times and allowing just 26 yards on the ground.
Sam Houston was able to rack up 241 yards of offense on its side, but was unable to get back in the end zone until late in the second quarter. NSU blocked a Bearkat field goal try in the second quarter, but one drive later Schmid found Ife Adeyi on a screen pass for a 19-yard touchdown to put the Kats up two scores at 14-0.
TOUCHDOWN BEARKATS!!
— Sam Houston Football (@BearkatsFB) April 2, 2021
The first score of the second quarter by either team goes to Sam Houston as Schmid finds Ife Adeyi for the 19 yard TD. 14-0 Kats lead with 2:19 remaining in the half.#EatEmUpKats
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Rivers was able to lead the Demons down the field on their final drive of the half, setting up a 35-yard field goal by Eddie Godina that split the uprights to get NSU on the board and make it a 14-3 game at the half.
The Kats were able to overcome an interception on the first drive of the second half by getting into the end zone on their next drive. A 30-yard completion from Schmid to Chrest set Sam Houston up deep in the red zone with the drive capped by a 6-yard touchdown run form Donovan Williams, his second of the season and 16th of his career.
Seth Morgan added a 41-yard field goal later, but the Demons continued to move the ball through the air, but Zyon McCollum and Jaylen Thomas both forced key fumbles late in the fourth quarter to help thwart Demon scoring opportunities.
Jaylen Thomas forces the fumble and Braiden Clopton scoops it up to give the ball right back to Sam Houston here in the third quarter.#EatEmUpKats
— Sam Houston Football (@BearkatsFB) April 2, 2021
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The Bearkats will now return home next Saturday to close out the home portion of the regular season against McNeese.
Interview with K.C. Keeler following @BearkatsFB 24-16 road win against Northwestern State pic.twitter.com/mpXtQouA37
— BearkatSportsNetwork (@BearkatVid) April 2, 2021
Team Stats
SHSU 7, NSU 0
SHSU - Chrest, Cody 28 yd pass from Schmid, Eric (Morgan, Seth kick) 6 plays, 51 yards, TOP 1:40
SHSU 14, NSU 0
SHSU - Adeyi, Ife 19 yd pass from Schmid, Eric (Morgan, Seth kick) 8 plays, 76 yards, TOP 3:14
SHSU 14, NSU 3
NSU - Godina, Eddie 35 yd field goal 12 plays, 62 yards, TOP 2:12
SHSU 21, NSU 3
SHSU - Williams, Donov 6 yd run (Morgan, Seth kick), 7 plays, 70 yards, TOP 2:12
SHSU 21, NSU 9
NSU - Bridges, Marqui 20 yd pass from Rivers, Bryce (Godina, Eddie kickblocked) 1 plays, 20 yards, TOP 0:06
SHSU 24, NSU 9
SHSU - Morgan, Seth 41 yd field goal 8 plays, 50 yards, TOP 3:30
SHSU 24, NSU 16
NSU - Antonio, Javon 7 yd pass from Rivers, Bryce (Godina, Eddie kick) 12 plays, 85 yards, TOP 2:12
