Thursday, October 5
Lynchburg, Va.
6:00 PM
0-5 , 0-2
16
at
21
Liberty
5-0 , 3-0
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
Sam Houston
10
0
6
0
16
Liberty
7
14
0
0
21
Photo by: Brisenia Flores
Football falls short at Liberty
10/5/2023 11:11:00 PM | Football
LYNCHBURG, Va. – For the second straight week, the Bearkats played a game down to the wire, and for the second straight week, they came up just short.
Playing on the road for the first time in Conference USA play, the Kats gave the unbeaten Liberty Flames all they could handle Thursday night in a 21-16 loss.
Trailing at the half by 11, the Bearkat defense pitched a shutout in the second half, giving the team the chance for a win.
Trailing by 5, quarterback Keegan Shoemaker led a drive the started on his own 1-yard line with three minutes left to play. Shoemaker marched the Kats to the Liberty 3 before a final 4th-down pass with seven seconds remaining fell incomplete.
Shoemaker led a pair of touchdown drives in the game, twice connecting with Al'vonte Woodard for scores. The two first hooked up for a touchdown on the opening drive of the game for the Bearkats, answering a score by Liberty.
Shoemaker and Woodard connected again midway through the third quarter on a 20-yard score. The two-point conversion attempt was no good, cutting the Liberty lead to 21-16.
Shoemaker completed 27 of 41 passes for 255 yards and the two touchdowns. He also added 52 yards on the ground on seven carries.
Noah Smith led all receivers with 13 catches for 97 yards. Malik Phillips also topped 90 yards receiving hauling in five balls for 94 yards.
The Kats have a quick turnaround with another conference road game on Wednesday when they take on New Mexico State.
Playing on the road for the first time in Conference USA play, the Kats gave the unbeaten Liberty Flames all they could handle Thursday night in a 21-16 loss.
Trailing at the half by 11, the Bearkat defense pitched a shutout in the second half, giving the team the chance for a win.
Trailing by 5, quarterback Keegan Shoemaker led a drive the started on his own 1-yard line with three minutes left to play. Shoemaker marched the Kats to the Liberty 3 before a final 4th-down pass with seven seconds remaining fell incomplete.
Shoemaker led a pair of touchdown drives in the game, twice connecting with Al'vonte Woodard for scores. The two first hooked up for a touchdown on the opening drive of the game for the Bearkats, answering a score by Liberty.
Shoemaker and Woodard connected again midway through the third quarter on a 20-yard score. The two-point conversion attempt was no good, cutting the Liberty lead to 21-16.
Shoemaker completed 27 of 41 passes for 255 yards and the two touchdowns. He also added 52 yards on the ground on seven carries.
Noah Smith led all receivers with 13 catches for 97 yards. Malik Phillips also topped 90 yards receiving hauling in five balls for 94 yards.
The Kats have a quick turnaround with another conference road game on Wednesday when they take on New Mexico State.
Team Stats
SHS
LIB
Total Yards
327
448
Pass Yards
255
257
Rushing Yards
72
191
Penalty Yards
25
79
1st Downs
19
19
3rd Downs
4
7
4th Downs
1
0
TOP
27:24
32:36
1st Quarter
SHS 0, LIB 7
LIB - Salter,Kaidon 10 yd run (Brown,Nick kick), 5 plays, 74 yards, TOP 02:02
SHS 7, LIB 7
SHS - Woodard,Al'Vonte 7 yd pass from Shoemaker,Keegan (Sessums,Colby kick) 12 plays, 85 yards, TOP 06:00
SHS 10, LIB 7
SHS - Sessums,Colby 33 yd field goal 4 plays, 4 yards, TOP 01:32
2nd Quarter
SHS 10, LIB 14
LIB - Cooley,Quinton 1 yd run (Brown,Nick kick), 9 plays, 77 yards, TOP 04:26
SHS 10, LIB 21
LIB - Daniels,CJ 51 yd pass from Salter,Kaidon (Brown,Nick kick) 4 plays, 62 yards, TOP 01:15
3rd Quarter
SHS 16, LIB 21
SHS - Woodard,Al'Vonte 20 yd pass from Shoemaker,Keegan () 6 plays, 68 yards, TOP 02:48
Game Leaders
CMP
27
TD
2
YDS
255
INT
1
CMP
0
TD
0
YDS
0
INT
0
Players Mentioned
WR
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