NEW ORLEANS — It wasn't Easy, but it was Big.
Sam Houston used a stingy defense and clutch plays on offense to knock off Georgia Southern 31-26 in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl at Caesars Superdome on Thursday night.
Jaylon Jimmerson accounted for two of the Bearkats' five turnovers, which tied a New Orleans Bowl record, to become the first defensive player to be named the game's Most Valuable Player since 2004. His first interception resulted in a return for a touchdown which set the tone for Sam Houston to complete a 10-win season and win the program's first-ever appearance in a bowl game.
Quarterback
Hunter Watson threw for 213 yards and accounted for three touchdowns, one passing and two on the ground.
Simeon Evans had seven catches for 85 yards and a score.
The Bearkats (10-3) did not have to wait long to get on the board, and for the second straight season, the first score of the game came via the defense.
Jaylon Jimmerson snagged a pass out of the air by Georgia Southern quarterback JC French and returned it 29-yards for a pick six, three minutes into the first quarter.
The Eagles finally answered with a touchdown in the second quarter to tie the game, but that was about the only thing that went right.
Sam Houston had three interceptions, a second by Jimmerson and one by linebacker
Kavian Gaither, and three sacks by
Issiah Nixon,
Briceon Hayes and
Richard Outland Jr., all coming in the opening half.
Jimmerson's second takeaway led to another touchdown for the Kats after Watson, who completed a Superdome bowl record with 14 straight pass completions to begin the game, connected with Evans for a 33-yard score and a 14-7 lead. Jimmerson used only one hand for his interception, and Watson plunged into the end zone from two yards out to help Sam Houston go up 21-10 at the half.
The third quarter was all Georgia Southern as a field goal right before the break carried over the momentum. The Eagles scored nine straight points to pull within three.
That's when a key personal foul on a facemask that negatived a sack sparked a resurgence for the Bearkats in the fourth quarter. The penalty moved Sam Houston out near midfield, and Watson found Evans for a 32-yard catch and run which featured Evans dragging a pair of defenders to the GS 2-yard line.
Watson put the finishing touches on the gut punch with a sneak and a 28-19 advantage with just over 11 minutes left.
Briceon Hayes was the next Kat up in the turnover department when he reeled in the fourth interception. Sam Houston couldn't turn the turnover into points, but
CJ Johnson striped the punt returner of the ball which led to a 21-yard field goal by
Christian Pavon to nail down the victory.
