HUNTSVILLE – After a challenging start to their journey in FBS play, the Sam Houston Bearkats have turned things around this season.
The Bearkats have secured victories against two established FBS teams, including a win over last year’s Conference USA championship squad. With three wins under their belt in just four games, they are now halfway to bowl eligibility.
In their latest matchup, the Bearkats achieved their first CUSA victory of the season by defeating New Mexico State 31-11.
“It was a solid team win. New Mexico State pushed Liberty hard, so we knew they would be a tough team to face,” said Bearkats head coach K.C. Keeler. “Overall, I thought our defense performed well, and our offense showed promise at times, even if it was a bit inconsistent. It was great to see Jase get into the game.”
Hunter Watson was back at the helm for most of the game, showcasing his running skills. He scored a 46-yard touchdown and led the team with 116 rushing yards, adding two rushing touchdowns. After taking several hits, Keeler opted to bring in Jase Bauer, marking the second time this season he has done so with Watson.
Watson carried the ball 12 times and endured significant contact. Bauer capitalized on his opportunities, completing three of five passes for 38 yards, including a touchdown throw to Simeon Evans.
“We need to address some issues; there were still too many mistakes on offense. We’ll evaluate whether to simplify things or change up personnel,” Keeler stated. “At critical moments, we struggled with mistakes that put us in tough situations. Fortunately, we made some key plays on third down, but we had too many long third downs for controllable reasons.”
Jay Ducker, who had a standout performance against Hawaii, started the game but was limited, rushing 20 times for 38 yards and scoring a touchdown. The running game struggled overall, with just 96 yards between Ducker and DJ McKinney when excluding the quarterback’s rushing yards.
“The defensive strategy dictated our approach; we exploited the open lanes for the quarterback. If they had played us differently, we would have handed the ball off more,” Keeler explained. “Both runners performed well, and we’re fortunate to have them.”
Despite missing key players Da’Veawn Armstead and Issiah Nixon due to injury, the Bearkats’ defense held strong. Huntsville native Briceon Hayes led the defense with six tackles and a sack, while Isaiah Cash and Caleb Weaver each recorded an interception.
New Mexico State was limited to just 152 total yards, with 74 passing yards.
“Isaiah Nixon is an invaluable player, and although he wanted to play, we had to consider the long-term implications of risking further injury. It was tough to hold out one of our best players, but it allowed other players a chance to step up,” Keeler remarked.
OFFENSIVE CHALLENGES
While there’s not a sense of panic regarding the offense, the Bearkats have utilized two quarterbacks in half of their games. Watson has not missed a start but has been substituted twice due to taking a lot of hits.
Although he was sacked once against the Aggies, Watson took a heavy hit after a run. Following the Rice game, his performance waned, as he completed only 43% of his passes for 64 yards against New Mexico State.
“Hunter has taken some hard hits and wasn’t at 100% running-wise. Jase is exceptionally fast, so it was an easy choice to put him in. Why risk further injury to Hunter?” Keeler said.
Bauer has shown promise, throwing two touchdowns in two appearances with a 65% completion rate, effectively taking advantage of his opportunities.
While Watson remains the primary quarterback for now, Keeler indicated potential changes on offense.
O-LINE INJURIES
In one play, both Ethan Hagler and James Dawn II were injured, with Hagler having faced multiple injuries this season. Keeler believes they will be able to practice and play without significant downtime.
SWARMING DEFENSE
The Bearkats pride themselves on their defense, and it remains strong under the new coordinator. They are limiting opponents to 20.75 points per game, a number skewed by a single high-scoring game. Against similar teams, they have allowed an average of only 12.7 points.
Depth has been crucial, allowing multiple defensive linemen to rotate even with injuries. Kavian Gaither is still seeking a breakout game, but his teammates are stepping up.
With their current form, the Bearkats could pose challenges for opposing teams as the season progresses.
BOWL ELIGIBILITY
Sam Houston is on the verge of achieving bowl eligibility, having recorded three wins and needing just one more victory from their remaining six games. They’ve already defeated two teams they are set to face again.
“We aim to be conference contenders. Winning a conference game at home is essential, especially with homecoming approaching. We want to create a lasting impression,” Keeler mentioned. “It’s notable that we’ve matched last year’s win total already, and we’re openly discussing our goal of bowl eligibility.”
NEXT UP
The Bearkats face what could be their toughest challenge yet against Texas State, reviving an old rivalry from the Southland Conference. The two teams haven’t met since 2011, when the Bearkats won 36-14.
Now, Texas State is among the favorites for a top spot in the Group of Five and could significantly impact the Bearkats’ standing with a win.
Sam Houston will take on Texas State at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28, at NRG Stadium.
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