In a game that was nothing short of amazing on the offensive side of the ball, the Kats ended up falling two points shy, losing 48-46 to the University of Central Arkansas. It was the first football game televised for the Bearkats since Nov. 17, 2007, but that outcome was much better than this one, with SHSU beating Texas State.
In a game that featured just under 1,000 yards of total offense by the two teams, it was decided by a defensive stop by the Bears. With the Bearkats down by two with 1:40 left to play they elected to go for the two point conversion. Rhett Bomar attempted to connect a pass with Chris Lucas, but UCA’s Derrick Boyd broke up the pass to keep the two point lead for them.
The game featured only three punts, one by SHSU and two by UCA.
The game started off with Bomar connecting with Catron Houston for a 31-yard touchdown on the first drive of the game, capping off a 7-play 75-yard drive.
Central Arkansas’s Nathan Brown hooked up with Willie Landers for a 10-yard touchdown pass on the ensuing possession.
After a fumble by Melvis Pride, the Bears marched down the field and Eddie Carmona hit a 19-yard field goal. On the kickoff, UCA’s Brett Orr jarred the ball loose from Wonsele Brewer and UCA recovered on the SHSU 27. Two minutes later Carmona hit another field goal to put the Bears up 13-7.
The Bearkats answered with a 4-yard run by Bomar to make the score 13-13, but missed the extra point. UCA added another touchdown before the first quarter was up.
James Aston added a rushing touchdown at the start of the second quarter to tie it up again. UCA added another touchdown before halftime to take a 34-27 lead.
After a huge first half, the two teams only scored 10 points in the third quarter. Bomar connected with Houston again for a 9-yard touchdown. Taylor Wilkins added a 37-yard field goal.
The fourth quarter was almost as exciting as the first half with the two teams scoring on every possession. Brett Grimes started the fourth quarter with a 12-yard rushing score to help the Bears take the lead again.
The next possession put the Bearkats within one point on another field goal by Wilkins.
On the ensuing possession Brown connected with Landers for a 60-yard score to take the lead for good.
Missed tackles and turnovers proved fatal for Sam Houston. SHSU coach Todd Whitten said, “We didn’t tackle very well, and I think that has to do with their speed. We knew they had a very good offense and I thought we played well at times, but they got the ball to their skilled guys and made some plays.”
Bomar finished with 425 total yards and Aston had 136-yards rushing on 16 carries, but it was not enough. Justin Wells caught six passes for 101 yards.
SHSU is now 2-2 on the season and comes back home for Homecoming when they take on McNeese State, Saturday, October 18.