Sam Houston State’s football team walked out of Bowers Stadium on Friday afternoon with their heads up, confident about its game the next day.
The same team walked out of the stadium Saturday with their heads down.
“This was the most embarrassing loss I have ever been involved with,” head coach K.C. Keeler said.
In a crowd almost full because of Family Weekend, the Bearkats lost 47-21 to Colorado State-Pueblo at Bowers Stadium on Saturday.
“We have to own this loss,” Keeler said.
The ThunderWolves extended their winning streak to 39 regular season games and snapped the Bearkats home winning streak. SHSU gave up 446 total offensive yards to CSUP. The ThunderWolves’ dominance on the offensive side of the ball was too much for the Bearkats.
Keeler didn’t put the blame on sophomore quarterback Jared Johnson, 14-26 for 72 yards. He also did not blame his offensive line giving up eight sacks nor did he blame his defense giving up 47 points.
“It’s important they understand that we lost,” Keeler said. “I’m as responsible as anyone in that room. Obviously, I didn’t do a good enough job. There’s enough talent on this team to win.”
SHSU had thrown the towel in before the clock had ran out. Senior running back Keshawn Hill found two touchdowns before the end of the game, but it was too little too late.
“We lost the game,” Hill said. “Some people gave up, some people started pointing fingers and some of them cussing each other out. That means you lost right there.”
The Bearkats gave up some big plays and could not make a stop on defense.
CSUP’s running back Cameron McDondle rushed for 118 yards on 14 attempts with two touchdowns. ThunderWolves quarterback Chris Bonner also passed the ball for 255 yards and three touchdowns.
“Everyone has to buy into Keeler and the defensive coordinator,” junior linebacker Tristan Eche said. “When one guy doesn’t buy in, it’s poison to the whole defense.”
The Bearkats have a bye week to prepare for Southland Conference kickoff against Lamar on Sept. 27.
Kickoff is at 7 p.m. in Beaumont.