It was homecoming at Bowers Stadium and No. 2 Sam Houston State welcomed home Bearkat alums with a 48-21 victory over the Abilene Christian Wildcats.
The Kats got off to a slow start. Junior quarterback Jeremiah Briscoe threw two interceptions, and the team failed on a on a fourth-and-goal gamble on the first drive. SHSU eventually got back into character as they went into halftime with a 27-0 lead.
The Bearkats did miss some opportunities early, but in the second and third quarters the whole team pieced together like a puzzle.
“I thought the game unfolded really well for us,” head coach K.C. Keeler said. “We struggled a little bit offensively, and the defense had to make stops, and they made stops. I’m glad the defense held us in there until the offense got clicking again.”
Briscoe, who’s on the STATS FCS Offensive Player of the Year watch list, added to his already impressive stat line for the season; he completed 31 of 39 passes for 404 yards and six touchdowns. Despite the slow start to the game Briscoe was confident that he and the offense would get going.
“I don’t think I was out of rhythm,” Briscoe said. “We just made bad decisions. Once we settled in, we were good to go. I told coach Longo [the offensive coordinator] I was good to go.”
After giving up 48 points last week the defense stepped up in a big way against the Wildcats, allowing only 21 points.
The improvement defensively was led by junior safety Alfonzo McMillan, who had three and a half tackles, a tackle for loss and an interception. McMillan credited the defensive improvement to the coaching staff challenging them this week.
“Coach challenged us,” McMillan said. “The offense has been doing a very good job putting up over 60 points the last two games, so we just wanted to hold our own and do our job.”
The Bearkats’ high-powered offense really seemed to get going when sophomore running back Remus Bulmer entered the game in the second quarter. He broke down the defense for a touchdown and finished the day with 77 yards on 12 carries.
Once the Bearkats got going on the ground they finally looked like the juggernaut they’re capable of being on offense through the air. Redshirt sophomore wide receiver Tyler Scott and freshman wide receiver Nathan Stewart led the Bearkats on the receiving end. Scott finished the game with 130 yards on eight receptions and a touchdown, while Stewart added 129 yards on five receptions and reached the end zone twice.
SHSU (6-0, 5-0 SLC) will hit the road next week to take on the Nicholls Colonels. Kickoff is set for 2:30 pm on Saturday Oct. 22 in Thibodaux, La.