Tied for second place in the Southland Conference entering Saturday’s matchup, Sam Houston State University dropped a must-win game to the University of Incarnate Word Cardinals 43-26, thwarting any chance SHSU had left at making the playoffs.
Key Plays
1Q 12:30 | After a muffed punt delayed SHSU’s first offensive possession, the Kats defense held strong and forced a turnover on downs at their own 38-yard line.
1Q 10:30 | Freshman quarterback Ty Brock threw an opening-drive interception for the fourth time this season. The pick resulted in a touchdown for UIW on their ensuing possession as the Cardinals grabbed a 6-0 lead.
1Q 6:45 | The Kats’ defense forced a three-and-out helped by a second down sack by junior linebacker Royce See. Brock then connected with junior wide receiver Nathan Stewart for a 37-yard touchdown to put SHSU on top 7-6.
1Q :31 | Senior kicker Tre Honshtein drilled a 37-yd field goal to extend the lead to 10-6. He made another field goal with 9:13 left in the second quarter to make it 13-6 SHSU.
2Q 6:00 | Freshman receiver Dee Bowens showed off his speed on a 51-yard pitch-and-catch from Brock.
2Q 4:20 | Freshman runningback Chase McCray fumbled in the red zone. UIW recovered and put together a drive with three explosive plays of over 15 yards that ended in a field goal to close the gap to 13-9 with 1:44 left in the first half. 2Q 1:50 | Brock threw his second pick of the game as he was intercepted by senior linebacker Silas Stewart at the SHSU 35-yard line. UIW used just one play and nine seconds as a 30-yard touchdown pass gave the Cardinals a 16-13 lead heading into halftime.
HALFTIME | UIW 16- SHSU 13
3Q 13:28 | SHSU suffered a three-and-out on its first drive of the second half, and UIW had a two-play, 20-second drive that saw a short screen pass result in a 71-yard touchdown to extend the lead to 23-13.
3Q 12:57 | The Bearkats needed just one play to respond as Brock found Stewart for an 80-yd touchdown pass. UIW remained on top 23-20.
3Q 10:46| Cardinals’ junior defensive back Javon Burse picked up a scoop-and-score after a fumble by Brock. The 46-yard return extended UIW’s lead to 30-20.
The Cardinals tacked on a couple more touchdowns as they held a commanding 43-20 lead late in the fourth quarter. Redshirt junior quarterback Mike Dare hooked up with freshman receiver Dewaylo Ingram in the endzone with less than two minutes left, but UIW eventually picked up the victory 43-26 victory.
SHSU returns home to face Abilene Christian University Saturday at 2:30 p.m. on Military Appreciation and Seniors Day.
Standout Statistics
SHSU had seven turnovers .
UIW was 8-20 on third down conversions. SHSU was just 1-13.
Senior defensive end Derick Roberson added two more sacks to his impressive season.
Stewart finished the contest with seven receptions for 157 yards and two touchdowns.
Players & Coaches Quotes
Head coach K.C. Keeler: “It’s really hard to win when you don’t play clean, and we did not play clean. This is the winningest senior class in the history of this program, and we need to choose to send these guys out the right way. It’s been a great run for this senior class, and it’s disappointing that it’s not going to be a playoff team.”
Roberson: “In the last two games I’m just hoping we come out victorious. It’s my last year, so I just want to give my all.”
Stewart: “I just wanted to play for my brother. Davion [Davis] was hurt, and I just wanted to pick up the extra slack for him. We weren’t really used to Ty [Brock], but as the season goes on and progresses I’m getting really comfortable with Ty. I think it’s going to be really good looking forward.”
