Sam Houston State’s rushing game was too much for Lamar to handle in Saturday’s 42-10 victory in the opening Southland Conference game for the Bearkats.

The sophomore running back from the University of Texas, Jalen Overstreet, finished off with 132 rushing yards on nine attempts against the Cardinals defense that couldn’t seem to stop him. Overstreet’s 50-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter put SHSU up 32-10 sealed the game for the Bearkats.

“It was an amazing game,” head coach K.C. Keeler said. “After the loss two weeks ago against Colorado State-Pueblo, the kids didn’t respond by pouting. They responded by getting back to work. This was a very physical game.”

SHSU rushed the ball 46 times and attempted 35 passes. Running backs Donavan Williams and senior Keshawn Hill contributed to the run game with three trips to the end zone combined. Williams rushed for 36 yards, averaging four yards a carry. Sophomore quarterback Jared Johnson showed his ability to scramble by rushing for 78 yards.

Leaning towards the running game in the Bearkats victory opened up the passing game for Johnson. Johnson went 18-34 with 164 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions.

Junior Derreck Edwards and redshirt freshman Yedidiah Louis were the star receivers in the win. Edwards had four catches for 52 yards, and Louis had five catches for 43 yards.

There were zero turnovers from the Bearkats offense which dominated in total yards with 441 totals for the game.

The Cardinals could not find any rhythm in their running game as the Bearkats rushing defense held Lamar to only 101 total rushing yards. The Cardinals only averaged 2.8 yards per carry.

The Bearkats will enter their second bye week to prepare for a tough opponent in McNeese State on Homecoming Day.

Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. at Bowers Stadium on Oct. 12.