Bearkats win in a battle of 500-yard QBs
HUNTSVILLE — If Sam Houston State is to make a deep playoff run, it took its first step on Saturday afternoon. Despite a third-quarter stumble.
The Bearkats were pretty much unstoppable offensively early in building a 27-point halftime advantage. Things got more interesting in the second half as South Dakota made a charge, getting to within two points.
But Sam Houston State prevailed, holding off the Coyotes 54-42 at Bowers Stadium in a second-round FCS playoff game. In advancing to the quarterfinals for the fourth straight season, quarterback Jeremiah Briscoe and company racked up 708 yards.
“We’re dangerous offensively and we made enough plays on defense,” Bearkats coach K.C Keeler said. “It is the playoffs. It’s what you would expect.”
Sam Houston State (111) next will host Kennesaw State, a triple-option team that upset Jacksonville State. The Bearkats have won 19 consecutive games at Bowers — the longest current streak in FCS.
Briscoe, a senior from Stratford, threw four touchdown passes and passed for 505 yards. Davion Davis caught three first-half touchdown passes and ran for a second-quarter score for the Bearkats, who have won eight straight games.
“We knew it would be a challenge to slow them down,” South Dakota coach Bob Nielson said. “We knew we would have to match points, and we did a poor job in the first half.”
Streveler takes charge
The second half belonged to South Dakota (8-5), which outscored Sam Houston State 28-13 over the final two quarters behind quarterback Chris Streveler, who has an uncanny ability to extend plays. Streveler, who began his college career at Minnesota, threw for five touchdowns and 354 of his 520 passing yards came in the second half.
“You saw two of the best quarterbacks in the country,” Keeler said.
Briscoe completed 28 of 43 passes with one interception. Streveler completed 33 of 54 passes and was picked off twice. Kahlil Welsh’s interception late in the fourth quarter sealed the win for the Bearkats.
Sixth-seeded Sam Houston State never trailed and led 41-14 at halftime in piling up 468 yards.
Saturday’s game matched the top two offenses in FCS and both units delivered. The Bearkats came in averaging 544.6 yards per game and the Coyotes 513.2 yards. South Dakota piled up 647 yards.
Big day for Stewart
Sam Houston State needed only three plays from scrimmage for its first score — a 44-yard Briscoe pass to Davis, who had eight receptions for 131 yards. Nathan Stewart caught seven passes for 180 yards.
The Bearkats’ offense did struggle in the third quarter, going three-and-out in each of their four possessions. In the quarter, Sam Houston State was outgained 200-28 in yards, and South Dakota played itself into the game.
“They changed some things up (in the second half ) and we had to figure it out,” Briscoe said. “Once we made our adjustments, we got rolling. That’s a good team. You can’t expect to roll all night long.”