Bearkats overcome mistakes in bounce-back victory
Redshirt-freshman QB Brock throws for 305 yards; blocked field goal sets up win
HUNTSVILLE — A change at quarterback reversed Sam Houston State’s recent setbacks. Ty Brock knocked off the rust and met the challenge on Saturday.
However, the star for the Bearkats was Tre Honshtein. His 34yard field goal in overtime sent the Bearkats to a 34-31 win over Central Arkansas at Bowers Stadium, snapping the Kats’ two-game losing streak.
“It’s going to be the spark we need,” Bearkats coach K.C. Keeler said. “We put ourselves back in the hunt. Now we have to worry about going 3-2. I liked the emotion on our sideline, even after we gave up big plays.”
Down to the wire
Central Arkansas stormed back from a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit to tie the game at 31-all to end regulation.
The Bears had possession of the ball first in overtime. Sam Houston’s Scean Mustin blocked a 34-yard field-goal attempt by Matt Cummins, setting up Honshtein’s heroics.
Brock wasn’t perfect, committing two costly turnovers, but he was the catalyst in Sam Houston improving to 2-2 overall and 1-1 in the Southland Conference. The redshirt freshman ran for two touchdowns and 73 yards and passed for another score. In replacing Mike Dare, who started the Kats’ first three games, Brock passed for 305 yards, directing the offense to four touchdowns and 470 yards of offense.
“I like his poise,” Keeler said. “He’ll continue to get better, but he needs to put the ball away.”
Brock was making his first start for Sam Houston, which avoided losing three straight games for the first time since 2010. When Brock played the final two series in last week’s 27-7 loss at Nicholls, the 6-4, 210-pounder hadn’t played competitive football in nearly two years. Brock played only three total quarters as a junior and senior at College Station High School due to injuries.
“Knowing I had the support of the team, that made me feel comfortable on the field,” said Brock, who completed 27-of-43 passes with one interception. “When they told me I was going to be the starter (earlier in the week), that was as nervous as I was.
“By game day, I was ready. The nerves went away after the first play.”
Sam Houston went ahead 31-17 on Honshtein’s 32-yard field goal with 10:55 remaining in the game.
But Central Arkansas, the reigning SLC champions and the only team to hand Sam Houston a league loss in 2017, wouldn’t go away.
In the final quarter, Kierre Crossley scored on a 38-yard run. And the 12th-ranked Bears sent the game into overtime at 31-31 with 2:20 left in regulation. Jack Short caught a 3-yard pass from backup quarterback Kirk Baugh, who, late in the fourth quarter, replaced the injured Breylin Smith, who exited with a right ankle injury after throwing for 234 yards. Cummins kicked the extra point.
The Bears (2-2, 1-1), who totaled 441 yards, completed a 99-yard second-quarter drive when Smith hooked up with an uncovered Jakari Dillard for an 80-yard score. Cummins, who opened the scoring with a 29-yard field goal in the first quarter, converted the point after for a 10-7 lead.
Making all the right plays
Special teams and the defense also made contributions for Sam Houston. Matt McRobert boomed a school-record 74-yard second-quarter punt that was downed on the 2-yard line. Strong safety Adrian Contreras was in on several key tackles, totaling 10. In the second quarter, Davion Davis made a spectacular catch with a one-handed grab for 20 yards to the UCA 2. On the next play, Brock carried the ball in for his first rushing touchdown.
Central Arkansas’ previous loss was at Tulsa 38-27 in its opener. The Bears have not finished lower than third in the SLC standings since 2010.