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Sam Houston State took a significant step Thursday with a 41-21 win over UTEP. The Bearkats jumped out to an early lead, which they stretched to three scores on their first possession of the second half. From there, Sam Houston cruised to victory.
Sam Houston State is in its second season in FBS football and is approaching eligibility for the program's first-ever bowl game. The Bearkats went 3-9 last year, starting 0-8 before winning three of their last four games, including a pair of CUSA wins. Sam Houston has now opened 2024 on a 5-1 start, losing only to UCF. Last week, the Bearkats won a 40-39 thriller over Texas State.
On the other hand, UTEP has started 2024 on a 0-4 run. New coach Scotty Walden is still searching for his first win. The Miners entered today 129th of 134 FBS teams in scoring, averaging just 14.5 points per game. UTEP's last winning season was a 7-6 campaign in 2021.
Sam Houston State vs. UTEP Box Score
Sam Houston State Passing Stats
Sam Houston State Rushing and Receiving Stats
Sam Houston State Kicking Stats
UTEP Passing Stats
UTEP Rushing and Receiving Stats
UTEP Kicking Stats
Sam Houston put together a 75-yard scoring march off the opening kickoff, culminating in a 39-yard gallop from running back Jay Ducker. That score gave the Bearkats a 7-0 edge just 2:15 into the game.
From there, the defenses mostly took over, as neither team was able to mount a scoring drive until Sam Houston put together a 10-play, 81-yard drive. That march ended in a 23-yard scoring run from DJ McKinney with 4:24 left in the half.
UTEP was able to get back into the game after a 66-yard punt backed up Sam Houston to their own 1. QB Hunter Watson then fumbled and the loose ball was recovered by UTEP's Kory Chapman for a touchdown to pull within 14-7 before a last-second field goal extended Sam Houston's edge to 17-7 at halftime.
UTEP then went three and out to open the second half before Sam Houston struck again with a Watson to Qua'Vez Humphreys 33-yard touchdown to stretch the lead to 24-7. Later in the quarter, Watson added a 34-yard score to Michael Phoenix II and the route was on.
- Sam Houston: Jay Ducker 39-yard TD run, (Pavon XPT), 7-0, 12:45 left in 1st
- Sam Houston: DJ McKinney 23-yard TD run, (Pavon XPT), 14-0, 4:24 left in 2nd
- UTEP: Kory Chapman 0-yard fumble return, (Flabiano XPT) 14-7, 3:12 left in 2nd
- Sam Houston: Christian Pavon 19-yard field goal, 17-7, 0:17 left in 2nd
- Sam Houston: Qua'Vez Humphreys 33-yard TD pass from Hunter Watson (Pavon XPT), 24-7, 13:23 left in 3rd
- Sam Houston: Michael Phoenix II 34-yard TD pass from Hunter Watson (Pavon XPT), 31-7, 5:48 left in 3rd
- Sam Houston: DJ McKinney 59-yard TD run (Pavon XPT), 38-7, 3:03 left in 3rd
- UTEP: Marcus Vinson 52-yard TD pass from Cade McConnell (Flabiano XPT), 38-14, 0:23 left in 3rd
- UTEP: Ezell Jolly four-yard TD run, (Flabiano XPT), 38-21, 9:25 left in 4th
- Sam Houston: Christian Pavon 42-yard field goal, 41-21, 2:07 left in 4th
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