2020 Sam Houston State Bearkats football team
2020 Sam Houston State Bearkats football | |
---|---|
NCAA Division I champion Southland champion | |
NCAA Division I Championship Game, W 23–21 vs. South Dakota State | |
Conference | Southland Conference |
Ranking | |
STATS | No. 1 |
FCS Coaches | No. 1 |
Record | 10–0 (6–0 Southland) |
Head coach |
|
Offensive coordinator | Ryan Carty (3rd season) |
Offensive scheme | Spread option |
Defensive coordinator | Clayton Carlin (4th season) |
Base defense | 4–2–5 |
Home stadium | Bowers Stadium |
Conf | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Team | W | L | W | L | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 1 Sam Houston State $^ | 6 | – | 0 | 10 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 20 Southeastern Louisiana | 4 | – | 2 | 4 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 23 Nicholls | 3 | – | 3 | 4 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Incarnate Word | 3 | – | 3 | 3 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lamar | 2 | – | 4 | 2 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
McNeese State* | 2 | – | 4 | 3 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Northwestern State | 1 | – | 5 | 1 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
The 2020 Sam Houston State Bearkats football team represented Sam Houston State University in the 2020–21 NCAA Division I FCS football season as a member of the Southland Conference. The Bearkats were led by seventh-year head coach K. C. Keeler and played their home games at Bowers Stadium.
Background
[edit]In August 2020, the Southland Conference canceled all fall sports due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, with the hope that sports would be playable in Spring 2021. That decision canceled all 12 games of the Bearkats' original schedule, putting their season on hold indefinitely.[1] A revised schedule for Spring 2021 was later released.
Preseason
[edit]Preseason poll
[edit]The Southland Conference released their spring preseason poll in January 2021. The Bearkats were picked to finish second in the conference.[2] In addition, nine Bearkats were chosen to the Preseason All-Southland Team[3]
Predicted finish | Team | Votes (1st place) |
---|---|---|
1 | Nicholls | 67 (7) |
2 | Sam Houston State | 65 (6) |
3 | Southeastern Louisiana | 48 |
4 | McNeese State | 45 (1) |
5 | Incarnate Word | 32 |
6 | Northwestern State | 20 |
7 | Lamar | 17 |
Preseason All–Southland Teams
[edit] Offense 1st Team
2nd Team
| Defense 1st Team
2nd Team
|
Roster
[edit]2020 Sam Houston State Bearkats football team roster | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Players | Coaches | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Offense
| Defense
| Special teams
|
Roster |
Schedule
[edit]Sam Houston State had games scheduled against Mississippi Valley State and Tarleton State, but were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[4][5]
In the delayed 2020 season, played in early 2021, the Bearkats went 6–0 in regular season games. The team then won four games in the FCS Playoffs to complete an undefeated 10–0 season, including a 23–21 victory over South Dakota State in the FCS Championship Game, securing the Bearkats their first FCS title.
Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
February 27, 2021 | 6:00 p.m. | No. 18 Southeastern Louisiana | No. 17 | ESPN+ | W 43–38 | 2,612 | |
March 13, 2021 | 12:00 p.m. | No. 7 Nicholls | No. 12 |
| ESPN+ | W 71–17 | 2,103 |
March 20, 2021 | 6:00 p.m. | at Lamar | No. 7 | ESPN+ | W 62–7 | 2,845 | |
April 1, 2021 | 6:00 p.m. | at Northwestern State | No. 5 | ESPN+ | W 24–16 | 1,221 | |
April 10, 2021 | 4:00 p.m. | McNeese State | No. 5 |
| ESPN+ | W 27–13 | 3,103 |
April 17, 2021 | 11:00 a.m. | at No. 25 Incarnate Word | No. 5 | ESPN+ | W 42–14 | 743 | |
April 24, 2021 | 11:00 a.m. | No. 10 Monmouth* | No. 4 |
| ESPN3 | W 21–15 | 2,078 |
May 2, 2021 | 2:00 p.m. | No. 6 North Dakota State* | No. 4 |
| ESPN | W 24–20 | 4,984 |
May 8, 2021 | 1:30 p.m. | No. 1 James Madison* | No. 4 |
| ABC | W 38–35 | 5,038 |
May 16, 2021 | 1:00 p.m. | vs. No. 2 South Dakota State* | No. 4 | ABC | W 23–21 | 7,840 | |
|
Game summaries
[edit]No. 18 Southeastern Louisiana
[edit]Pregame line | Over/under |
---|---|
SHSU −4.5 | 54 |
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 18 Lions | 7 | 10 | 14 | 7 | 38 |
No. 17 Bearkats | 10 | 10 | 14 | 9 | 43 |
Game information |
---|
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
|
Statistics | SELA | SHSU |
---|---|---|
First downs | 27 | 26 |
Total yards | 536 | 672 |
Rushing yards | 74 | 244 |
Passing yards | 462 | 428 |
Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
Time of possession | 33:02 | 26:58 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
Southeastern Louisiana | Passing | Cole Kelley | 36/53, 462 yards, 4 TD |
Rushing | Morgan Ellison | 12 carries, 29 yards | |
Receiving | C. J. Turner | 11 receptions, 150 yards, 2 TD | |
Sam Houston State | Passing | Eric Schmid | 25/40, 428 yards, 2 TD |
Rushing | Ramon Jefferson | 12 carries, 139 yards, TD | |
Receiving | Chandler Harvin | 7 receptions, 118 yards |
No. 7 Nicholls
[edit]Pregame line | Over/under |
---|---|
NICH −49.0 | 60 |
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 7 Colonels | 7 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 17 |
No. 12 Bearkats | 7 | 23 | 20 | 21 | 71 |
at Bowers Stadium, Huntsville, Texas
Game information |
---|
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
|
Statistics | NICH | SHSU |
---|---|---|
First downs | 19 | 23 |
Total yards | 337 | 556 |
Rushing yards | 118 | 190 |
Passing yards | 219 | 366 |
Turnovers | 4 | 2 |
Time of possession | 28:54 | 31:06 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
Nicholls | Passing | Lindsey Scott Jr. | 14/35, 186 yards, TD, INT |
Rushing | Dontaze Costly | 3 carries, 41 yards | |
Receiving | Dai'Jean Dixon | 5 receptions, 83 yards, TD | |
Sam Houston State | Passing | Eric Schmid | 21/32, 366 yards, 6 TD, 2 INT |
Rushing | Daryon Triche | 5 carries, 60 yards | |
Receiving | Jequez Ezzard | 3 receptions, 139 yards, 2 TD |
At Lamar
[edit]Pregame line | Over/under |
---|---|
SHSU −29.0 | 61 |
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 7 Bearkats | 7 | 31 | 17 | 7 | 62 |
Cardinals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
Game information |
---|
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
|
Statistics | SHSU | LAM |
---|---|---|
First downs | 22 | 9 |
Total yards | 531 | 181 |
Rushing yards | 181 | 28 |
Passing yards | 350 | 153 |
Turnovers | 4 | 4 |
Time of possession | 27:57 | 32:03 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
Sam Houston State | Passing | Eric Schmid | 19/29, 343 yards, 2 TD, INT |
Rushing | Donovan Williams | 7 carries, 47 yards, TD | |
Receiving | Jequez Ezzard | 4 receptions, 130 yards, 2 TD | |
Lamar | Passing | Austin Scott | 10/19, 123 yards, TD, 2 INT |
Rushing | Jaylon Jackson | 6 carries, 40 yards | |
Receiving | Jaylon Jackson | 3 receptions, 66 yards, TD |
At Northwestern State
[edit]Pregame line | Over/under |
---|---|
SHSU −27.5 | 67 |
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 5 Bearkats | 7 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 24 |
Demons | 0 | 3 | 0 | 13 | 16 |
Game information |
---|
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
|
Statistics | SHSU | NWST |
---|---|---|
First downs | 23 | 24 |
Total yards | 445 | 453 |
Rushing yards | 133 | 43 |
Passing yards | 312 | 410 |
Turnovers | 2 | 3 |
Time of possession | 32:30 | 27:30 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
Sam Houston State | Passing | Eric Schmid | 22/41, 312 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT |
Rushing | Ramon Jefferson | 18 carries, 107 yards | |
Receiving | Ife Adeyi | 6 receptions, 134 yards, TD | |
Northwestern State | Passing | Bryce Rivers | 29/51, 410 yards, 2 TD |
Rushing | Scooter Adams | 13 carries, 34 yards | |
Receiving | Javon Antonio | 10 receptions, 190 yards, TD |
McNeese State
[edit]Pregame line | Over/under |
---|---|
SHSU −15.0 | 59 |
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cowboys | 3 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 13 |
No. 5 Bearkats | 7 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 27 |
at Bowers Stadium, Huntsville, Texas
Game information |
---|
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
|
Statistics | MCN | SHSU |
---|---|---|
First downs | 19 | 19 |
Total yards | 328 | 392 |
Rushing yards | 37 | 190 |
Passing yards | 291 | 202 |
Turnovers | 1 | 3 |
Time of possession | 30:02 | 29:58 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
McNeese State | Passing | Cody Orgeron | 27/42, 291 yards, TD |
Rushing | Cody Orgeron | 18 carries, 18 yards | |
Receiving | Joshua Matthews | 6 receptions, 95 yards, TD | |
Sam Houston State | Passing | Eric Schmid | 12/24, 202 yards, TD, 2 INT |
Rushing | Eric Schmid | 15 carries, 92 yards | |
Receiving | Jequez Ezzard | 3 receptions, 87 yards |
At No. 25 Incarnate Word
[edit]Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 5 Bearkats | 0 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 42 |
No. 25 Cardinals | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 14 |
Game information |
---|
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
|
Statistics | SHSU | UIW |
---|---|---|
First downs | 29 | 21 |
Total yards | 599 | 340 |
Rushing yards | 229 | 35 |
Passing yards | 370 | 305 |
Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
Time of possession | 32:52 | 27:08 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
Sam Houston State | Passing | Eric Schmid | 25/34, 370 yards, TD |
Rushing | Ramon Jefferson | 13 carries, 92 yards, TD | |
Receiving | Jequez Ezzard | 7 receptions, 155 yards, TD | |
Incarnate Word | Passing | Cam Ward | 32/53, 305 yards, 2 TD |
Rushing | Kevin Brown | 9 carries, 64 yards | |
Receiving | Robert Ferrel | 9 receptions, 98 yards |
No. 10 Monmouth (FCS First Round)
[edit]Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 10 Hawks | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 15 |
No. 4 Bearkats | 7 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 21 |
at Bowers Stadium, Huntsville, Texas
Game information |
---|
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
|
Statistics | MONM | SHSU |
---|---|---|
First downs | 27 | 9 |
Total yards | 412 | 267 |
Rushing yards | 115 | 134 |
Passing yards | 297 | 133 |
Turnovers | 2 | 0 |
Time of possession | 39:41 | 20:19 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
Monmouth | Passing | Tony Muskett | 29/46, 297 yards, TD, 2 INT |
Rushing | Juwon Farri | 25 carries, 98 yards, TD | |
Receiving | Terrance Greene Jr. | 9 receptions, 94 yards, TD | |
Sam Houston State | Passing | Eric Schmid | 12/24, 133 yards, TD |
Rushing | Ramon Jefferson | 9 carries, 95 yards, 2 TD | |
Receiving | Cody Chrest | 8 receptions, 67 yards, TD |
No. 6 North Dakota State (FCS Quarterfinals)
[edit]Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 6 Bison | 0 | 2 | 15 | 3 | 20 |
No. 4 Bearkats | 10 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 24 |
at Bowers Stadium, Huntsville, Texas
Game information |
---|
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
|
Statistics | NDSU | SHSU |
---|---|---|
First downs | 13 | 16 |
Total yards | 229 | 317 |
Rushing yards | 139 | 90 |
Passing yards | 90 | 227 |
Turnovers | 3 | 0 |
Time of possession | 30:03 | 29:57 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
North Dakota State | Passing | Cam Miller | 7/18, 90 yards, 2 INT |
Rushing | Hunter Luepke | 12 carries, 57 yards | |
Receiving | Christian Watson | 1 reception, 35 yards | |
Sam Houston State | Passing | Eric Schmid | 25/37, 227 yards, TD |
Rushing | Eric Schmid | 10 carries, 36 yards, TD | |
Receiving | Noah Smith | 10 receptions, 103 yards, TD |
No. 1 James Madison (FCS Semifinals)
[edit]Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 1 Dukes | 0 | 24 | 3 | 8 | 35 |
No. 4 Bearkats | 3 | 0 | 28 | 7 | 38 |
at Bowers Stadium, Huntsville, Texas
Game information |
---|
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
|
Statistics | JMU | SHSU |
---|---|---|
First downs | 23 | 18 |
Total yards | 430 | 336 |
Rushing yards | 159 | 118 |
Passing yards | 271 | 218 |
Turnovers | 2 | 2 |
Time of possession | 35:54 | 24:06 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
James Madison | Passing | Cole Johnson | 16/26, 271 yards, 3 TD, INT |
Rushing | Percy Agyei-Obese | 24 carries, 98 yards | |
Receiving | Antwane Wells Jr. | 7 receptions, 89 yards, TD | |
Sam Houston State | Passing | Eric Schmid | 13/27, 218 yards, TD, 2 INT |
Rushing | Ramon Jefferson | 15 carries, 60 yards, TD | |
Receiving | Jequez Ezzard | 4 receptions, 107 yards, TD |
Vs. No. 2 South Dakota State (FCS National Championship)
[edit]Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 4 Bearkats | 0 | 14 | 3 | 6 | 23 |
No. 2 Jackrabbits | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 21 |
at Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas
- Date: May 16, 2021
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
- Game weather: Light rain, 68 °F (20 °C)
- Game attendance: 7,840
- Referee: Steve Cadorette
- TV announcers (ABC): Dave Pasch, Andre Ware, and Kris Budden
- Box score, Recap
Game information |
---|
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
|
Statistics | SHSU | SDST |
---|---|---|
First downs | 19 | 17 |
Total yards | 353 | 362 |
Rushing yards | 144 | 239 |
Passing yards | 209 | 123 |
Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
Time of possession | 31:09 | 28:51 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
Sam Houston State | Passing | Eric Schmid | 20/37, 209 yards, 3 TD |
Rushing | Ramon Jefferson | 16 carries, 96 yards | |
Receiving | Jequez Ezzard | 10 receptions, 108 yards, 2 TD | |
South Dakota State | Passing | Keaton Heide | 11/22, 107 yards, INT |
Rushing | Isaiah Davis | 14 carries, 178 yards, 3 TD | |
Receiving | Zach Heins | 3 receptions, 44 yards |
References
[edit]- ^ "Southland Conference postpones fall sports, no football for NSU". ArkLaTexHomepage. August 13, 2020. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
- ^ "Nicholls Favored to Win Southland Football Spring Season". www.southland.org. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
- ^ "Southland Announces 2020 Preseason All-Conference Football Teams". www.southland.org. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
- ^ Visser, David (July 21, 2020). "SWAC Suspends Fall Football Season". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
- ^ "Tarleton State Postpones Football Season Until Spring". NBC DFW. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- ^ "2020-21 Sam Houston State Bearkats Football Schedule". Retrieved August 7, 2021.
- ^ "Sam Houston State Bearkats". ESPN. Retrieved August 7, 2021.