Bearkats Aim for Second Conference Win Following Historic Comeback Victory
The Sam Houston Bearkats (4-1, 1-0 CUSA) will travel to El Paso this Thursday to face off against the winless UTEP Miners (0-4, 0-1 CUSA) in a midweek Conference USA clash at the Sun Bowl. The Bearkats are riding high after an incredible comeback win over Texas State, erasing a 22-point deficit to secure a 40-39 victory, the largest comeback in school history. Sam Houston has won 7 of its last 9 games dating back to the end of last season.
The game, which will be aired on CBS Sports Network at 8:00 p.m. CT, provides Sam Houston a chance to maintain momentum in its first season in Conference USA play. The Bearkats’ thrilling win over Texas State not only marked a significant comeback but also showcased the team’s grit, something head coach KC Keeler attributes to their culture.
“Great culture win,” said Keeler. “Down 22 points to a rival, great atmosphere, great crowd, and our kids just kept on battling. It’s a great testament to the culture we have and to our players and coaches. Getting that win was really important.”
Sam Houston, who currently averages 34.0 points per game in their four wins, has demonstrated a powerful rushing attack, outrushing their opponents significantly, 253.3 yards per game to their opponent’s 68.0. Quarterback Hunter Watson and kicker Christian Pavon received accolades for their performances, being named CUSA Offensive and Special Teams Players of the Week, respectively, after their efforts against Texas State. Watson rushed for over 100 yards for the second consecutive game, marking the first time in program history a quarterback has achieved back-to-back 100-yard rushing performances. Pavon nailed a critical game-winning field goal, sealing the victory.
“We were able to run the football, keeping our defense off the field a little bit,” Keeler noted about the win against Texas State. “We controlled the game, especially with that last drive that took nearly seven minutes off the clock.”
Keeler on Facing Young Coaches
This week, the Bearkats face UTEP, coached by one of the youngest head coaches in FBS, Scotty Walden. Keeler acknowledged the energy and enthusiasm that younger coaches bring to the game but emphasized the value of experience. “They bring great energy and enthusiasm,” Keeler said. “I hope what I bring is a steady hand… all about our culture, not panicking when things don’t go your way.”
Keeler also acknowledged the challenge of playing UTEP, despite their 0-4 record. “When you watch their tape, you realize how good they are. They’ve played a lot of teams tough,” Keeler commented. “It’s a mentality that they bring, and we need to play well early and not give them a reason to believe that this is their night.”
Game Preview and Strategy
Sam Houston will continue to rely on its potent rushing attack, led by Watson and running back Jay Ducker, who rushed for 69 yards and three touchdowns against Texas State, putting him over 2,000 collegiate rushing yards. Coach Keeler highlighted the importance of the run game and Hunter Watson’s dual-threat ability. “Hunter’s ability to run adds so much to what the options are on the outside,” said Keeler. The Bearkats have demonstrated versatility in their offensive game plan, with five different players rushing for at least 31 yards in their last game.
The Bearkats defense has also shown strength, with 11 consecutive games recording at least one takeaway and holding opponents to under 100 rushing yards in each of their four victories this season.
Rematch After Last Season’s Close Defeat
This meeting is a rematch of last season’s nail-biter in Huntsville, where UTEP edged out Sam Houston 37-34. Despite leading entering the fourth quarter, the Bearkats were outscored 17-7 in the final frame, leading to a narrow defeat. The Bearkats will be looking to redeem that loss and earn their first win over the Miners in the fourth all-time meeting between the teams.
Adjustments and Preparation
With a short turnaround this week, the Bearkats have adjusted their preparation schedule, focusing on managing player fatigue and optimizing performance. “We’re very conscious of the wear and tear,” Keeler stated. “Practices are shorter, and we’re doing more walkthroughs to preserve our guys’ bodies.”
This game will be crucial for Sam Houston as they look to continue their success in Conference USA and build on their 7-2 record in their last nine games, despite starting their FBS venture with an 0-8 record last season. “It’s going to be a tight game plan,” Keeler admitted. “You won’t see 20 plays on the call sheet that we didn’t run.”
Series History and Game Information
This will be the fourth all-time meeting between the Bearkats and the Miners, with UTEP leading the series 3-0. Sam Houston’s last visit to the Sun Bowl was in 2003, a game in which the Miners dominated with a 59-14 win. The Bearkats look to reverse that history with a win that would mark their first against UTEP and keep them undefeated in CUSA play.
The Bearkats will don throwback decals on their helmets for the second consecutive week, featuring the classic white arching script and stripe reminiscent of their uniforms from 1989-93.
Sam Houston Bearkats will kick off against UTEP at 8:00 p.m. CT, with coverage available on CBS Sports Network, the Bearkat Sports Network, and Sirius XM 971.
