2024 Sam Houston Bearkats football team

American college football season

2024 Sam Houston Bearkats football

Conference	Conference USA
Record	3–1 (1–0 C-USA)
Head coach	K. C. Keeler (11th season)
Offensive coordinator	Brad Cornelsen (2nd season)
Offensive scheme	Spread
Defensive coordinator	Skyler Cassity (1st season)
Base defense	3–4
Home stadium	Bowers Stadium
Seasons ← 2023 2025 →

2024 Conference USA football standings
v t e
Team	W		L	W		L
Liberty	2	–	0	4	–	0
Sam Houston	1	–	0	3	–	1
Western Kentucky	1	–	0	3	–	1
Louisiana Tech	0	–	0	1	–	2
FIU	0	–	0	1	–	3
Jacksonville State	0	–	0	1	–	3
Kennesaw State*	0	–	0	0	–	3
Middle Tennessee	0	–	1	1	–	3
UTEP	0	–	1	0	–	4
New Mexico State	0	–	2	1	–	3
Championship: December 6, 2024
$ – Conference champion y – Championship game participant * – Ineligible for postseason play due to FCS-to-FBS transition rules As of September 23, 2024 Rankings from AP Poll

The 2024 Sam Houston Bearkats football team will represent Sam Houston State University in Conference USA (C-USA) during the 2024 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Bearkats are led by K. C. Keeler in his eleventh year as the head coach. The Bearkats will play home games at Bowers Stadium, located in Huntsville, Texas.^[1]

Offseason

Positions key
C	Center	CB	Cornerback	DB	Defensive back	DE	Defensive end^[a]
DL	Defensive lineman	DT	Defensive tackle	FB	Fullback	FS	Free safety
G	Guard^[b]	K	Kicker^[c]	KR	Kickoff returner	LB	Linebacker
LS	Long snapper	MLB	Middle linebacker^[d]	OT	Offensive tackle	OL	Offensive lineman
OLB	Outside linebacker^[a]	NT	Nose tackle	P	Punter	PR	Punt returner
QB	Quarterback	RS	Return specialist	RB	Running back	S	Safety
SS	Strong safety	TE	Tight end	WR	Wide receiver

^ ^a ^b May sometimes be referred to as an edge rusher (EDGE)
^ Also known as offensive guard (OG)
^ Also known as placekicker (PK)
^ Also known as inside linebacker (ILB)

Departures

Name	Position	New school	New position

Additions

Name	Position	Previous school	Previous position

Players drafted into the NFL

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
August 31	6:00 p.m.	at Rice*	Rice Stadium Houston, TX	ESPN+	W 34–14	17,298
September 7	5:30 p.m.	at UCF*	FBC Mortgage Stadium Orlando, FL	ESPN+	L 14–45	43,807
September 14	6:00 p.m.	Hawaii*	Bowers Stadium Huntsville, TX	ESPN+	W 31–14	15,134
September 21	6:00 p.m.	New Mexico State	Bowers Stadium Huntsville, TX	ESPN+	W 31–11
September 28	2:00 p.m.	vs. Texas State*	NRG Stadium Houston, TX	ESPN+
October 3	8:00 p.m.	at UTEP	Sun Bowl El Paso, TX	CBSSN
October 16	7:00 p.m.	Western Kentucky	Bowers Stadium Huntsville, TX	ESPN2
October 22	6:30 p.m.	at FIU	Pitbull Stadium Miami, FL	ESPNU
October 29	7:00 p.m.	Louisiana Tech	Bowers Stadium Huntsville, TX	ESPNU
November 16	2:00 p.m.	at Kennesaw State	Fifth Third Bank Stadium Kennesaw, GA	ESPN+
November 23	11:00 a.m.	at Jacksonville State	JSU Stadium Jacksonville, AL	CBSSN
November 29	2:30 p.m.	Liberty	Bowers Stadium Huntsville, TX	CBSSN
*Non-conference game All times are in Eastern time

^[2]

Game summaries

at Rice

Sam Houston Bearkats (0–0) vs Rice Owls (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bearkats	17	7	10	0	34
Owls	0	7	7	0	14

at Rice Stadium • Houston, Texas

Date: August 31st
Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 85 °F (29 °C) • Wind: NE at 8 miles per hour (13 km/h)
Game attendance: 17,298
Referee: Reid Jackson
TV announcers (ESPN+): Chuckie Kempf (play-by-play), Doc Holliday (analyst)

Game information
First quarter (9:42) SHSU – Qua'Vez Humphreys 67 yard pass from Hunter Watson, Christian Pavon kick (Drive: 1 play, 67 yards, 0:12; Sam Houston 7–0) (8:52) SHSU – David Fisher 30 yard interception return, Christian Pavon kick (Sam Houston 14–0) (3:37) SHSU – Christian Pavon 52 yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 42 yards, 3:43; Sam Houston 17–0) Second quarter (11:17) RICE – Kobie Campbell 22 yard pass from E.J. Warner, Tim Horn kick (Drive: 5 plays, 50 yards, 2:40; Sam Houston 17–7) (1:53) SHSU – Ife Adeyi 32 yard pass from Hunter Watson, Christian Pavon kick (Drive: 6 plays, 56 yards, 2:10; Sam Houston 24–7) Third quarter (10:17) SHSU – John Gentry 1 yard run, Christian Pavon kick (Drive: 10 plays, 76 yards, 4:39; Sam Houston 31–7) (7:31) RICE – Dean Connors 15 yard run, Tim Horn kick (Drive: 7 plays, 65 yards, 2:46; Sam Houston 31–14) (3:38) SHSU – Christian Pavon 26 yard field goal (Drive: 10 plays, 67 yards, 3:53; Sam Houston 34–14) Fourth quarter No scoring plays

Game information

First quarter

(9:42) SHSU – Qua'Vez Humphreys 67 yard pass from Hunter Watson, Christian Pavon kick (Drive: 1 play, 67 yards, 0:12; Sam Houston 7–0)
(8:52) SHSU – David Fisher 30 yard interception return, Christian Pavon kick (Sam Houston 14–0)
(3:37) SHSU – Christian Pavon 52 yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 42 yards, 3:43; Sam Houston 17–0)

Second quarter

(11:17) RICE – Kobie Campbell 22 yard pass from E.J. Warner, Tim Horn kick (Drive: 5 plays, 50 yards, 2:40; Sam Houston 17–7)
(1:53) SHSU – Ife Adeyi 32 yard pass from Hunter Watson, Christian Pavon kick (Drive: 6 plays, 56 yards, 2:10; Sam Houston 24–7)

Third quarter

(10:17) SHSU – John Gentry 1 yard run, Christian Pavon kick (Drive: 10 plays, 76 yards, 4:39; Sam Houston 31–7)
(7:31) RICE – Dean Connors 15 yard run, Tim Horn kick (Drive: 7 plays, 65 yards, 2:46; Sam Houston 31–14)
(3:38) SHSU – Christian Pavon 26 yard field goal (Drive: 10 plays, 67 yards, 3:53; Sam Houston 34–14)

Fourth quarter

No scoring plays

Statistics	Sam Houston	Rice
First downs	20	14
Plays–yards	73–407	62–274
Rushes–yards	46–178	18–47
Passing yards	229	227
Passing: comp–att–int	16–27–0	27–44–2
Time of possession	35:20	24:40

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Sam Houston	Passing	Hunter Watson	16/27, 229 yards, 2 TD
	Rushing	Hunter Watson	14 carries, 57 yards
	Receiving	Qua'Vez Humphreys	3 receptions, 93 yards, 1 TD
Rice	Passing	E.J. Warner	27/44, 227 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
	Rushing	Dean Connors	12 carries, 52 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Matt Sykes	6 receptions, 74 yards

at UCF

Game Two – Sam Houston Bearkats (1–0) vs UCF Knights (1–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bearkats	0	7	0	7	14
Knights	14	10	14	7	45

at FBC Mortgage Stadium • Orlando, FL

Date: Saturday September 7, 2024
Game time: 5:30 p.m. CDT
Game weather: 83 °F (28 °C)
Game attendance: 43,807
Referee: Henry Johns
TV announcers (ESPN+): James Westling (play-by-play) and Leger Douzable (analyst)

Game information

First quarter

UCF: RJ Harvey 19-yard touchdown (Colton Boomer Kick), 8:17
UCF: RJ Harvey 2-yard touchdown (Colton Boomer Kick), 3:07

Second quarter

UCF: Colton Boomer 50-yard field goal, 10:36
SHSU: Simeon Evans 64-yard touchdown pass from Noah Smith (Christian Pavon Kick), 8:41
UCF: RJ Harvey 22-yard touchdown (Colton Boomer Kick), 3:59

Third quarter

UCF: Myles Montgomery 7-yard touchdown (Colton Boomer Kick), 9:58
UCF: RJ Harvey 2-yard touchdown (Colton Boomer Kick), 7:14

Fourth quarter

UCF: P. Boone 3-yard touchdown (Colton Boomer Kick), 12:36
SHSU: Michael Phoenix II 22-yard touchdown pass from Jase Bauer (Christian Pavon Kick), 4:14

Win Probability/Line

UCF 91.5%, UCF -21, Over/Under 58.5

Statistics	SHSU	UCF
First downs	12	29
Total yards	287	554
Rushing yards	68	384
Passing yards	219	170
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	9-13-2	12-15
Time of possession	25:57	34:03

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Sam Houston	Passing	Hunter Watson	9/13, 82 yards, 2 INT
	Rushing	Zach Hrbacek	8 carries, 25 yards
	Receiving	Simeon Evans	3 receptions, 89 yards, 1 TD
UCF	Passing	KJ Jefferson	12/15, 169 yards
	Rushing	RJ Harvey	19 carries, 126 yards, 4 TD
	Receiving	Kobe Hudson	5 receptions, 104 yards

vs. Hawaii

Game Three – Sam Houston Bearkats (1–1) vs Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (1–1) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Rainbow Warriors	0	3	10	0	13
Bearkats	7	10	7	7	31

at Bowers Stadium, Huntsville, Texas

Date: September 14
Game time: 1:00 p.m. HDT/6:00 p.m. CDT
Game weather: Sunny, 96 °F (36 °C)
Game attendance: 15,134
Referee: Rory Bernard
TV: ESPN+
Box score, Recap

Game information
First quarter SHSU – Qua'Vez Humphreys 7-yard pass from Hunter Watson (Christian Pavon kick), 11:00. Bearkats 7–0. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:00. Second quarter HAW – Kansei Matsuzawa 33-yard field goal, 13:24. Bearkats 7–3. Drive: 7 plays, 45 yards, 1:51. SHSU – Ife Adeyi 9-yard run (Christian Pavon kick), 5:14. Bearkats 14–3. Drive: 16 plays, 75 yards, 8:10. SHSU – Christian Pavon 26-yard field goal, 1:58. Bearkats 17–3. Drive: 7 plays, 27 yards, 2:33. Third quarter HAW – Pofele Ashlock 5-yard pass from Brayden Schager (Kansei Matsuzawa kick), 10:03. Bearkats 17–10. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 4:57. SHSU – John Gentry 3-yard pass from Hunter Watson (Christian Pavon kick), 7:20. Bearkats 24–10. Drive: 5 plays, 93 yards, 2:36. HAW – Kansei Matsuzawa 27-yard field goal, 1:15. Bearkats 24–13. Drive: 12 plays, 55 yards, 6:05. Fourth quarter SHSU – Qua'Vez Humphreys 55-yard pass from Hunter Watson (Christian Pavon kick), 9:41. Bearkats 31–13. Drive: 4 plays, 68 yards, 2:02.

Game information

First quarter

SHSU – Qua'Vez Humphreys 7-yard pass from Hunter Watson (Christian Pavon kick), 11:00. Bearkats 7–0. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:00.

Second quarter

HAW – Kansei Matsuzawa 33-yard field goal, 13:24. Bearkats 7–3. Drive: 7 plays, 45 yards, 1:51.
SHSU – Ife Adeyi 9-yard run (Christian Pavon kick), 5:14. Bearkats 14–3. Drive: 16 plays, 75 yards, 8:10.
SHSU – Christian Pavon 26-yard field goal, 1:58. Bearkats 17–3. Drive: 7 plays, 27 yards, 2:33.

Third quarter

HAW – Pofele Ashlock 5-yard pass from Brayden Schager (Kansei Matsuzawa kick), 10:03. Bearkats 17–10. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 4:57.
SHSU – John Gentry 3-yard pass from Hunter Watson (Christian Pavon kick), 7:20. Bearkats 24–10. Drive: 5 plays, 93 yards, 2:36.
HAW – Kansei Matsuzawa 27-yard field goal, 1:15. Bearkats 24–13. Drive: 12 plays, 55 yards, 6:05.

Fourth quarter

SHSU – Qua'Vez Humphreys 55-yard pass from Hunter Watson (Christian Pavon kick), 9:41. Bearkats 31–13. Drive: 4 plays, 68 yards, 2:02.

Statistics	HAW	SHSU
First downs	15	22
Total yards	308	422
Rushing yards	56	257
Passing yards	252	165
Turnovers	1	2
Time of possession	25:38	34:22

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Hawaii	Passing	Brayden Schager	21/42, 252 yards, TD, INT
	Rushing	Cam Barfield	5 rushes, 24 yards
	Receiving	Pofele Ashlock	8 receptions, 84 yards, TD
Sam Houston	Passing	Hunter Watson	15/23, 165 yards, 3 TD, INT
	Rushing	Jay Ducker	15 rushes, 148 yards
	Receiving	Qua'Vez Humphreys	4 receptions, 106 yards, 2 TD

vs. New Mexico State

Game Four – New Mexico State Aggies (1–2) vs Sam Houston Bearkats (2–1) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Aggies	0	0	0	0	0
Bearkats	0	0	0	0	0

at Bowers Stadium • Huntsville, TX

Date: September 21, 2024
Game time: 6:00 p.m.
TV: ESPN+

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	NMSU	SHSU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
New Mexico State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Sam Houston	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

vs. Texas State

Game Five – Texas State Bobcats (2–1) vs. Sam Houston Bearkats (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bobcats	0	0	0	0	0
Bearkats	0	0	0	0	0

at NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

Date: September 28
Game time: 2:00 p.m. CDT
TV: ESPN+

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	TXST	SHSU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Texas State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Sam Houston	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at UTEP

Game Six – Sam Houston Bearkats (0–0) vs. UTEP Miners (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bearkats	0	0	0	0	0
Miners	0	0	0	0	0

at Sun Bowl, El Paso, Texas

Date: October 3
Game time: 8:00 p.m. CDT
TV: CBSSN

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	SHSU	UTEP
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Sam Houston	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
UTEP	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

References

^ "2023 Football Coaching Staff". Sam Houston Athletics. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
^ "2024 Sam Houston Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved February 2, 2024.

v t e Sam Houston Bearkats football
Venues	Pritchett Field (1912–1985) Bowers Stadium (1986–present)
Bowls & rivalries	Stephen F. Austin: Battle of the Piney Woods
Culture & lore	Sammy Bearkat "Bearkat Fight Song" Bearkat Marching Band
People	Head coaches NFL draftees Statistical leaders
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