Sam Houston State Bearkats Dominate at J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome Against Northern Arizona Lumberjacks
In a display of offensive might and defensive solidity, the Sam Houston State Bearkats secured a commanding victory over the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks with a final score of 42-16. The Bearkats' season record now stands impressively at 11-1, while the Lumberjacks fall to 5-6.
The game unfolded under the dome of J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome in Flagstaff, where an attendance of 8,564 fans witnessed the Bearkats' prowess on both sides of the ball. The Bearkats utilized their timeouts effectively, using two and keeping one in reserve along with one remaining challenge.
The offense was relentless as they amassed an impressive total yardage of 560 with an average gain per play rounding up to eight yards. The rushing attack was particularly potent; they accumulated 285 yards on the ground across 37 attempts, averaging nearly eight yards per carry and scoring two touchdowns. Their longest rush was a breakaway for 45 yards that set up another scoring opportunity.
Through the air, Sam Houston State's quarterback maintained a completion percentage rounding up to 57 percent for a total passing yardage of 275 with three touchdowns thrown. One interception did little to dampen an otherwise efficient passing game that also saw ten first downs achieved through receptions.
On defense, Sam Houston State recorded two sacks totaling twelve lost yards for Northern Arizona and applied consistent pressure with ten tackles for loss amounting to forty-four negative yards against their opponents. The defense also forced turnovers effectively; intercepting two passes which were returned for ninety-one yards including one taken back seventy-five yards for a touchdown.
Special teams contributed as well; punting only twice but achieving an average net yardage rounding down to thirty-seven per punt while placing one inside the twenty-yard line. Kickoffs were strategically executed resulting in five touchbacks from seven kickoffs totaling four hundred fifty-one kickoff return yards by Northern Arizona.
Penalties were minimal but impactful; six penalties cost them sixty total penalty yards yet only resulted in one first down for Northern Arizona due to penalties against Sam Houston State.
Looking ahead, fans can mark their calendars as Elliott T. Bowers Stadium will be hosting another exciting matchup when Southeast Missouri State Redhawks visit Huntsville on September eleven at six PM local time (Central Time). Fans eager to support their team can catch all live action from this upcoming home game without any broadcast networks announced yet.