American college football season
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 .
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.
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
Donovan Williams – Running back, JR
Colby Thomas – Offensive lineman, SR
Matt McRobert – Punter, RS-SR
2nd Team
Eleasah Anderson – Offensive lineman, RS-JR
Defense
1st Team
Trace Mascorro – Defensive lineman, SR
Joseph Wallace – Defensive lineman, SR
2nd Team
Jevon Leon – Defensive lineman, SO
Zyon McCollum – Defensive back, SR
Jaylen Thomas – Defensive back, SR
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 43–382,612
March 13, 2021 12:00 p.m. No. 7 Nicholls No. 12 Bowers Stadium Huntsville, TX ESPN+ W 71–172,103
March 20, 2021 6:00 p.m. at Lamar No. 7 ESPN+ W 62–72,845
6:00 p.m. at Northwestern State No. 5 ESPN+ W 24–161,221
April 10, 2021 4:00 p.m. McNeese State No. 5 Bowers Stadium Huntsville, TX ESPN+ W 27–133,103
April 17, 2021 11:00 a.m. at No. 25 Incarnate Word No. 5 ESPN+ W 42–14743
April 24, 2021 11:00 a.m. No. 10 Monmouth * No. 4 ESPN3 W 21–152,078
2:00 p.m. No. 6 North Dakota State * No. 4 ESPN W 24–204,984
May 8, 2021 1:30 p.m. No. 1 James Madison * No. 4 ABC W 38–355,038
1:00 p.m. vs. No. 2 South Dakota State * No. 4 ABC W 23–217,840
[ 6] [ 7]
No. 18 Southeastern Louisiana [ edit ]
Pregame line
Over/under
SHSU −4.5
54
No. 18 Southeastern Louisiana Lions at No. 17 Sam Houston State Bearkats – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
No. 18 Lions
7
10
14 7 38
No. 17 Bearkats
10
10
14 9 43
at Bowers Stadium , Huntsville, Texas
Date : February 27, 2021Game time : 6:00 p.m. CST Game weather : 75 °F (24 °C) • Weather : Overcast and muggy • Wind : 9 S MPH Game attendance : 2,612Referee : Vidal JonesTV : ESPN+ Box score , Recap
Game information
First quarter
SHSU – Ramon Jefferson 59-yard run (Seth Morgan kick), 9:47. Bearkats 7–0. Drive: 9 plays, 89 yards, 3:51.
SELA – Austin Mitchell 1-yard pass from Cole Kelly (Mateo Rengifo kick), 6:08. Tied 7–7. Drive: 8 plays, 74 yards, 3:32.
SHSU – Seth Morgan 39-yard field goal, 3:01. Bearkats 10–7. Drive: 9 plays, 54 yards, 3:07.
Second quarter
SELA – Taron Jones 4-yard run (Mateo Rengifo kick), 14:33. Lions 14–10. Drive: 10 plays, 72 yards, 3:24.
SHSU – Noah Smith 4-yard run (Seth Morgan kick), 12:21. Bearkats 17–14. Drive: 5 plays, 80 yards, 2:07.
SELA – Mateo Rengifo 36-yard field goal, 6:16. Tied 17–17. Drive: 16 plays, 56 yards, 6:05.
SHSU – Seth Morgan 21-yard field goal, 0:00. Bearkats 20–17. Drive: 8 plays, 64 yards, 1:26.
Third quarter
SHSU – Ife Adeyi 6-yard run (Seth Morgan kick), 12:43. Bearkats 27–17. Drive: 3 plays, 12 yards, 0:37.
SELA – Tim Wilson Jr. 4-yard pass from Cole Kelley (Mateo Rengifo kick), 5:01. Bearkats 27–24. Drive: 8 plays, 93 yards, 2:58.
SHSU – Ife Adeyi 78-yard pass from Eric Schmid (Seth Morgan kick), 4:15. Bearkats 34–24. Drive: 2 plays, 81 yards, 0:41.
SELA – C. J. Turner 11-yard pass from Cole Kelley (Mateo Rengifo kick), 0:34. Bearkats 34–31. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:41.
Fourth quarter
SHSU – Jequez Ezzard 30-yard pass from Eric Schmid (kick failed), 14:05. Bearkats 40–31. Drive: 4 plays, 81 yards, 1:23.
SELA – C. J. Turner 10-yard pass from Cole Kelley (Mateo Rengifo kick), 8:21. Bearkats 40–38. Drive: 6 plays, 59 yards, 2:35.
SHSU – Seth Morgan 24-yard field goal, 5:07. Bearkats 43–38. Drive: 8 plays, 68 yards, 3:14.
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
Pregame line
Over/under
NICH −49.0
60
No. 7 Nicholls Colonels at No. 12 Sam Houston State Bearkats – Game summary
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
Date : March 13, 2021Game time : 12:00 p.m. CSTGame weather : Overcast and humid • Temperature : 75 °F (24 °C) • Wind : S 10 mph (16 km/h)Game attendance : 2,103Referee : Christopher WatsonTV : ESPN+Box score , Recap
Game information
First quarter
NICH – Dai'Jean Dixon 14-yard pass from Lindsey Scott Jr. (Gavin Lasseigne kick), 11:36. Colonels 7–0. Drive: 2 plays, 21 yards, 0:40.
SHSU – Jequez Ezzard 14-yard pass from Eric Schmid (Seth Morgan kick), 1:26. Tied 7–7. Drive: 7 plays, 70 yards, 3:01.
Second quarter
SHSU – Seth Morgan 24-yard field goal, 12:32. Bearkats 10–7. Drive: 5 plays, 74 yards, 2:28.
SHSU – Noah Smith 29-yard pass from Eric Schmid (Seth Morgan kick), 8:53. Bearkats 17–7. Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 2:14.
SHSU – Jahari Kay 24-yard interception return (Seth Morgan kick), 8:44. Bearkats 24–7.
SHSU – Jequez Ezzard 55-yard pass from Eric Schmid (pass failed), 2:34. Bearkats 30–7. Drive: 5 plays, 80 yards, 2:02.
NICH – Gavin Lasseigne 29-yard field goal, 0:00. Bearkats 30–10. Drive: 7 plays, 55 yards, 0:36.
Third quarter
SHSU – Dewaylon Ingram 5-yard pass from Eric Schmid (kick failed), 11:37. Bearkats 36–10. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 3:26.
SHSU – Noah Smith 6-yard pass from Eric Schmid (Seth Morgan kick), 10:50. Bearkats 43–10. Drive: 4 plays, 18 yards, 0:44.
SHSU – Trevor Williams 79-yard fumble return (Seth Morgan kick), 7:00. Bearkats 50–10.
NICH – Dai'Jean Mixon 5-yard run (Gavin Lasseigne kick), 0:03. Bearkats 50–17. Drive: 6 plays, 32 yards, 2:13.
Fourth quarter
SHSU – Dee Bowens 10-yard pass from Eric Schmid (Seth Morgan kick), 11:23. Bearkats 57–17. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:40.
SHSU – Kyran Jackson 2-yard run (Seth Morgan kick), 8:22. Bearkats 64–17. Drive: 6 plays, 24 yards, 2:51.
SHSU – Mike Dare 4-yard run (Seth Morgan kick), 0:48. Bearkats 71–17. Drive: 7 plays, 67 yards, 4:12.
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
Pregame line
Over/under
SHSU −29.0
61
No. 7 Sam Houston State Bearkats at Lamar Cardinals – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
No. 7 Bearkats
7
31
17 7 62
Cardinals
0
0
0 7 7
at Provost Umphrey Stadium , Beaumont, Texas
Date : March 20, 2021Game time : 6:00 p.m. CSTGame weather : Partly cloudy and cool • Temperature : 65 °F (18 °C) • Wind : NE 8 mph (13 km/h)Game attendance : 2,845Referee : Scott HardinTV : ESPN+Box score , Recap
Game information
First quarter
SHSU – Eric Schmid 16-yard run (Seth Morgan kick), 10:34. Bearkats 7–0. Drive: 5 plays, 70 yards, 1:27.
Second quarter
SHSU – Jequez Ezzard 35-yard pass from Eric Schmid (Seth Morgan kick), 14:52. Bearkats 14–0. Drive: 3 plays, 25 yards, 1:03.
SHSU – Jequez Ezzard 80-yard punt return (Seth Morgan kick), 13:43. Bearkats 21–0.
SHSU – Eric Schmid 9-yard run (Seth Morgan kick), 10:20. Bearkats 28–0. Drive: 3 plays, 58 yards, 0:58.
SHSU – Jequez Ezzard 41-yard pass from Eric Schmid (Seth Morgan kick), 4:10. Bearkats 35–0. Drive: 4 plays, 81 yards, 1:15.
SHSU – Seth Morgan 36-yard field goal, 0:00. Bearkats 38–0. Drive: 7 plays, 56 yards, 1:14.
Third quarter
SHSU – Eric Schmid 10-yard run (Seth Morgan kick), 12:16. Bearkats 45–0. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 2:44.
SHSU – Eric Schmid 5-yard run (Seth Morgan kick), 6:06. Bearkats 52–0. Drive: 8 plays, 69 yards, 3:27.
SHSU – Seth Morgan 44-yard field goal, 1:12. Bearkats 55–0. Drive: 7 plays, 12 yards, 2:52.
Fourth quarter
LAM – Jaylon Jackson 42-yard pass from Austin Scott (Bailey Giffen kick), 13:33. Bearkats 55–7. Drive: 5 plays, 79 yards, 2:34.
SHSU – Donovan Williams 29-yard run (Seth Morgan kick), 4:59. Bearkats 62–7. Drive: 6 plays, 82 yards, 3:00.
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
No. 5 Sam Houston State Bearkats at Northwestern State Demons – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
No. 5 Bearkats
7
7
7 3 24
Demons
0
3
0 13 16
at Harry Turpin Stadium , Natchitoches, Louisiana
Date : Game time : 6:00 p.m. CSTGame weather : Sunny and clear • Temperature : 65 °F (18 °C) • Wind : SW 11 mph (18 km/h)Game attendance : 1,221Referee : Ed BourgeoisTV : ESPN+Box score , Recap
Game information
First quarter
SHSU – Cody Chrest 28-yard pass from Eric Schmid (Seth Morgan kick), 11:43. Bearkats 7–0. Drive: 6 plays, 51 yards, 1:40.
Second quarter
SHSU – Ife Adeyi 19-yard pass from Eric Schmid (Seth Morgan kick), 2:19. Bearkats 14–0. Drive: 8 plays, 76 yards, 3:14.
NWST – Eddie Godina 35-yard field goal, 0:00. Bearkats 14–3. Drive: 12 plays, 62 yards, 2:12.
Third quarter
SHSU – Donovan Williams 6-yard run (Seth Morgan kick), 5:55. Bearkats 21–3. Drive: 7 plays, 70 yards, 2:12.
Fourth quarter
NWST – Marquise Bridges 20-yard pass from Bryce Rivers (kick blocked), 13:44. Bearkats 21–9. Drive: 1 play, 20 yards, 0:06.
SHSU – Seth Morgan 41-yard field goal, 10:13. Bearkats 24–9. Drive: 8 plays, 50 yards, 3:30.
NWST – Javon Antonio 7-yard pass from Bryce Rivers (Eddie Godina kick), 0:21. Bearkats 24–16. Drive: 12 plays, 85 yards, 2:12.
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
Pregame line
Over/under
SHSU −15.0
59
McNeese State Cowboys at No. 5 Sam Houston State Bearkats – Game summary
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
Date : April 10, 2021Game time : 4:00 p.m. CSTGame weather : Clear and sunny • Temperature : 78 °F (26 °C) • Wind : N 9 mph (14 km/h)Game attendance : 3,103Referee : Dan LewisTV : ESPN+Box score , Recap
Game information
First quarter
MCN – Jacob Abel 19-yard field goal, 7:09. Cowboys 3–0. Drive: 12 plays, 79 yards, 5:31.
SHSU – Noah Smith 19-yard pass from Eric Schmid (Seth Morgan kick), 2:53. Bearkats 7–3. Drive: 8 plays, 64 yards, 4:11.
Second quarter
SHSU – Ramon Jefferson 1-yard run (Seth Morgan kick), 3:27. Bearkats 14–3. Drive: 7 plays, 47 yards, 3:28.
SHSU – Seth Morgan 21-yard field goal, 0:00. Bearkats 17–3. Drive: 11 plays, 34 yards, 2:17.
Third quarter
SHSU – Seth Morgan 33-yard field goal, 12:17. Bearkats 20–3. Drive: 6 plays, 49 yards, 2:37.
SHSU – Donovan Williams 2-yard run (Seth Morgan kick), 7:43. Bearkats 27–3. Drive: 7 plays, 85 yards, 3:06.
MCN – Jacob Abel 25-yard field goal, 4:58. Bearkats 27–6. Drive: 10 plays, 68 yards, 2:45.
Fourth quarter
MCN – Joshua Matthews 24-yard pass from Cody Orgeron (Jacob Abel kick), 11:18. Bearkats 27–13. Drive: 4 plays, 45 yards, 1:23.
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 ]
No. 5 Sam Houston State Bearkats at No. 25 Incarnate Word Cardinals – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
No. 5 Bearkats
0
14
14 14 42
No. 25 Cardinals
0
7
7 0 14
at Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium , San Antonio, Texas
Date : April 17, 2021Game time : 11:00 a.m. CSTGame weather : Partly cloudy • Temperature : 65 °F (18 °C) • Wind : SSW 19 mph (31 km/h)Game attendance : 743Referee : Dan LewisTV : ESPN+Box score , Recap
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
SHSU – Jequez Ezzard 21-yard run (Seth Morgan kick), 14:52. Bearkats 7–0. Drive: 12 plays, 90 yards, 5:21.
SHSU – Ife Adeyi 4-yard run (Seth Morgan kick), 7:04. Bearkats 14–0. Drive: 10 plays, 91 yards, 4:11.
UIW – Tre Wolf 1-yard pass from Cameron Ward (Carson Mohr kick), 0:22. Bearkats 14–7. Drive: 10 plays, 77 yards, 2:39.
Third quarter
SHSU – Eric Schmid 11-yard run (Seth Morgan kick), 11:02. Bearkats 21–7. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:58.
UIW – Jayden Jones 8-yard pass from Cameron Ward (Carson Mohr kick), 7:34. Bearkats 21–14. Drive: 9 plays, 63 yards, 3:17.
SHSU – Donovan Williams 4-yard run (Seth Morgan kick), 6:08. Bearkats 28–14. Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 1:26.
Fourth quarter
SHSU – Ramon Jefferson 6-yard run (Seth Morgan kick), 8:32. Bearkats 35–14. Drive: 13 plays, 84 yards, 6:30.
SHSU – Jequez Ezzard 36-yard pass from Eric Schmid (Seth Morgan kick), 3:24. Bearkats 42–14. Drive: 5 plays, 71 yards, 2:38.
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 ]
No. 10 Monmouth Hawks at No. 4 Sam Houston State Bearkats (FCS First Round) – Game summary
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
Date : April 24, 2021Game time : 11:00 a.m. CSTGame weather : Sunny, 73 °F (23 °C)Game attendance : 2,078Referee : Andrew SpecialeTV : ESPN3 Box score , Recap
Game information
First quarter
SHSU – Cody Chrest 13-yard pass from Eric Schmid (Seth Morgan kick), 4:22. Bearkats 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 47 yards, 3:52.
Second quarter
SHSU – Ramon Jefferson 56-yard run (Seth Morgan kick), 2:52. Bearkats 14–0. Drive: 3 plays, 65 yards, 1:10.
Third quarter
SHSU – Ramon Jefferson 3-yard run (Seth Morgan kick), 9:49. Bearkats 21–0. Drive: 5 plays, 85 yards, 2:35.
Fourth quarter
MONM – Juwon Farri 1-yard run (Tony Muskett pass to Gene Scott), 13:09. Bearkats 21–8. Drive: 17 plays, 90 yards, 8:12.
MONM – Terrance Green Jr. 30-yard pass from Tony Muskett (Kaeon Thomas kick), 5:58. Bearkats 21–15. Drive: 15 plays, 86 yards, 5:32.
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 ]
No. 6 North Dakota State Bisons at No. 4 Sam Houston State Bearkats (FCS Quarterfinals) – Game summary
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
Date : Game time : 2:00 p.m. CSTGame weather : Partly cloudy, 82 °F (28 °C)Game attendance : 4,984Referee : Jeff KnightTV : ESPN Box score , Recap
Game information
First quarter
SHSU – Seth Morgan 24-yard field goal, 7:55. Bearkats 3–0. Drive: 12 plays, 47 yards, 4:17.
SHSU – Ramon Jefferson 1-yard run (Seth Morgan kick), 2:27. Bearkats 10–0. Drive: 7 plays, 38 yards, 2:10.
Second quarter
NDSU – Matt McRobert punt blocked by Logan McCormick, 5:13. Bearkats 10–2.
Third quarter
SHSU – Noah Smith 23-yard pass from Eric Schmid (Seth Morgan kick), 8:39. Bearkats 17–2. Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 6:21.
NDSU – Christian Watson 94-yard kickoff return (Jake Reinholz kick), 8:27. Bearkats 17–9.
NDSU – Braylon Henderson 76-yard punt return (Cam Miller pass to Christian Watson), 6:43. Tied 17–17.
Fourth quarter
NDSU – Jake Reinholz 33-yard field goal, 8:17. Bison 20–17. Drive: 20 plays, 60 yards, 9:44.
SHSU – Eric Schmid 6-yard run (Seth Morgan kick), 3:39. Bearkats 24–20. Drive: 9 plays, 72 yards, 4:38.
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 ]
No. 1 James Madison Dukes at No. 4 Sam Houston State Bearkats (FCS Semifinals) – Game summary
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
Date : May 8, 2021Game time : 1:30 p.m. CSTGame weather : Sunny and clear, 85 °F (29 °C)Game attendance : 5,038Referee : Drew MyersTV : ABC Box score , Recap
Game information
First quarter
SHSU – Seth Morgan 29-yard field goal, 9:14. Bearkats 3–0. Drive: 7 plays, 26 yards, 2:13.
Second quarter
JMU – Ethan Ratke 26-yard field goal, 10:26. Tied 3–3. Drive: 10 plays, 55 yards, 4:57.
JMU – Cole Johnson 1-yard run (Ethan Ratke kick), 6:09. Dukes 10–3. Drive: 7 plays, 71 yards, 3:00.
JMU – Antwane Wells Jr. 4-yard pass from Cole Johnson (Ethan Ratke kick), 1:26. Dukes 17–3. Drive: 6 plays, 89 yards, 1:47.
JMU – Clayton Cheatham 7-yard pass from Cole Johnson (Ethan Ratke kick), 0:10. Dukes 24–3. Drive: 4 plays, 51 yards, 0:58.
Third quarter
SHSU – Ramon Jefferson 7-yard run (Seth Morgan kick), 8:14. Dukes 24–10. Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 2:42.
JMU – Ethan Ratke 48-yard field goal, 3:00. Dukes 27–10. Drive: 10 plays, 29 yards, 5:14.
SHSU – Jequez Ezzard 69-yard pass from Eric Schmid (Seth Morgan kick), 2:22. Dukes 27–17. Drive: 2 plays, 75 yards, 0:38.
SHSU – Jequez Ezzard 80-yard punt return (Seth Morgan kick), 0:42. Dukes 27–24.
SHSU – Eric Schmid 20-yard run (Seth Morgan kick), 0:00. Bearkats 31–27. Drive: 3 plays, 32 yards, 0:42.
Fourth quarter
SHSU – Eric Schmid 11-yard run (Seth Morgan kick), 12:16. Bearkats 38–27. Drive: 5 plays, 30 yards, 2:39.
JMU – Scott Bracey 34-yard pass from Cole Johnson (Cole Johnson run), 10:14. Bearkats 38–35. Drive: 6 plays, 72 yards, 2:02.
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 ]
No. 4 Sam Houston State Bearkats vs. No. 2 South Dakota State Jackrabbits (FCS National Championship) – Game summary
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
Game information
First quarter
SDSU – Isaiah Davis 1-yard run (Cole Frahm kick), 7:33. Jackrabbits 7–0. Drive: 5 plays, 41 yards, 2:16.
Second quarter
SHSU – Jequez Ezzard 35-yard pass from Eric Schmid (Seth Morgan kick), 11:16. Tied 7–7. Drive: 3 plays, 56 yards, 1:16.
SHSU – Jequel Ezzard 15-yard pass from Eric Schmid (Seth Morgan kick), 1:21. Bearkats 14–7. Drive: 9 plays, 74 yards, 3:32.
Third quarter
SHSU – Seth Morgan 45-yard field goal, 0:37. Bearkats 17–7. Drive: 10 plays, 39 yards, 4:20.
Fourth quarter
SDSU – Isaiah Davis 28-yard run (Cole Frahm kick), 13:12. Bearkats 17–14. Drive: 5 plays, 72 yards, 2:25.
SDSU – Isaiah Davis 85-yard run (Cole Frahm kick), 5:41. Jackrabbits 21–17. Drive: 2 plays, 85 yards, 0:19.
SHSU – Ife Adeyi 10-yard pass from Eric Schmid (kick failed), 0:16. Bearkats 23–21. Drive: 16 plays, 65 yards, 5:25.
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
^ "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 .
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College Division Division II Division I Division I-A Division I-AA/FCS National championships in bold