HOUSTON – Christian Pavon narrowly made a 24-yard field goal with six seconds remaining for Sam Houston’s first lead of the game and the Bearkats held on for a thrilling 40-39 win over Texas State on Saturday at NRG Stadium, home of the NFL’s Houston Texans.

It was an incredible comeback victory for Sam Houston, who fell behind 22-0 in the first quarter, 32-21 at halftime, and 39-21 with 11:57 remaining in the third quarter.

However, the Bearkats’ defense stepped up when it mattered most. Two crucial fourth-down stops led to touchdown drives, bringing Sam Houston within 39-34. With time winding down, Pavon kicked a 46-yard field goal to set up the dramatic finish.

Quarterback Hunter Watson was the hero for Sam Houston, passing for 95 yards and rushing for 105 yards and two touchdowns. The team’s rushing attack was also dominant, with six rushers combining for 298 yards and five touchdowns.

On the other side, Texas State’s Jordan McCloud threw for 326 yards and three touchdowns, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Sam Houston’s resilient performance.

This thrilling victory marked Sam Houston’s third straight game rushing for over 200 yards, showcasing their strength on the ground. The win also marked the 93rd all-time meeting between the two schools, with Texas State making the jump to the FBS in 2012.

Sam Houston’s determination and resilience on full display in this game, highlighting their potential as a force to be reckoned with in college football.

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