The Bearkats ran out of lives in a 42-19 loss to Montana State in the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs. The loss snapped a 22-game winning streak for Sam Houston that dated back to the end of the 2019 campaign, including a 21-0 record in 2021 prior to the loss on Saturday night. Sam Houston won the 2020 FCS championship in the spring after the season was postponed in the fall due to Covid-19. 

Sam Houston built a reputation as the ‘Kardiac Kats’ during that time, winning late and in style during the 21-game winning streak in 2021. The Bearkats overcame deficits numerous times during that run, but a 28-0 lead to Montana State proved too difficult for K.C. Keeler’s program. Sam Houston scored 12 consecutive points and pinned Montana State on its own one-yard line to start the third quarter, but the Bobcats responded with a 99-yard touchdown drive to extend the lead to 35-12 and erase any momentum built by the Bearkats.

THREE OBSERVATIONS 

Twenty-two games wore Sam Houston down: Only one other team (North Dakota State in 2019) had won 21 games in a calendar year since the 1800’s. Playing that many football games takes its toll, mentally and physically. Expecting college athletes to be dialed-in for that many contests in one calendar year without losing is a tough ask. Sam Houston overcame odds throughout the year, including a comeback win over SFA with a backup quarterback and a goal-line stand against Incarnate Word during the fall season. Against Montana State, Sam Houston finally dug a hole too big. 

Sam Houston’s stock is rising: The Kats went 21-1 in 2021 and learned that FBS football is around the corner. The future is bright for Keeler’s program. Sam Houston was 17-0 at Bower’s Stadium in FCS playoff games entering the Montana State game. A real homefield advantage is experienced in Huntsville. And the roster is already loaded with talent, which should only improve with the promise of FBS football. Sam Houston has a chance to do with East Texas what UTSA is currently doing with San Antonio and south Texas. There is great football played in the Piney Woods and the Bearkats should keep more of that top-end talent at home in the coming years. 

Don’t count out the Kats in 2022: Quarterback Eric Schmid is only a junior. So is running back Ramon Jefferson, who entered the game with over 1,000 yards rushing and a team-high 11 touchdowns. Ife Adeyi, the team’s leader in receptions and the big-play threat offensively, is only a sophomore. Linebacker Trevor Williams, the team leader in tackles, is a junior. You get the point. Sam Houston will return one of the best rosters in FCS football for the 2022 season, and that group has something to prove after suffering its first loss in more than two years.