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American college football season
The 2021 Sam Houston Bearkats football team represented Sam Houston State University in the 2021 NCAA Division I FCS football season as a member of the Western Athletic Conference . The Bearkats were led by eighth-year head coach K. C. Keeler and played their home games at Bowers Stadium .
The Western Athletic Conference and ASUN Conference announced the formation of the WAC–ASUN Challenge (AQ7) for the 2021 season on February 23, 2021. The Challenge included the four fully qualified Division I (FCS) members of the WAC (Abilene Christian , Lamar , Sam Houston , and Stephen F. Austin ) and Central Arkansas , Eastern Kentucky , and Jacksonville State of the ASUN Conference. The winner of the challenge received an auto-bid to the NCAA Division I FCS football playoffs.[ 1]
The Western Athletic Conference coaches released their preseason poll on July 27, 2021. The Bearkats were picked to finish first in the conference. In addition, several Bearkats were selected to the preseason WAC Offense, Defense, and Special teams. Eric Schmid was selected preseason offensive player of the year. Jahari Kay was selected defensive player of the year.[ 2]
Predicted finish
Team
Votes (1st place)
1
Sam Houston
20 (5)
2
Stephen F. Austin
16 (1)
3
Tarleton State
11
4
Lamar
8
5
Abilene Christian
5
Note: Dixie State is not included since they are not playing a full WAC schedule due to previous non-conference game contracts. Dixie State players are eligible for individual rewards.
Preseason All–WAC Team[ edit ]
Offense
Eric Schmid – Quarterback, JR
Ramon Jefferson – Running back, JR
Ramon Jefferson – Running back, JR
Jequez Ezzard – Wide receiver, GR
Isaac Schley – Tight end, GR
Eleasah Anderson – Offensive lineman, JR
Prince Pines – Offensive lineman, SO
Colby Thomas – Offensive lineman, SR
Defense
Jahari Kay – Defensive lineman, SR
Trace Mascorro – Defensive lineman, SR
Joseph Wallace – Defensive lineman, SR
Quentin Brown – Linebacker, JR
Trevor Williams – Linebacker, JR
Zyon McCollum – Defensive back, SR
Jalen Thomas – Defensive back, SR
Special teams
Seth Morgan – Kicker, FR
Matt McRobert – Punter, SR
Jequez Ezzard – Kick Returner, GR
The AQ7 coaches also released their preseason poll on July 27, 2021. The Bearkats were picked to finish first in the ASUN-WAC Challenge.[ 3]
Predicted finish
Team
Votes (1st place)
1
Sam Houston State
49 (7)
2
Central Arkansas
40
3
Jacksonville State
37
4
Stephen F. Austin
27
5
Eastern Kentucky
20
6
Abilene Christian
15
7
Lamar
8
Date Time Opponent Rank Site TV Result Attendance 8:00 p.m. at Northern Arizona * No. 1 ESPN+ W 42–168,564
September 11 6:00 p.m. Southeast Missouri State * No. 1 ESPN+ W 52–147,728
September 25 4:00 p.m. at No. 25 Central Arkansas No. 1 ESPN+ W 45–359,475
October 2 4:00 p.m. vs. Stephen F. Austin No. 1 ESPN+ W 21–2025,007
October 9 2:00 p.m. Lamar No. 1 Bowers Stadium Huntsville, TX ESPN+ W 41–79,836
October 23 2:00 p.m. Jacksonville State No. 1 Bowers Stadium Huntsville, TX (WAC/ASUN Challenge) ESPN+ W 42–77,559
October 30 6:00 p.m. at Tarleton State No. 1 ESPN+ W 45–278,245
November 6 12:00 p.m. Dixie State No. 1 Bowers Stadium Huntsville, TX ESPN+ W 59–105,004
November 13 12:00 p.m. Eastern Kentucky No. 1 Bowers Stadium Huntsville, TX (WAC/ASUN Challenge) ESPN+ W 42–286,570
November 20 1:00 p.m. at Abilene Christian No. 1 ESPN+ W 35–94,421
December 4 2:00 p.m. No. 13 Incarnate Word * No. 1 ESPN+ W 49–426,722
December 11 8:30 p.m. No. 7 Montana State * No. 1 ESPN+ L 19–427,565
[ 4] [ 5]
At Northern Arizona [ edit ]
Total
No. 1 Bearkats
7
14
14
7
42
Lumberjacks
0
7
9
0
16
Statistics
SHSU
NAU
First downs
24
20
Total yards
562
383
Rushing yards
294
91
Passing yards
268
292
Turnovers
2
2
Time of possession
28:53
31:07
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Sam Houston
Passing
Eric Schmid
21/37, 268 yards, 3 TD, INT
Rushing
Ramon Jefferson
11 rushes, 143 yards, TD
Receiving
Cody Chrest
7 receptions, 106 yards
Northern Arizona
Passing
Jeff Widener
20/34, 275 yards, TD, 2 INT
Rushing
Jeff Widener
9 rushes, 33 yards
Receiving
Stacy Chukwumezie
6 receptions, 113 yards, TD
Southeast Missouri State [ edit ]
Total
Redhawks
7
7
0
0
14
No. 1 Bearkats
7
24
14
7
52
Statistics
SEMO
SHSU
First downs
13
26
Total yards
306
561
Rushing yards
103
297
Passing yards
203
264
Turnovers
1
2
Time of possession
30:14
29:46
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Southeast Missouri State
Passing
C. J. Ogbonna
13/27, 168 yards, TD, INT
Rushing
Geno Hess
15 rushes, 42 yards, TD
Receiving
Aaron Alston
3 receptions, 63 yards, TD
Sam Houston
Passing
Eric Schmid
16/28, 243 yards, 3 TD, INT
Rushing
Ramon Jefferson
11 rushes, 153 yards, 2 TD
Receiving
Cody Chrest
6 receptions, 72 yards, TD
At No. 25 Central Arkansas [ edit ]
Total
No. 1 Bearkats
14
17
0
14
45
No. 25 Bears
7
7
14
7
35
Statistics
SHSU
CARK
First downs
23
19
Total yards
478
326
Rushing yards
195
38
Passing yards
283
288
Turnovers
1
2
Time of possession
33:08
26:52
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Sam Houston
Passing
Eric Schmid
19/37, 283 yards, 4 TD
Rushing
Ramon Jefferson
22 rushes, 104 yards, TD
Receiving
Ife Adeyi
4 receptions, 80 yards
Central Arkansas
Passing
Breylin Smith
25/41, 288 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT
Rushing
Darius Hale
10 rushes, 36 yards, TD
Receiving
Tyler Hudson
11 receptions, 181 yards, 2 TD
Vs. Stephen F. Austin [ edit ]
Total
No. 1 Bearkats
0
6
0
15
21
Lumberjacks
10
3
7
0
20
Statistics
SHSU
SFA
First downs
17
16
Total yards
289
311
Rushing yards
67
96
Passing yards
222
215
Turnovers
2
1
Time of possession
29:31
30:29
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Sam Houston
Passing
Keegan Shoemaker
16/29, 222 yards, 2 TD, INT
Rushing
Ramon Jefferson
19 rushes, 61 yards
Receiving
Jequez Ezzard
4 receptions, 74 yards, TD
Stephen F. Austin
Passing
Trae Self
17/34, 215 yards, 2 TD, INT
Rushing
Miles Reed
16 rushes, 47 yards
Receiving
Xavier Gipson
9 receptions, 100 yards, TD
Total
Cardinals
0
7
0
0
7
No. 1 Bearkats
14
6
7
14
41
Statistics
LAM
SHSU
First downs
10
24
Total yards
158
438
Rushing yards
23
267
Passing yards
135
171
Turnovers
0
1
Time of possession
31:39
28:21
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Lamar
Passing
Mike Chandler
11/18, 135 yards
Rushing
Chaz Ward
11 rushes, 23 yards
Receiving
Jeremy Davis
2 receptions, 52 yards
Sam Houston
Passing
Eric Schmid
13/31, 159 yards, 2 TD
Rushing
Noah Smith
14 rushes, 120 yards
Receiving
Cody Chrest
4 receptions, 81 yards
Total
Gamecocks
7
0
0
0
7
No. 1 Bearkats
7
14
21
0
42
Statistics
JVST
SHSU
First downs
15
25
Total yards
319
463
Rushing yards
123
228
Passing yards
196
235
Turnovers
3
1
Time of possession
28:03
31:57
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Jacksonville State
Passing
Zerrick Cooper
15/33, 169 yards, INT
Rushing
Uriah West
7 rushes, 69 yards
Receiving
Ahmad Edwards
3 receptions, 69 yards
Sam Houston
Passing
Eric Schmid
17/30, 227 yards, 2 TD, INT
Rushing
Ramon Jefferson
14 rushes, 110 yards, 2 TD
Receiving
Ife Adeyi
3 receptions, 88 yards, TD
Total
No. 1 Bearkats
14
14
17
0
45
Texans
14
0
0
13
27
Statistics
SHSU
TAR
First downs
30
22
Total yards
575
464
Rushing yards
268
61
Passing yards
307
403
Turnovers
1
0
Time of possession
33:15
26:45
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Sam Houston
Passing
Eric Schmid
26/38, 307 yards, 5 TD, INT
Rushing
Ramon Jefferson
23 rushes, 173 yards
Receiving
Cody Chrest
9 receptions, 148 yards
Tarleton State
Passing
Steven Duncan
25/43, 403 yards, 4 TD
Rushing
Derrel Kelly III
9 rushes, 19 yards
Receiving
Tariq Bitson
7 receptions, 130 yards, 2 TD
Total
Trailblazers
0
0
3
7
10
No. 1 Bearkats
28
17
7
7
59
Statistics
DXST
SHSU
First downs
18
22
Total yards
298
592
Rushing yards
58
403
Passing yards
240
189
Turnovers
3
1
Time of possession
29:52
30:08
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Dixie State
Passing
Kobe Tracy
28/48, 240 yards, TD, 2 INT
Rushing
Drew Kannely-Robles
10 rushes, 42 yards
Receiving
Michael Moten
8 receptions, 93 yards
Sam Houston
Passing
Eric Schmid
10/19, 124 yards, TD, INT
Rushing
Weston Stephens
7 rushes, 90 yards, TD
Receiving
Derrick Rose
3 receptions, 57 yards
Total
Colonels
0
0
14
14
28
No. 1 Bearkats
7
14
14
7
42
Statistics
EKU
SHSU
First downs
18
28
Total yards
368
521
Rushing yards
30
129
Passing yards
338
392
Turnovers
1
0
Time of possession
29:19
30:41
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Eastern Kentucky
Passing
Parker McKinney
28/45, 338 yards, 2 TD, INT
Rushing
Kyeaure Magloire
4 rushes, 10 yards
Receiving
Matt Wilcox Jr.
9 receptions, 103 yards
Sam Houston
Passing
Eric Schmid
27/44, 392 yards, 3 TD
Rushing
Ramon Jefferson
15 rushes, 55 yards, 2 TD
Receiving
Ife Adeyi
7 receptions, 138 yards, TD
At Abilene Christian [ edit ]
Total
No. 1 Bearkats
14
14
7
0
35
Wildcats
0
3
6
0
9
Statistics
SHSU
ACU
First downs
21
17
Total yards
424
265
Rushing yards
174
91
Passing yards
250
174
Turnovers
0
1
Time of possession
30:01
29:59
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Sam Houston
Passing
Eric Schmid
18/32, 244 yards, 3 TD
Rushing
Ramon Jefferson
14 rushes, 86 yards, TD
Receiving
Jequez Ezzard
5 receptions, 106 yards
Abilene Christian
Passing
Peyton Mansell
20/35, 130 yards, INT
Rushing
Davion Johnson
3 rushes, 36 yards
Receiving
Anthony Smith
6 receptions, 49 yards
No. 13 Incarnate Word (NCAA Divisional I Second Round)[ edit ]
Total
No. 13 Cardinals
7
14
7
14
42
No. 1 Bearkats
10
21
3
15
49
Statistics
UIW
SHSU
First downs
31
30
Total yards
600
556
Rushing yards
119
346
Passing yards
481
210
Turnovers
0
0
Time of possession
24:28
35:32
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Incarnate Word
Passing
Cam Ward
39/61, 481 yards, 5 TD
Rushing
Kevin Brown
12 rushes, 64 yards
Receiving
Darion Chafin
11 receptions, 172 yards, 2 TD
Sam Houston
Passing
Eric Schmid
21/32, 210 yards, TD
Rushing
Ramon Jefferson
22 rushes, 166 yards, 2 TD
Receiving
Jequez Ezzard
4 receptions, 60 yards, TD
No. 7 Montana State (NCAA Division I Quarterfinal)[ edit ]
Total
No. 7 Bobcats
14
14
7
7
42
No. 1 Bearkats
0
6
6
7
19
Statistics
MTST
SHSU
First downs
14
20
Total yards
359
433
Rushing yards
190
79
Passing yards
169
354
Turnovers
0
3
Time of possession
27:01
32:59
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Montana State
Passing
Tommy Mellott
6/11, 165 yards, 2 TD
Rushing
Isaiah Ifanse
24 rushes, 105 yards, TD
Receiving
Lance McCutcheon
2 receptions, 98 yards, TD
Sam Houston
Passing
Eric Schmid
27/39, 354 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT
Rushing
Noah Smith
6 rushes, 34 yards
Receiving
Ife Adeyi
9 receptions, 184 yards, 2 TD
Players drafted into the NFL [ edit ]
^ "ASUN, WAC form 2021 alliance, seek FCS playoff bid" . Verizon Media. February 23, 2021. Retrieved August 31, 2021 .
^ "WAC Coaches Select Sam Houston, Schmid, Kay as Preseason Favorites" . Western Athletic Conference. July 27, 2021. Retrieved September 19, 2021 .
^ "AQ7 Coaches Select Sam Houston as Preseason Favorite" . Western Athletic Conference. July 27, 2021. Retrieved September 19, 2021 .
^ "2021 Sam Houston State Bearkats Football Schedule" . GoBearkats.com .
^ "2021 Sam Houston State Football Schedule" . FBSchedules.com . Archived from the original on May 18, 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2021 .
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