Brian Bell threw for 254 yards and three touchdowns, leading Sam Houston State to a 34-16 win over Montana State in the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs in Bozeman on Dec. 7.
The Bearkats (10-3) rolled up 458 total yards, including 204 on the ground. Running back Tim Flanders gained 106 yards on 31 carries. Sam Houston’s defense produced five sacks, two turnovers and limited the Bobcats to just 292 total yards.
“It was the perfect storm of not getting things done,” Montana State head coach Rob Ash said.
Sam Houston State eliminated Montana State in the quarterfinals for the second straight year. Last season, at home in Huntsville, the Bearkats routed the Bobcats 49-13. Sam Houston advanced to the semifinal round of the playoffs and faces Eastern Washington. The Bobcats’ season ends with an 11-2 mark, the program’s most wins since 1984.
The Bobcats were dealt a blow early when senior linebacker, and Big Sky Conference defensive player of the year, Jody Owens was injured and didn’t return.
Montana State quarterback DeNarius McGhee finished the day 16-for-29 for 220 yards passing. MSU gained just 72 net yards on the ground, with McGhee leading with 36. Tanner Bleskin’s 76 receiving yards led the Bobcats, while Jon Ellis had 67.
After a first quarter played on nearly even terms, SHSU established itself in the second quarter. The Bearkats drove 79 yards on its first drive, with Richard Sincere scoring on a 12-yard run. After forcing a three-and-out, the Bearkats capitalized, and Bell found Trey Diller behind the Bobcat secondary for a 56-yard scoring strike, giving Sam Houston State a 17-3 lead.
The Bobcats ran only nine plays and gained just 13 yards in the second quarter.
Montana State rallied after halftime. The Bobcats forced a three-and-out on Sam Houston’s initial drive, and the offense marched 75 yards for a touchdown. McGhee scored from eight yards to get MSU within 20-9 after a missed extra point.
Sam Houston State punted to MSU on the next drive, pinning the Bobcats at the three. On a third-and-six from its own seven, McGhee found Ellis for a first down, but Ellis fumbled and the Bearkats recovered. SHSU scored on the next play.
Eastern Washington is the lone Big Sky Conference team alive in the FCS playoffs. The No. 2 Eagles defeated Illinois State 51-35 in the quarterfinals at Roos Field in Cheney, Wash., and will host Sam Houston on Saturday, Dec. 15 at 2 p.m. on ESPN-U. The winner advances to the championship on Jan. 5 in Frisco, Texas against the victor of top-seed and defending champ North Dakota State and No. 5 Georgia Southern. North Dakota and Georgia Southern play in Fargo on Friday, Dec. 14 at 6 p.m. on ESPN 2.