The Sam Houston State Bearkats (2-0) secured a convincing 35-21 victory over the New Mexico State Aggies in their home opener on Saturday, led by an impressive performance from senior tailback Jay Ducker.
Ducker, who carried the offensive load for the Bearkats, finished the game with 174 rushing yards and added 56 receiving yards. His all-around performance played a pivotal role in keeping Sam Houston State in control after an early scare.
The Aggies struck quickly, scoring a touchdown just two plays into the game, which left the home crowd momentarily stunned. However, the Bearkats quickly re-focused and came alive on both sides of the ball. Sam Houston held New Mexico State to just one more touchdown through three quarters of play, limiting the Aggies offense to minimal gains.
Coach Larry Bell, while thrilled with his teams eventual response, was visibly frustrated with the early lapse. We werent happy with the start. We let them jump on us early, but the guys refocused and took control, Bell said after the game. That’s the kind of resilience I want to see from this team.”
As the game progressed, Sam Houston State asserted their dominance, with Ducker playing a key role in both the run and pass game. Quarterback play was solid, and the defense showed its strength as they stuffed the Aggies’ offense at crucial moments.
While the Bearkats’ starters were in the game, they kept New Mexico State at bay, but the Aggies were able to score a late touchdown in the fourth quarter when Sam Houstons backups took over.
After the win, Coach Bell shared his appreciation for his senior leader, Ducker, who continued to prove why he’s one of the most reliable players in the program. Jay is the heart of this team. I couldn’t be prouder of him, Bell stated. And as for celebrating, the first hour of happy hour at Morgan Wallen’s new bar is on me. You might find me there yourself.
With the victory, the Bearkats now turn their attention to a tough road matchup against Buffalo next week. Bell and his team will need to carry their momentum into the game, where they’ll face a challenging opponent in a hostile environment.
As Sam Houston State continues their strong start to the season, fans are left hopeful that the Bearkats will build on this performance and push for a successful year.
NMSU started the game exactly how they wanted: get the ball first and score fast. The problem was that their DL seemed to stay out too late from the night before and were sleepwalking on defense. After the quick score, Sam Houston ran it down their throats; there was nothing they could do to stop them.
After the game, Tony Sanchez and Joe Morris were seen in a fistfight in front of the team bunch. I'd expect some playbook changes moving forward.
All in all, Sam Houston was too much for NMSU to handle but I bet this team makes some adjustments in the coming days.
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