2021_Sam_Houston_Bearkats_football_team
2021 Sam Houston Bearkats football team
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.
Quick Facts Sam Houston Bearkats football, WAC championWAC–ASUN Challenge champion ...
| 2021 Sam Houston Bearkats football | |
|---|---|
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WAC champion WAC–ASUN Challenge champion | |
| Conference | AQ7 |
| Ranking | |
| STATS | No. 5 |
| FCS Coaches | No. 4 |
| Record | 11–1 (6–0 AQ7) |
| Head coach |
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| Offensive coordinator | Ryan Carty (4th season) |
| Offensive scheme | Spread option |
| Defensive coordinator | Clayton Carlin (5th season) |
| Base defense | 4–2–5 |
| Home stadium | Bowers Stadium |
Seasons | |
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More information Conf, Overall ...
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| Team | W | L | W | L | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 5 Sam Houston $^ | 5 | – | 0 | 11 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 21 Stephen F. Austin ^ | 4 | – | 1 | 8 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abilene Christian | 2 | – | 2 | 5 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tarleton State * | 2 | – | 3 | 6 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dixie State * | 0 | – | 3 | 1 | – | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lamar | 0 | – | 4 | 1 | – | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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More information Conf, Overall ...
| Conf | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Team | W | L | W | L | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 5 Sam Houston $^ | 6 | – | 0 | 11 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 21 Stephen F. Austin ^ | 4 | – | 2 | 8 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eastern Kentucky | 4 | – | 2 | 7 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Central Arkansas | 3 | – | 3 | 5 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jacksonville State | 3 | – | 3 | 5 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abilene Christian | 1 | – | 5 | 5 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lamar | 0 | – | 6 | 1 | – | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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]
Preseason polls
WAC Poll
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]
More information Predicted finish, Team ...
| 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 |
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- 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
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Offense
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Defense
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Special teams
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AQ7 Poll
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]
More information Predicted finish, Team ...
| 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 |
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More information Players, Coaches ...
| 2021 Sam Houston Bearkats football team roster | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Players | Coaches | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Offense
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Defense
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Special teams
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Roster | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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More information Date, Time ...
| Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 2 | 8:00 p.m. | at Northern Arizona* | No. 1 | ESPN+ | W 42–16 | 8,564 | |
| September 11 | 6:00 p.m. | Southeast Missouri State* | No. 1 | ESPN+ | W 52–14 | 7,728 | |
| September 25 | 4:00 p.m. | at No. 25 Central Arkansas | No. 1 |
| ESPN+ | W 45–35 | 9,475 |
| October 2 | 4:00 p.m. | vs. Stephen F. Austin | No. 1 | ESPN+ | W 21–20 | 25,007 | |
| October 9 | 2:00 p.m. | Lamar | No. 1 |
| ESPN+ | W 41–7 | 9,836 |
| October 23 | 2:00 p.m. | Jacksonville State | No. 1 |
| ESPN+ | W 42–7 | 7,559 |
| October 30 | 6:00 p.m. | at Tarleton State | No. 1 | ESPN+ | W 45–27 | 8,245 | |
| November 6 | 12:00 p.m. | Dixie State | No. 1 |
| ESPN+ | W 59–10 | 5,004 |
| November 13 | 12:00 p.m. | Eastern Kentucky | No. 1 |
| ESPN+ | W 42–28 | 6,570 |
| November 20 | 1:00 p.m. | at Abilene Christian | No. 1 | ESPN+ | W 35–9 | 4,421 | |
| December 4 | 2:00 p.m. | No. 13 Incarnate Word* | No. 1 |
| ESPN+ | W 49–42 | 6,722 |
| December 11 | 8:30 p.m. | No. 7 Montana State* | No. 1 |
| ESPN+ | L 19–42 | 7,565 |
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At Northern Arizona
More information Total ...
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 1 Bearkats | 7 | 14 | 14 | 7 | 42 |
| Lumberjacks | 0 | 7 | 9 | 0 | 16 |
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Statistics
More information Statistics, Sam Houston ...
| Statistics | Sam Houston | Northern Arizona |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
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More information Team, Category ...
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sam Houston | Passing | Eric Schmid | 21/37, 268 yards, 3 TDS, 1 INT |
| Rushing | Ramon Jefferson | 11 carries 143 yards, long 45 yards, 1 TD | |
| Receiving | Cody Chrest | 7 catches, 106 yards, long 45 yards. | |
| Northern Arizona | Passing | Jeff Widener | 20/34, 275 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT |
| Rushing | Jeff Widener | 9 carries, 33 yards, long 17 yards | |
| Receiving | Stacy Chukwumezie | 6 catches, 113 yard, long 54 yards, 1 TD | |
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Southeast Missouri State
More information Total ...
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redhawks | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| No. 1 Bearkats | 7 | 24 | 14 | 7 | 52 |
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At No. 25 Central Arkansas
More information Total ...
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 1 Bearkats | 14 | 17 | 0 | 14 | 45 |
| No. 25 Bears | 7 | 7 | 14 | 7 | 35 |
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Vs. Stephen F. Austin
More information Total ...
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lumberjacks | 10 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 20 |
| No. 1 Bearkats | 0 | 6 | 0 | 15 | 21 |
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Lamar
More information Total ...
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cardinals | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| No. 1 Bearkats | 14 | 6 | 7 | 14 | 41 |
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See also: 2021 Lamar Cardinals football team
Statistics
More information Statistics, Lamar ...
| Statistics | Lamar | Sam Houston |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
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More information Team, Category ...
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lamar | Passing | Mike Chandler | 11/18, 135 yards |
| Rushing | Chaz Ward | 11 carries, 23 yards, long 8 yards | |
| Receiving | Jeremy Davis | 2 catches, 52 yard, long 28 yards | |
| Sam Houston | Passing | Eric Schmid | 13/31, 159 yards, 2 TDS |
| Rushing | Noah Smith | 14 carries 120 yards, long 49 yards | |
| Receiving | Cody Chrest | 4 catches, 81 yards, long 37 yards. | |
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Jacksonville State
More information Total ...
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gamecocks | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| No. 1 Bearkats | 7 | 14 | 21 | 0 | 42 |
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At Tarleton State
More information Total ...
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 1 Bearkats | 14 | 14 | 17 | 0 | 45 |
| Texans | 14 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 27 |
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See also: 2021 Tarleton State Texans football team
Dixie State
More information Total ...
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trailblazers | 0 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 10 |
| No. 1 Bearkats | 28 | 17 | 7 | 7 | 59 |
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Eastern Kentucky
More information Total ...
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colonels | 0 | 0 | 14 | 14 | 28 |
| No. 1 Bearkats | 7 | 14 | 14 | 7 | 42 |
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At Abilene Christian
More information Total ...
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 1 Bearkats | 14 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 35 |
| Wildcats | 0 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 9 |
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See also: 2022 NFL Draft
More information Round, Pick ...
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | NFL team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 157 | Zyon McCollum | DB | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
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- "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.