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Sam Houston State vs. UTEP: Box score, stats and game summary ft. Jay Ducker

Sam Houston State took a significant step Thursday with a 41-21 win over UTEP. The Bearkats jumped out to an early lead, which they stretched to three scores on their first possession of the second half. From there, Sam Houston cruised to victory.

Sam Houston State is in its second season in FBS football and is approaching eligibility for the program's first-ever bowl game. The Bearkats went 3-9 last year, starting 0-8 before winning three of their last four games, including a pair of CUSA wins. Sam Houston has now opened 2024 on a 5-1 start, losing only to UCF. Last week, the Bearkats won a 40-39 thriller over Texas State.

On the other hand, UTEP has started 2024 on a 0-4 run. New coach Scotty Walden is still searching for his first win. The Miners entered today 129th of 134 FBS teams in scoring, averaging just 14.5 points per game. UTEP's last winning season was a 7-6 campaign in 2021.

Sam Houston State vs. UTEP Box Score

Team1st2nd3rd4thTotal
Sam Houston St.71021341
UTEP077721

Sam Houston State Passing Stats

PlayerCompletionsAttemptsYardsPassing TDs
Hunter Watson19292242
Jase Bauer 0200

Sam Houston State Rushing and Receiving Stats

PlayerRushesRush YdsRush TDsReceptionsRec. YdsRec. TDs
Jay Ducker97012170
DJ McKinney1413823280
Ife Adeyi21602220
Hunter Watson14320000
Noah Smith1903370
Simeon Evans0004250
Qua-Vez Humphreys0002471
Jay Rockwell0001110
Michael Phoenix II1402371
Jase Bauer 9260000

Sam Houston State Kicking Stats

Player XP/XPAFG/FGALong FG
Christian Pavon2 for 22 for 242

UTEP Passing Stats

PlayerCompletionsAttemptsYardsPassing TDs
Cade McConnell15282041
Trey Goodman0100

UTEP Rushing and Receiving Stats

PlayerRushesRush YdsRush TDsReceptionsRec. YdsRec. TDs
Kam Thomas62605310
Jevon Jackson4190000
Ezell Jolly17761150
Cade McConnell7-20000
Trey Goodman0003440
Kenny Odom0004700
Marcus Vinson0001521
Emari White000120

UTEP Kicking Stats

Player XP/XPAFG/FGALong FG
Buzz Flabiano3 of 30 for 0

Sam Houston put together a 75-yard scoring march off the opening kickoff, culminating in a 39-yard gallop from running back Jay Ducker. That score gave the Bearkats a 7-0 edge just 2:15 into the game.

From there, the defenses mostly took over, as neither team was able to mount a scoring drive until Sam Houston put together a 10-play, 81-yard drive. That march ended in a 23-yard scoring run from DJ McKinney with 4:24 left in the half.

UTEP was able to get back into the game after a 66-yard punt backed up Sam Houston to their own 1. QB Hunter Watson then fumbled and the loose ball was recovered by UTEP's Kory Chapman for a touchdown to pull within 14-7 before a last-second field goal extended Sam Houston's edge to 17-7 at halftime.

UTEP then went three and out to open the second half before Sam Houston struck again with a Watson to Qua'Vez Humphreys 33-yard touchdown to stretch the lead to 24-7. Later in the quarter, Watson added a 34-yard score to Michael Phoenix II and the route was on.

  • Sam Houston: Jay Ducker 39-yard TD run, (Pavon XPT), 7-0, 12:45 left in 1st
  • Sam Houston: DJ McKinney 23-yard TD run, (Pavon XPT), 14-0, 4:24 left in 2nd
  • UTEP: Kory Chapman 0-yard fumble return, (Flabiano XPT) 14-7, 3:12 left in 2nd
  • Sam Houston: Christian Pavon 19-yard field goal, 17-7, 0:17 left in 2nd
  • Sam Houston: Qua'Vez Humphreys 33-yard TD pass from Hunter Watson (Pavon XPT), 24-7, 13:23 left in 3rd
  • Sam Houston: Michael Phoenix II 34-yard TD pass from Hunter Watson (Pavon XPT), 31-7, 5:48 left in 3rd
  • Sam Houston: DJ McKinney 59-yard TD run (Pavon XPT), 38-7, 3:03 left in 3rd
  • UTEP: Marcus Vinson 52-yard TD pass from Cade McConnell (Flabiano XPT), 38-14, 0:23 left in 3rd
  • UTEP: Ezell Jolly four-yard TD run, (Flabiano XPT), 38-21, 9:25 left in 4th
  • Sam Houston: Christian Pavon 42-yard field goal, 41-21, 2:07 left in 4th

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