Jax State spoils Kats’ shot at first win
Sam Houston was seconds from picking up its first victory of the season, only to see it slip away in the closing moments of a 29–27 loss to Jacksonville State on Thursday night at Shell Energy Stadium.
Quarterback Hunter Watson threw three touchdown passes—two to wide receiver Chris Reed, including what appeared to be the game-winner in the final minute—but the Bearkats (0–6, 0–3 CUSA) remained winless despite one of their most balanced offensive performances of the season.
Jacksonville State (3–3, 2–0) marched 47 yards in the final 47 seconds, setting up Garrison Rippa’s 52-yard walk-off field goal. Rippa’s kick capped a night in which the Gamecocks rolled up 499 total yards, including 370 on the ground.
Balanced attack and key moments
Sam Houston took its first lead since the season opener when Alton McCaskill ripped off a 34-yard run to spark a third-quarter drive. On the next play, Watson hit Reed in the corner of the end zone for a 20-yard score and a 21–17 advantage.
The Gamecocks answered with nine straight points to reclaim the lead, but Sam Houston’s defense produced a critical fourth-down stop to give the offense one last chance. With less than a minute remaining, Watson found Reed again—this time from 19 yards out—to put the Kats up 27–26.
Jacksonville State refused to fold. Cam Cook, who finished with 218 rushing yards and two touchdowns, broke loose for an 18-yard run to start the final drive. Completions from Caden Creel to Pearson Baldwin helped move the Gamecocks into range for Rippa’s winning kick as time expired.
Stat comparison
| Category | Jacksonville State | Sam Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 499 | 286 |
| Rushing | 370 | 150 |
| Passing | 129 | 136 |
| First Downs | 26 | 15 |
| Time of Possession | 35:13 | 24:47 |
| 3rd Down Conversions | 4–15 | 4–12 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
Individual leaders
- Jacksonville State: Creel 13-of-17, 129 yards; Cook 31 carries, 218 yards, 2 TD; Baldwin 5 receptions, 72 yards.
- Sam Houston: Watson 12-of-19, 136 yards, 3 TD; McCaskill 14 carries, 87 yards; Reed 3 receptions, 63 yards, 2 TD.
Postgame notes
- Emon Allen blocked a JSU field goal attempt in the first quarter—the Bearkats’ first since 2023.
- Punter Curtis Gerrand pinned the Gamecocks at the 1-yard line, leading to a Sam Houston touchdown moments later.
- The Bearkats’ 14 first-half points marked their highest total in any opening half this season.
- Watson’s three touchdown passes tied his career high and marked his sixth multi-touchdown game.
- Cook became the first opposing player to rush for 200+ yards against Sam Houston since 2018.
Up Next
Sam Houston returns to Shell Energy Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 15, to host UTEP, still seeking its first win of the 2025 campaign.