PHOTO CREDIT BRIANNE BUCKFELDER
In Chandler Burks‘ first game as interim head coach, the Owls fell to Sam Houston State 23-17 in overtime on Saturday at Fifth Third Stadium.
After Owls’ quarterback Davis Bryson led a game-tying drive with under two minutes to play, Kennesaw State was unable to score on their overtime possession, and SHSU’s Hunter Watson took a quarterback keeper 10 yards into the end zone to secure a Bearkats victory.
“That one was tough,” Burks said. “We played a really really good football team – It’s tough because of the outcome. The outcome that our kids so much desired, honestly the entire community, our fanbase, the organization and everybody.”
Burks, who was elevated from his role as offensive coordinator following the termination of head coach Brian Bohannon, opted to coach the game from the coaches booth. Running backs coach Tim Glanton handled on-field formalities.
“The goal has always been and will always be what is best for the young men our program and making sure we doing everything that we can within our power to make sure that we’re setting them up for success,” Burks said. “(Coaching from the booth) was an easy decision to be honest with you.”
After a scoreless first quarter, the Owls took a 3-0 lead when Austin Welch hit a 25-yard field goal to cap a drive that lasted 13 plays and over 10 minutes.
A few drives later, the Bearkats tied the game at 3-3 thanks to a Christian Pavon 29-yard field goal with 1:56 remaining in the first half.
Scoring picked up immediately in the third quarter when Watson led a 75 yard drive that ended with a 25-yard scramble for a touchdown.
The Owls would responded late in the quarter when a JeRico Washington Jr. interception set KSU up inside the SHSU 10-yard-line. Two plays later, Michael Benefield bowled his way into the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown, tying the game at 10-10.
After teams traded punts for the next four drives, Sam Houston patched together an eight play, 70 yard scoring drive that was capped by a Jay Ducker 17-yard touchdown rush with 1:54 left on the clock, giving the Bearkats a 17-10 advantage.
On their final drive of regulation, Bryson completed passes to Blake Bohannon, Christian Moss and Qua Ashley to move the Owls inside the Bearkat’s 10-yard-line.
On third-and-goal from the nine-yard-line, Bryson found tight end Carson Kent in the end zone to tie the game at 17-17 with 25 seconds remaining in regulation.
KSU was unable to convert a first down in overtime and Welch missed a 36-yard field goal, giving SHSU the opportunity to win with any score.
Two plays into their overtime possessions, Watson delivered a 10-yard rushing touchdown to give the Bearkats the win, 23-17.
Brian Bohannon did attend the game, and was spotted greeting fans and players pregame.
