Kennesaw, Georgia — On Saturday, Hunter Watson spearheaded Sam Houston’s offensive efforts by scoring a decisive 10-yard touchdown that clinched a 23-17 victory against Kennesaw State in overtime.

Watson executed a keeper run to the left, leaping towards the pylon to secure the winning score. With this win, Sam Houston’s record improved to 5-2 overall and 5-1 in Conference USA, putting them in a tie for second place with Western Kentucky, just one game behind Jacksonville State.

Looking ahead, the Bearkats will head to Jacksonville State and will finish their regular season at home against Liberty.

The Owls, currently at 1-9 and 1-5 in the conference, were unable to earn Chandler Burks his first victory as interim head coach after he took the reins following Brian Bohannon’s firing earlier in the week. Bohannon was let go after Kennesaw State’s challenging 43-25 loss to UTEP in double overtime.

In the game, Watson contributed significantly with 62 rushing yards and two touchdowns, in addition to throwing for 179 yards despite throwing one interception. Also making an impact was Jay Ducker, who rushed for a substantial 111 yards on 18 carries.

A crucial moment came when Watson connected on a 32-yard pass to Simeon Evans, bringing the team down to the Kennesaw State 37-yard line. This set up a 17-yard touchdown run by Ducker with just four minutes remaining, which gave Sam Houston a 17-10 edge.

However, Kennesaw State managed to mount a final drive starting from their own 29-yard line. The Owls executed a remarkable 10-play drive, culminating in a 9-yard touchdown pass from Davis Bryson to Carson Kent with only 25 seconds left on the clock.

A last-minute Hail Mary attempt was batted away in the end zone, forcing the game into overtime.

Bryson’s overall performance included 137 passing yards, one touchdown, and an interception. The game showcased a determined effort by both teams through its thrilling moments and dramatic finish.