2021 Sam Houston Bearkats football team

2021 Sam Houston Bearkats football
WAC champion WAC–ASUN Challenge champion
NCAA Division I Quarterfinal, L 19–42 vs. Montana State
Conference	AQ7
Ranking
STATS	No. 5
FCS Coaches	No. 4
Record	11–1 (6–0 AQ7)
Head coach	K. C. Keeler (8th season)
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 ←  2020 2022  →

2021 Western Athletic Conference football standings

v t e	Conf.							Overall
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
$ – Conference champion ^ – FCS playoff participant * – Ineligible for FCS playoffs due to transition from Division II Rankings from STATS Poll

2021 WAC–ASUN Challenge football standings

v t e	Conf.							Overall
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
$ – Conference champion ^ – FCS playoff participant Rankings from STATS Poll

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.

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

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]

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

• 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

Offense Eric Schmid – Quarterback, JR Ramon Jefferson – Running back, JR Ramon Jefferson – Running back, JR Jequez Ezzard – Wide receiver, GR Isaac Schley – Tight end, GR Eleasah Anderson – Offensive lineman, JR Prince Pines – Offensive lineman, SO Colby Thomas – Offensive lineman, SR

Defense Jahari Kay – Defensive lineman, SR Trace Mascorro – Defensive lineman, SR Joseph Wallace – Defensive lineman, SR Quentin Brown – Linebacker, JR Trevor Williams – Linebacker, JR Zyon McCollum – Defensive back, SR Jalen Thomas – Defensive back, SR

Special teams Seth Morgan – Kicker, FR Matt McRobert – Punter, SR Jequez Ezzard – Kick Returner, GR

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]

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

Roster

2021 Sam Houston Bearkats football team roster
Players			Coaches
Offense Pos. # Name Class WR 2 Ife Adeyi So QB 3 Eric Schmid  Jr RB 4 Ramon Jefferson  Jr QB 5 Keegan Shoemaker So RB 6 Noah Smith So WR 7 Brennon Tibbs  Sr RB 8 Daryon Triche Fr WR 9 Cody Chrest GS QB 10 Trapper Pannell Fr QB 11 Gunner Capps  Fr WR 12 Jequez Ezzard GS QB 13 Tristan Brady Fr WR 14 Ryan Humphries  So WR 15 Tony Williams  Jr TE 16 Isaac Schley GS QB 17 Matthew Southern Fr TE 18 Jacob Kainer  Jr RB 21 Zach Hrbacek Fr WR 22 Jaxson Chrest Fr WR 23 Adrian Murdaugh Fr RB 26 Kyran Jackson Sr TE 27 Dalton Meyer  So RB 28 Charles Crawford III Fr RB 29 Jacob Berry Jr RB 32 Weston Stephens Fr WR 36 Wyatt Huffman  So TE 44 Braeden Howell Fr OL 50 Reece Jordan GS OL 51 Jalen North  Fr OL 52 Colby Thomas Sr OL 56 Daniel Melendez Jr OL 57 Ethan Hagler So OL 59 Will Jones Fr OL 60 Seth Kohlscheen  Fr OL 61 Noah Barboza  So OL 62 Anthony Turrubiartes  Jr OL 64 Ben Bankston  Jr OL 65 Ylijaah Hall  So OL 70 Ryder Wall Fr OL 73 Moses Johnson  Jr OL 74 Trevor Jaks Fr OL 75 Eleasah Anderson  Jr OL 76 Prince Pines So OL 77 Peyton Fifield  So OL 78 CJ Marsh Fr OL 79 D'Ary Patton Fr WR 80 Shane Johnson Fr WR 81 Derrick Rose  Fr WR 82 Michael Murray Fr WR 83 Red Jones So WR 84 Xavier McGriff Fr TE 85 Rowdy Godwin Fr TE 86 Jarvis Brooks Sr WR 87 KeSean Raven Fr WR 88 Chandler Harvin  So TE 89 Marcus Collins Fr	Defense Pos. # Name Class DB 0 Taylen Blaylock Fr LB 1 Trevor Williams Jr DB 2 Kameryn Alexander So DB 3 Trey Smith  Jr DB 4 Braiden Clopton  Fr DB 5 Darrel Hawkins-Williams So LB 6 Trey Fields Fr LB 7 Ysidro Mascorro Fr LB 8 Quentin Brown  Jr DB 9 Jaylen Thomas Sr LB 10 Jaylen Phillips Fr DB 13 Isaiah Downes Jr DB 17 Ke'Shon Murray  Jr DB 19 Emon Allen Fr DB 20 David Fisher Fr DB 21 Nick Chrest Fr DB 22 Zyon McCollum Sr DB 23 Tristin McCollum Sr DB 24 Tobias Weaver Fr DB 25 Daniel North  Fr DB 26 RJ Bendert Fr DB 27 Savien Arnett Fr LB 28 Rance McInnis  Fr LB 29 Danzell Sims  Sr DB 30 Donovan Adkins Fr DB 31 Immanuel Sutton  So LB 33 Markel Perry  Jr DB 34 Emmonte Davis  Fr LB 35 Tim Hart  Sr DB 36 Truman Bexley Fr DB 37 Christian Williams Fr DB 38 Jevin Murray  Fr DB 39 Caleb Weaver Fr DB 40 Carson Horner  Fr DB 41 Kobe Sterling  Fr DB 42 Kavian Gaither Fr DL 44 Juan Henry  So DB 45 Quan Williams Fr DB 46 Jalan Mayes  So DL 48 Goodness Nwawuihe Fr DL 49 Matthew Aribisala Fr LB 50 Darien Flynn Fr LB 51 Trey Mappe Fr DL 52 Luke Horne Fr LB 54 Nick Abengowe Fr DL 55 Jahari Kay Sr DL 56 Cameron Plummer Fr DL 58 LJ Salazar  So DL 59 Briceon Hayes Fr DL 63 Roscoe Jones  So DL 90 Trace Mascorro Sr DL 91 Maize Washington Fr DL 92 Scean Mustin Sr DL 93 Richard Outland Jr. Fr DL 94 Jevon Leon So DL 95 Joseph Wallace Sr DL 96 Zach Loane  Jr DL 97 Chris Scott  So DL 98 John Mathis Fr DL 99 Kamren Washington Fr	Special teams Pos. # Name Class K 1 Seth Morgan Fr P 37 Cameron Hearn  Sr K 39 Reed Honshtein  Fr LS 41 Noah Caldwell  Jr K, P 43 Jadon Cardell Fr LS 45 Zach Stricker Fr P 47 Matt McRobert Sr K, P 49 Christian Pavon Fr LS 53 Tanner Boston So	Head coach K. C. Keeler Coordinators/assistant coaches Clayton Carlin – Defensive coordinator/safeties Ryan Carty – Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks Terence Archer – Passing game coordinator/wide receivers Gary McGraw – Cornerbacks/special teams coordinator/defensive pass game coordinator Chris Buckner – Running backs/offensive recruiting coordinator/NFL liaison Jared Hensley – Linebackers Matt Merkens – Tight ends Joe Morris – Defensive line Michael O'Guin – Defensive tackles/defensive recruiting coordinator Chris Rogers – Offensive line Clayton Barnes – Director of football operations & player personnel Ragan Henderson – Athletic equipment coordinator/assistant director of football operations Zach Milliet – Special teams analyst Mike Singletary – Offensive volunteer/high school relations Garrett Smith – Offensive quality control Michael Crow – Defensive quality control/assistant defensive recruiting coordinator Chandler Arbizzani – Video coordinator Legend (C) Team captain (S) Suspended (I) Ineligible Injured Redshirt Roster Last update: July 16, 2021

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Rank	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
September 2	8:00 p.m.	at Northern Arizona *	No. 1	Walkup Skydome Flagstaff, AZ	ESPN+	W 42–16	8,564
September 11	6:00 p.m.	Southeast Missouri State *	No. 1	Bowers Stadium Huntsville, TX	ESPN+	W 52–14	7,728
September 25	4:00 p.m.	at No. 25 Central Arkansas	No. 1	Estes Stadium Conway, AR (WAC/ASUN Challenge)	ESPN+	W 45–35	9,475
October 2	4:00 p.m.	vs. Stephen F. Austin	No. 1	NRG Stadium Houston, TX (Battle of the Piney Woods)	ESPN+	W 21–20	25,007
October 9	2:00 p.m.	Lamar	No. 1	Bowers Stadium Huntsville, TX	ESPN+	W 41–7	9,836
October 23	2:00 p.m.	Jacksonville State	No. 1	Bowers Stadium Huntsville, TX (WAC/ASUN Challenge)	ESPN+	W 42–7	7,559
October 30	6:00 p.m.	at Tarleton State	No. 1	Memorial Stadium Stephenville, TX	ESPN+	W 45–27	8,245
November 6	12:00 p.m.	Dixie State	No. 1	Bowers Stadium Huntsville, TX	ESPN+	W 59–10	5,004
November 13	12:00 p.m.	Eastern Kentucky	No. 1	Bowers Stadium Huntsville, TX (WAC/ASUN Challenge)	ESPN+	W 42–28	6,570
November 20	1:00 p.m.	at Abilene Christian	No. 1	Wildcat Stadium Abilene, TX	ESPN+	W 35–9	4,421
December 4	2:00 p.m.	No. 13 Incarnate Word *	No. 1	Bowers Stadium Huntsville, TX (NCAA Division I Second Round)	ESPN+	W 49–42	6,722
December 11	8:30 p.m.	No. 7 Montana State *	No. 1	Bowers Stadium Huntsville, TX (NCAA Division I Quarterfinal)	ESPN+	L 19–42	7,565
*Non-conference game Rankings from STATS Poll released prior to the game All times are in Central time

^{[4] [5]}

Game summaries

At Northern Arizona

See also: 2021 Northern Arizona Lumberjacks football team

	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 1 Bearkats	7	14	14	7	42
Lumberjacks	0	7	9	0	16

Statistics	SHSU	NAU
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

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Sam Houston	Passing	Eric Schmid	21/37, 268 yards, 3 TD, INT
	Rushing	Ramon Jefferson	11 rushes, 143 yards, TD
	Receiving	Cody Chrest	7 receptions, 106 yards
Northern Arizona	Passing	Jeff Widener	20/34, 275 yards, TD, 2 INT
	Rushing	Jeff Widener	9 rushes, 33 yards
	Receiving	Stacy Chukwumezie	6 receptions, 113 yards, TD

Southeast Missouri State

See also: 2021 Southeast Missouri State Redhawks football team

	1	2	3	4	Total
Redhawks	7	7	0	0	14
No. 1 Bearkats	7	24	14	7	52

Statistics	SEMO	SHSU
First downs	13	26
Total yards	306	561
Rushing yards	103	297
Passing yards	203	264
Turnovers	1	2
Time of possession	30:14	29:46

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Southeast Missouri State	Passing	C. J. Ogbonna	13/27, 168 yards, TD, INT
	Rushing	Geno Hess	15 rushes, 42 yards, TD
	Receiving	Aaron Alston	3 receptions, 63 yards, TD
Sam Houston	Passing	Eric Schmid	16/28, 243 yards, 3 TD, INT
	Rushing	Ramon Jefferson	11 rushes, 153 yards, 2 TD
	Receiving	Cody Chrest	6 receptions, 72 yards, TD

At No. 25 Central Arkansas

See also: 2021 Central Arkansas Bears football team

	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 1 Bearkats	14	17	0	14	45
No. 25 Bears	7	7	14	7	35

Statistics	SHSU	CARK
First downs	23	19
Total yards	478	326
Rushing yards	195	38
Passing yards	283	288
Turnovers	1	2
Time of possession	33:08	26:52

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Sam Houston	Passing	Eric Schmid	19/37, 283 yards, 4 TD
	Rushing	Ramon Jefferson	22 rushes, 104 yards, TD
	Receiving	Ife Adeyi	4 receptions, 80 yards
Central Arkansas	Passing	Breylin Smith	25/41, 288 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT
	Rushing	Darius Hale	10 rushes, 36 yards, TD
	Receiving	Tyler Hudson	11 receptions, 181 yards, 2 TD

Vs. Stephen F. Austin

See also: 2021 Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks football team and Battle of the Piney Woods

	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 1 Bearkats	0	6	0	15	21
Lumberjacks	10	3	7	0	20

Statistics	SHSU	SFA
First downs	17	16
Total yards	289	311
Rushing yards	67	96
Passing yards	222	215
Turnovers	2	1
Time of possession	29:31	30:29

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Sam Houston	Passing	Keegan Shoemaker	16/29, 222 yards, 2 TD, INT
	Rushing	Ramon Jefferson	19 rushes, 61 yards
	Receiving	Jequez Ezzard	4 receptions, 74 yards, TD
Stephen F. Austin	Passing	Trae Self	17/34, 215 yards, 2 TD, INT
	Rushing	Miles Reed	16 rushes, 47 yards
	Receiving	Xavier Gipson	9 receptions, 100 yards, TD

Lamar

See also: 2021 Lamar Cardinals football team

	1	2	3	4	Total
Cardinals	0	7	0	0	7
No. 1 Bearkats	14	6	7	14	41

Statistics	LAM	SHSU
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

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Lamar	Passing	Mike Chandler	11/18, 135 yards
	Rushing	Chaz Ward	11 rushes, 23 yards
	Receiving	Jeremy Davis	2 receptions, 52 yards
Sam Houston	Passing	Eric Schmid	13/31, 159 yards, 2 TD
	Rushing	Noah Smith	14 rushes, 120 yards
	Receiving	Cody Chrest	4 receptions, 81 yards

Jacksonville State

See also: 2021 Jacksonville State Gamecocks football team

	1	2	3	4	Total
Gamecocks	7	0	0	0	7
No. 1 Bearkats	7	14	21	0	42

Statistics	JVST	SHSU
First downs	15	25
Total yards	319	463
Rushing yards	123	228
Passing yards	196	235
Turnovers	3	1
Time of possession	28:03	31:57

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Jacksonville State	Passing	Zerrick Cooper	15/33, 169 yards, INT
	Rushing	Uriah West	7 rushes, 69 yards
	Receiving	Ahmad Edwards	3 receptions, 69 yards
Sam Houston	Passing	Eric Schmid	17/30, 227 yards, 2 TD, INT
	Rushing	Ramon Jefferson	14 rushes, 110 yards, 2 TD
	Receiving	Ife Adeyi	3 receptions, 88 yards, TD

At Tarleton State

See also: 2021 Tarleton State Texans football team

	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 1 Bearkats	14	14	17	0	45
Texans	14	0	0	13	27

Statistics	SHSU	TAR
First downs	30	22
Total yards	575	464
Rushing yards	268	61
Passing yards	307	403
Turnovers	1	0
Time of possession	33:15	26:45

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Sam Houston	Passing	Eric Schmid	26/38, 307 yards, 5 TD, INT
	Rushing	Ramon Jefferson	23 rushes, 173 yards
	Receiving	Cody Chrest	9 receptions, 148 yards
Tarleton State	Passing	Steven Duncan	25/43, 403 yards, 4 TD
	Rushing	Derrel Kelly III	9 rushes, 19 yards
	Receiving	Tariq Bitson	7 receptions, 130 yards, 2 TD

Dixie State

See also: 2021 Dixie State Trailblazers football team

	1	2	3	4	Total
Trailblazers	0	0	3	7	10
No. 1 Bearkats	28	17	7	7	59

Statistics	DXST	SHSU
First downs	18	22
Total yards	298	592
Rushing yards	58	403
Passing yards	240	189
Turnovers	3	1
Time of possession	29:52	30:08

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Dixie State	Passing	Kobe Tracy	28/48, 240 yards, TD, 2 INT
	Rushing	Drew Kannely-Robles	10 rushes, 42 yards
	Receiving	Michael Moten	8 receptions, 93 yards
Sam Houston	Passing	Eric Schmid	10/19, 124 yards, TD, INT
	Rushing	Weston Stephens	7 rushes, 90 yards, TD
	Receiving	Derrick Rose	3 receptions, 57 yards

Eastern Kentucky

See also: 2021 Eastern Kentucky Colonels football team

	1	2	3	4	Total
Colonels	0	0	14	14	28
No. 1 Bearkats	7	14	14	7	42

Statistics	EKU	SHSU
First downs	18	28
Total yards	368	521
Rushing yards	30	129
Passing yards	338	392
Turnovers	1	0
Time of possession	29:19	30:41

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Eastern Kentucky	Passing	Parker McKinney	28/45, 338 yards, 2 TD, INT
	Rushing	Kyeaure Magloire	4 rushes, 10 yards
	Receiving	Matt Wilcox Jr.	9 receptions, 103 yards
Sam Houston	Passing	Eric Schmid	27/44, 392 yards, 3 TD
	Rushing	Ramon Jefferson	15 rushes, 55 yards, 2 TD
	Receiving	Ife Adeyi	7 receptions, 138 yards, TD

At Abilene Christian

See also: 2021 Abilene Christian Wildcats football team

	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 1 Bearkats	14	14	7	0	35
Wildcats	0	3	6	0	9

Statistics	SHSU	ACU
First downs	21	17
Total yards	424	265
Rushing yards	174	91
Passing yards	250	174
Turnovers	0	1
Time of possession	30:01	29:59

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Sam Houston	Passing	Eric Schmid	18/32, 244 yards, 3 TD
	Rushing	Ramon Jefferson	14 rushes, 86 yards, TD
	Receiving	Jequez Ezzard	5 receptions, 106 yards
Abilene Christian	Passing	Peyton Mansell	20/35, 130 yards, INT
	Rushing	Davion Johnson	3 rushes, 36 yards
	Receiving	Anthony Smith	6 receptions, 49 yards

No. 13 Incarnate Word (NCAA Divisional I Second Round)

See also: 2021 Incarnate Word Cardinals football team

	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 13 Cardinals	7	14	7	14	42
No. 1 Bearkats	10	21	3	15	49

Statistics	UIW	SHSU
First downs	31	30
Total yards	600	556
Rushing yards	119	346
Passing yards	481	210
Turnovers	0	0
Time of possession	24:28	35:32

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Incarnate Word	Passing	Cam Ward	39/61, 481 yards, 5 TD
	Rushing	Kevin Brown	12 rushes, 64 yards
	Receiving	Darion Chafin	11 receptions, 172 yards, 2 TD
Sam Houston	Passing	Eric Schmid	21/32, 210 yards, TD
	Rushing	Ramon Jefferson	22 rushes, 166 yards, 2 TD
	Receiving	Jequez Ezzard	4 receptions, 60 yards, TD

No. 7 Montana State (NCAA Division I Quarterfinal)

See also: 2021 Montana State Bobcats football team

	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 7 Bobcats	14	14	7	7	42
No. 1 Bearkats	0	6	6	7	19

Statistics	MTST	SHSU
First downs	14	20
Total yards	359	433
Rushing yards	190	79
Passing yards	169	354
Turnovers	0	3
Time of possession	27:01	32:59

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Montana State	Passing	Tommy Mellott	6/11, 165 yards, 2 TD
	Rushing	Isaiah Ifanse	24 rushes, 105 yards, TD
	Receiving	Lance McCutcheon	2 receptions, 98 yards, TD
Sam Houston	Passing	Eric Schmid	27/39, 354 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT
	Rushing	Noah Smith	6 rushes, 34 yards
	Receiving	Ife Adeyi	9 receptions, 184 yards, 2 TD

Players drafted into the NFL

See also: 2022 NFL draft

Round	Pick	Player	Position	NFL team
5	157	Zyon McCollum	DB	Tampa Bay Buccaneers

References

1. "ASUN, WAC form 2021 alliance, seek FCS playoff bid". Verizon Media. February 23, 2021. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
2. "WAC Coaches Select Sam Houston, Schmid, Kay as Preseason Favorites". Western Athletic Conference. July 27, 2021. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
3. "AQ7 Coaches Select Sam Houston as Preseason Favorite". Western Athletic Conference. July 27, 2021. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
4. "2021 Sam Houston State Bearkats Football Schedule". GoBearkats.com.
5. "2021 Sam Houston State Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Archived from the original on May 18, 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2021.