Sam Houston State 34, Montana State 16: Brian Bell threw for three touchdowns as the visiting Bearkats used an explosive second quarter to upset the third-seeded Bobcats in the quarterfinal round of the FCS playoffs.
Bell threw for 254 yards while two-time Southland Conference Player of the Year Tim Flanders rushed for 106 yards for Sam Houston State (10-3), which will await the winner of Saturdayâ??s game between Illinois State and Eastern Washington.
DeNarius McGhee threw for 220 yards, rushed for a touchdown and passed for another for the Bobcats (11-2), who saw their season end at the hands of the Bearkats for the second straight season.
After Montana State tied the game at 3-3 near the end of the first quarter, the Bobcats managed just 13 total yards in the second quarter while the Bearkatsâ?? offense rolled off 17 straight points. Richard Sincereâ??s 12-yard touchdown run on the ensuing drive preceded Bellâ??s 56-yard scoring strike to Trey Dilfer, extending the lead to 17-3 with 9:41 remaining in the half.
Miguel Antonio added a short field goal as time expired in the half and Bell threw for two touchdowns after the break â?? both to Chance Nelson â?? as Sam Houston State stretched its lead to 34-9 early in the fourth.
