2022 Sam Houston Bearkats football team

2022 Sam Houston Bearkats football
2022 Sam Houston Bearkats football
Conference	Western Athletic Conference
Record	5–4 (3–2 WAC)
Head coach	K. C. Keeler (9th season);
Offensive coordinator	John Perry (1st season; first five games); Matt Merkens (interim; remainder of season)
Offensive scheme	Spread
Co-defensive coordinator	Clayton Carlin (6th season)
Co-defensive coordinator	Joe Morris (2nd season)
Base defense	4–2–5
Home stadium	Bowers Stadium
	Seasons ← 2021 2023 →

2022 Western Athletic Conference football standings
v t e
Team	W		L	W		L
Stephen F. Austin +	3	–	1	6	–	5
Abilene Christian +	3	–	1	7	–	4
Sam Houston *	3	–	2	5	–	4
Utah Tech *	2	–	2	4	–	7
Tarleton *	1	–	3	6	–	5
Southern Utah	1	–	3	5	–	6

+ – Conference co-champions * Note: Sam Houston ineligible for WAC championship and FCS postseason play due to start of transition to FBS; Tarleton and Utah Tech ineligible for FCS postseason play due to transition from NCAA Division II. Rankings from STATS Poll

The 2022 Sam Houston Bearkats football team represented Sam Houston State University as a member of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) during the 2022 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Led by ninth-year head coach K. C. Keeler, the Bearkats compiled an overall record of 5–4. Sam Houston played home games at Bowers Stadium in Huntsville, Texas.

The 2022 season was the program's last season as a member of the WAC as the Bearkats joined Conference USA in 2023.^[1]^[2]

Offseason

Transfers

Outgoing

Player	Position	Destination
Kamren Washington	DL	Memphis
Ramon Jefferson	RB	Kentucky
Princeton Pines	IOL	Tulane
John Mathis	DL	Incarnate Word
Eleasah Anderson	OT	Western Michigan

Incoming

Player	Position	Previous Team
Al'Vonte Woodard	WR	Texas
Chris Murray	DL	TCU
Jordan Yates	QB	Georgia Tech
Toby Ndukwe	EDGE	SMU
Lloyd Murray Jr.	DL	Colorado
Simeon Evans	QB	Army
Ellison Hubbard	DL	Colorado State
B.J. Foster	S	Texas

^[3]

Schedule

Sam Houston and the WAC announced the 2022 football schedule on January 12, 2022.^[4]

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
September 3	11:00 a.m.	at No. 6 (FBS) Texas A&M*	Kyle Field College Station, TX	SECN	L 0–31	97,946
September 10	6:00 p.m.	Northern Arizona*	Bowers Stadium Huntsville, TX	ESPN+/ATTSN	L 3–10	7,117
September 17	6:00 p.m.	Texas A&M–Commerce*	Bowers Stadium Huntsville, TX	ESPN+	W 27–17	8,675
October 1	2:30 p.m.	vs. Stephen F. Austin	NRG Stadium Houston, TX (rivalry)	ESPN+	W 17–16	26,826
October 15	2:00 p.m.	at No. 23 Eastern Kentucky*	Roy Kidd Stadium Richmond, KY	ESPN+	W 25–17	13,187
October 22	8:00 p.m.	at Utah Tech	Greater Zion Stadium St. George, UT	ESPN+	W 18–13	2,719
October 29	7:00 p.m.	at Tarleton State	Memorial Stadium Stephenville, TX	ESPN+	W 40–21	20,237
November 12	12:00 p.m.	Abilene Christian	Bowers Stadium Huntsville, TX	ESPN+	L 28–45	7,592
November 19	12:00 p.m.	Southern Utah	Bowers Stadium Huntsville, TX	ESPN+/ATTSN	L 7–17	7,059
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from STATS Poll released prior to the game All times are in Central time

Game summaries

at No. 6 (FBS) Texas A&M

Pregame line	Over/under
TAMU –36.5	54.5

Sam Houston Bearkats at No. 6 (FBS) Texas A&M Aggies – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bearkats	0	0	0	0	0
No. 6 (FBS) Aggies	7	10	7	7	31

at Kyle Field, College Station, Texas

Date: September 3
Game time: 11:00 a.m. CDT
Game weather: Cloudy, 81 °F (27 °C)
Game attendance: 97,946
Referee: Kyle Olson
TV announcers (SECN): Dave Neal (play-by-play), Deuce McAllister (analyst), and Andraya Carter (sideline reporter)

Game information

First quarter

3:39 TAMU – Yulkeith Brown 66-yard pass from Haynes King (Caden Davis kick) – Texas A&M 7–0, Drive: 5 plays, 77 yards, 2:09

Second quarter

4:59 TAMU – Caden Davis 40-yard field goal – Texas A&M 10–0, Drive: 6 plays, 36 yards, 2:10
0:50 TAMU – Ainias Smith 63-yard pass from Haynes King (Caden Davis kick) – Texas A&M 17–0, Drive: 3 plays, 67 yards, 1:16

Third quarter

8:52 TAMU – De'Von Achane 1-yard run (Caden Davis kick) – Texas A&M 24–0, Drive: 12 plays, 71 yards, 6:08

Fourth quarter

11:10 TAMU – Ainias Smith 43-yard pass from Haynes King (Caden Davis kick) – Texas A&M 31–0, Drive: 9 plays, 89 yards, 4:48

Statistics	Sam Houston	No. 6 (FBS) Texas A&M
First downs	10	23
Plays–yards	55–198	67–387
Rushes–yards	27–107	32–110
Passing yards	91	387
Passing: comp–att–int	14–28–1	23–35–2
Turnovers	2	2
Time of possession	27:37	32:23

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Sam Houston	Passing	Jordan Yates	14/28, 91 yards, 1 INT
	Rushing	Jordan Yates	14 carries, 60 yards
	Receiving	Noah Smith	4 receptions, 35 yards
No. 6 (FBS) Texas A&M	Passing	Haynes King	20/31, 364 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT
	Rushing	De'Von Achane	18 carries, 42 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Ainias Smith	6 receptions, 164 yards, 2 TD

vs Northern Arizona

Pregame line	Over/under
SHSU –20.5	54.5

Northern Arizona Lumberjacks (0–1) vs Sam Houston Bearkats (0–1) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Lumberjacks	0	7	3	0	10
Bearkats	0	3	0	0	3

at Bowers Stadium • Huntsville, Texas

Date: September 10
Game time: 7:00 p.m. CDT
Game weather: Sunny, 88 °F (31 °C)
Game attendance: 7,117
Referee: Matt Jones
TV announcers (ESPN+): Tom Franklin (play-by-play) and John Harris (analyst)

Game information

First quarter

No scoring plays

Second quarter

11:54 SHSU – Seth Morgan 44-yard field goal – Sam Houston 3–0, Drive: 15 plays, 70 yards, 7:18
2:37 NAU – RJ Martinez 1-yard run (Collin Robbins kick) – Northern Arizona 7–3, Drive: 5 plays, 27 yards, 1:00

Third quarter

10:11 NAU – Collin Robbins 19-yard field goal – Northern Arizona 10–3, Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 4:43

Fourth quarter

No scoring plays

Statistics	Northern Arizona	Sam Houston
First downs	20	15
Plays–yards	77–314	60–252
Rushes–yards	35–59	34–141
Passing yards	255	111
Passing: comp–att–int	28–42–1	13–26–1
Turnovers	1	2
Time of possession	33:51	26:09

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Northern Arizona	Passing	RJ Martinez	27/41, 214 yards, 1 INT
	Rushing	Kevin Daniels	17 carries, 47 yards
	Receiving	Hendrix Johnson	8 receptions, 101 yards
Sam Houston	Passing	Jordan Yates	13/26, 111 yards, 1 INT
	Rushing	Jordan Yates	18 carries, 74 yards
	Receiving	Ife Adeyi	5 receptions, 62 yards

vs Texas A&M–Commerce

Pregame line	Over/under
SHSU –23.5	51.0

Texas A&M–Commerce Lions (1–1) vs Sam Houston Bearkats (0–2) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Lions	0	0	7	10	17
Bearkats	3	7	7	10	27

at Bowers Stadium • Huntsville, Texas

Date: September 17
Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
Game weather: Party cloudy, 86 °F (30 °C)
Game attendance: 8,675
Referee: Marcus Thornton
TV announcers (ESPN+): Randy McIlvoy (play-by-play) and Shea Walker (analyst)

Game information

First quarter

2:53 SHSU – Seth Morgan 40-yard field goal – Sam Houston 3–0, Drive: 8 plays, 32 yards, 2:42

Second quarter

12:10 SHSU – Jordan Yates 6-yard run (Seth Morgan kick) – Sam Houston 10–0, Drive: 8 plays, 44 yards, 3:21

Third quarter

10:59 TAMUC – Celestin Haba 41-yard interception return (Emmanuel Adagbon kick) – Sam Houston 10–7, Drive: 3 plays, 6 yards, 1:36
6:39 SHSU – Cody Chrest 3-yard pass from Keegan Shoemaker (Seth Morgan kick) – Sam Houston 17–7, Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 4:20

Fourth quarter

11:33 TAMUC – Emmanuel Adagbon 22-yard field goal – Sam Houston 17–10, Drive: 9 plays, 50 yards, 3:50
9:31 SHSU – Zach Hrbacek 7-yard run (Seth Morgan kick) – Sam Houston 24–10, Drive: 5 plays, 47 yards, 1:53
4:46 SHSU – Seth Morgan 46-yard field goal – Sam Houston 27–10, Drive: 7 plays, 28 yards, 3:31
0:31 TAMUC – Spencer Long 1-yard run (Emmanuel Adagbon kick) – Sam Houston 27–17, Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 4:15

Statistics	Texas A&M–Commerce	Sam Houston
First downs	14	27
Plays–yards	57–223	74–347
Rushes–yards	32–54	47–246
Passing yards	169	101
Passing: comp–att–int	13–25–1	11–27–1
Turnovers	2	1
Time of possession	28:03	31:57

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Texas A&M–Commerce	Passing	Zadock Dinkelmann	13/25, 169 yards, 1 INT
	Rushing	Zadock Dinkelmann	15 carries, 20 yards
	Receiving	Andrew Armstrong	7 receptions, 104 yards
Sam Houston	Passing	Jordan Yates	5/14, 63 yards, 1 INT
	Rushing	Zach Hrbacek	19 carries, 131 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Cody Chrest	4 receptions, 55 yards, 1 TD

vs. Stephen F. Austin

Pregame line	Over/under
SHSU –6.5	54.5

Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks (2–2) vs. Sam Houston Bearkats (1–2) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Lumberjacks	3	10	3	0	16
Bearkats	0	7	3	7	17

at NRG Stadium • Houston, Texas

Date: October 1
Game time: 2:30 p.m. CDT
Game weather: Party cloudy, 86 °F (30 °C)
Game attendance: 26,826
Referee: Jeremee Tate
TV announcers (ESPN+): Randy McIlvoy (play-by-play), Taylor McHargue (analyst), and Deephi Sidhu (sideline reporter)

Game information

First quarter

6:15 SFA – Chris Campos 31-yard field goal – Stephen F. Austin 3–0, Drive: 6 plays, 52 yards, 3:48

Second quarter

14:12 SFA – Moe Wedman 85-yard pass from Trae Self (Chris Campos kick) – Stephen F. Austin 10–0, Drive: 6 plays, 94 yards, 3:34
2:46 SFA – Chris Campos 30-yard field goal – Stephen F. Austin 13–0, Drive: 16 plays, 80 yards, 8:25
1:10 SHSU – Noah Smith 7-yard pass from Keegan Shoemaker (Seth Morgan kick) – Stephen F. Austin 13–7, Drive: 1 play, 7 yards, 0:07

Third quarter

10:12 SFA – Chris Campos 35-yard field goal – Stephen F. Austin 16–7, Drive: 10 plays, 66 yards, 4:43
7:50 SHSU – Seth Morgan 21-yard field goal – Stephen F. Austin 16–10, Drive: 6 plays, 55 yards, 2:14

Fourth quarter

0:35 SHSU – Dezmon Jackson 1-yard run (Seth Morgan kick) – Sam Houston 17–16, Drive: 11 plays, 78 yards, 2:06

Statistics	Stephen F. Austin	Sam Houston
First downs	17	20
Plays–yards	74–397	71–299
Rushes–yards	37–144	31–111
Passing yards	253	188
Passing: comp–att–int	19–37–1	14–40–2
Turnovers	2	2
Time of possession	35:11	24:49

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Stephen F. Austin	Passing	Trae Self	17/34, 239 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
	Rushing	Jerrell Wimbley	6 carries, 66 yards
	Receiving	Moe Wedman	1 receptions, 85 yards, 1 TD
Sam Houston	Passing	Keegan Shoemaker	14/40, 188 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
	Rushing	Keegan Shoemaker	9 carries, 56 yards
	Receiving	Noah Smith	5 receptions, 71 yards, 1 TD

at No. 23 Eastern Kentucky

at Utah Tech

at Tarleton State

vs Abilene Christian

vs Southern Utah

Roster

2022 Sam Houston Bearkats football team roster

Players

Coaches

Offense

Pos.	#	Name	Class
WR	`2`	Ife Adeyi	Jr
QB	`3`	Simeon Evans	So
WR	`4`	Al'vonte Woodard	Jr
QB	`5`	Keegan Shoemaker	Jr
WR	`6`	Noah Smith	Jr
RB	`7`	Dezmon Jackson	GS
QB	`8`	Sylas Gomez	Fr
WR	`9`	Cody Chrest	GS
QB	`10`	Trapper Pannell	So
QB	`11`	Tristan Brady	Fr
QB	`13`	Jordan Yates	So
WR	`15`	Tony Williams	Sr
WR	`17`	KeSean Raven	Fr
TE	`18`	Jacob Kainer	Jr
RB	`21`	Zach Hrbacek	Fr
RB	`22`	Charles Crawford III	Fr
WR	`23`	Adrian Murdaugh	Fr
RB	`26`	Jalen Washington	Fr
TE	`27`	Dalton Meyer	Jr
RB	`29`	Jacob Berry	Sr
RB	`32`	Weston Stephens	So
RB	`36`	Garret Hagler	Fr
TE	`37`	Jax Sherrard	GS
RB	`38`	Jevin Murray	So
TE	`44`	Braeden Howell	Fr
OL	`51`	Jalen North	So
OL	`52`	D'Ary Patton	Fr
OL	`57`	Ethan Hagler	Jr
OL	`61`	Noah Barboza	Jr
OL	`62`	Anthony Turrubiartes	Sr
OL	`63`	Ethan Vazquez	Fr
OL	`65`	Daniel Melendez	Jr
OL	`68`	Trevor Jaks	Fr
OL	`69`	Seth Kohlscheen	So
OL	`70`	Jordan Boatman	GS
OL	`71`	James Dawn II	Fr
OL	`72`	Keaton Altman	Fr
OL	`73`	Moses Johnson	Sr
OL	`74`	Khalil Miller	Jr
OL	`75`	Wade Willet	GS
OL	`76`	CJ Marsh	Fr
OL	`77`	Jihad Lateef	Fr
OL	`78`	Orion Irving	Fr
WR	`80`	Shane Johnson	Fr
WR	`81`	Derrick Rose	So
WR	`82`	Chris Hicks Jr.	Fr
WR	`83`	Red Jones	So
WR	`84`	Tyler Bailey	Fr
WR	`85`	Jaxson Chrest	Fr
TE	`86`	Thomas Jewett	Fr
WR	`87`	Jay Rockwell	Fr
TE	`88`	Marcus Collins	Fr
TE	`89`	Elijah Sohn	Jr

Defense

Pos.	#	Name	Class
DB	`0`	Da'Veawn Armstead	So
LB	`1`	Trevor Williams	Sr
DB	`2`	Kameryn Alexander	Jr
DB	`3`	Trey Smith	Sr
DB	`4`	Isaiah Downes	Sr
DB	`5`	Darrel Hawkins-Williams	Jr
LB	`6`	Trey Fields	So
LB	`7`	Ysidro Mascorro	So
LB	`8`	Sincere Jackson	Jr
DB	`9`	Jordan Morris	Jr
LB	`10`	Jaylen Phillips	So
DL	`11`	Chris Murray	Fr
DB	`12`	Donovan Adkins	So
LB	`14`	Kavian Gaither	So
DB	`16`	Daniel North	So
DB	`19`	Emon Allen	Fr
DB	`20`	David Fisher	Fr
DB	`21`	Nick Chrest	Fr
DB	`22`	Jacobe Chester	Fr
DB	`23`	Taylen Blaylock	So
DB	`24`	Tobias Weaver	So
DB	`25`	BJ Foster	GS
DB	`26`	RJ Bendert	Fr
DB	`27`	Savien Arnett	Fr
DB	`28`	Jaidan Scott	Fr
DB	`29`	Jadarius Brown	Fr
LB	`30`	Darien Flynn	So
DB	`31`	Christian Williams	Fr
DL	`33`	Markel Perry	Sr
DL	`34`	Toby Ndukwe	GS
LB	`35`	Gannon Tullos	Fr
DB	`36`	Truman Bexley	Fr
DB	`38`	Quan Williams	Fr
DB	`39`	Caleb Weaver	Fr
DB	`40`	Carson Horner	So
DB	`42`	Elias Escobar	Jr
LB	`43`	Philip Joest	Fr
DL	`44`	Briceon Hayes	So
DL	`45`	Tyler Moore	GS
DL	`48`	Goodness Nwawuihe	Fr
DL	`49`	Andrew Edmonson	Fr
LB	`50`	Trey Mappe	Fr
DL	`54`	Nick Abengowe	Fr
DL	`56`	Cameron Plummer	Fr
DL	`58`	Ca'lub Holloway	Fr
DL	`92`	Lloyd Murray	So
DL	`93`	Richard Outland	So
DL	`94`	Jevon Leon	Jr
DL	`95`	Trent Ward	Fr
DL	`96`	Matthew Aribisala	Fr
DL	`97`	Chris Scott	Jr
DL	`98`	Ellison Hubbard	GS

Special teams

Pos.	#	Name	Class
K	`1`	Seth Morgan	So
K, P	`34`	Keegan Sneedon	Fr
K	`39`	Reed Honshtein	So
LS	`41`	Zach Stricker	Fr
K, P	`43`	Jadon Cardell	Fr
P	`46`	Nick Bruce	GS
K, P	`47`	Kaden Morgan	Fr
K, P	`49`	Christian Pavon	Fr
LS	`53`	Tanner Boston	So

Head coach

K. C. Keeler

Coordinators/assistant coaches

John Perry – Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks
Clayton Carlin – Associate head coach/co-defensive coordinator/safeties
Joe Morris – Co-defensive coordinator/defensive ends
Matt Merkens – Tight ends
Cooper Bassett – Offensive line
Jared Hensley – Linebackers
John Johnson – Running backs/offensive recruiting coordinator/NFL liaison
Thomas Rocco – Cornerbacks
Jacoby Walker – Wide receivers
Zach Milliet – Special teams analyst
Clayton Barnes – General manager for football
Jaylon Bowden – Defensive graduate assistant
Connor Floden – Offensive graduate assistant
Dustin LeNorman – Athletic trainer
Tristin Connolly – Athletic trainer
Parker Whiteman – Strength & conditioning
Mike Reed – Academic coordinator
Chris Dunlap – Football equipment & operations assistant/video coordinator/director of football operations
Darcy Daugherty – Football administrative assistant/recruiting operations

Legend

(C) Team captain
(S) Suspended
(I) Ineligible

Injured
Redshirt

Roster

References

^ Ralph D. Russo (November 5, 2021). "Sam Houston State Among 4 Moving to Conference USA in Latest Realignment". NBCDFW. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
^ Caleb Beames (November 5, 2021). "Sam Houston heading to CUSA, BOTPW in doubt". KTRE. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
^ "2022 Sam Houston State Football Transfer Portal". on3.com. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
^ "Sam Houston Football announces 2022 schedule". KBTX. January 12, 2022. Retrieved June 3, 2022.

[1] Ralph D. Russo (November 5, 2021). "Sam Houston State Among 4 Moving to Conference USA in Latest Realignment". NBCDFW. Retrieved June 3, 2022.

[2] Caleb Beames (November 5, 2021). "Sam Houston heading to CUSA, BOTPW in doubt". KTRE. Retrieved June 3, 2022.

[3] "2022 Sam Houston State Football Transfer Portal". on3.com. Retrieved June 10, 2023.

[4] "Sam Houston Football announces 2022 schedule". KBTX. January 12, 2022. Retrieved June 3, 2022.

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v t e Sam Houston Bearkats football
Venues	Pritchett Field (1912–1985) Bowers Stadium (1986–present)
Bowls & rivalries	Stephen F. Austin: Battle of the Piney Woods Texas State
Culture & lore	Sammy Bearkat "Bearkat Fight Song" Bearkat Marching Band
People	Head coaches NFL draftees Statistical leaders
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National championship seasons in bold