⚡ CFB Dashboard

HUNTSVILLE - Sam Houston was within reach of its first home win since 2024 in the newly renovated Bowers Stadium, only to come up yards short in a dramatic 23-17 loss to Tulsa on Saturday evening. The Bearkats, who played last season at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, refused to back down, forcing a pivotal turnover on downs on a potential game-sealing field goal attempt while trailing 23-17 in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Landyn Locke , who threw for more than 300 yards for the second straight game, led Sam Houston (0-2) down to the Golden Hurricane 5-yard line with a first down in the final minutes. After three incompletions, Tulsa was able to break through to get to Locke, this time sealing the win with a sack. Jerrian Parker Jr. , who had 101 receiving yards, hauled in a 94-yard touchdown pass for the Bearkats, who host Nicholls on Sept. 19. Chris Reed also caught a scoring pass from Locke and finished with 93 yards. Locke had Sam Houston clicking from the opening kickoff as the Bearkats put together an impressive scoring drive. Running back Alton McCaskill got the chains moving with 13- and 10-yard gains, and Locke put Sam Houston on the board with a 39-yard scoring toss to Reed. Tulsa turned it over on downs as the Kat defense also made an opening statement. The Golden Hurricane was, however, able to tie the game at 7 to begin the second quarter. Lightning struck twice for Sam Houston. Locke pulled off a perfect option-read pass over the middle to Parker after the teams traded punts, and the speedy back outraced the chasing defenders 94 yards to the end zone to give the Bearkats a 14-10 lead at the break. The Golden Hurricane used a timely trick play to take the lead for good early in the third quarter despite the Bearkats racking up more than 370 yards of total offense. A fake punt turned into a 56-yard run for the go-ahead touchdown to make it 17-14. Tulsa added an 81-yard touchdown run, but after a missed extra point, Sam Carpenter put Sam Houston in position to come from behind when he nailed a 39-yard field goal to close the third quarter.