The Villanova Wildcats were upset at home by Sam Houston State as the Bearkats came away the victors with a score of 31-34 when all was said and done.
Sam Houston State got very good field position on their first drive of the game as Josh Lyons blocked Villanova's punt and it was recovered by Cory Hamlett at the 17 yard line. It was ground and pound for the Bearkats as they ran it on every single play of their first offensive possession of the game. The drive ended on a two yard pitch and catch from Jared Johnson to LaDarius Brown.
On the ensuing Villanova drive, it took only six plays to go 90 yards as Chris Polony hit Poppy Livers for a 54 yard touchdown to bring the Wildcats within one, however, the home side were unable to tie the game as they missed the extra point and the score remained 7-6 midway through the first quarter.
There were not many talking points during that second quarter other than a couple of field goals and a touchdown from Sam Houston State. The touchdown was a short 4 yard pass from Johnson to Gerald Thomas.
The second half was more of the same. Both sides played defense well, limiting each other to few points throughout the 30 minutes of action. Villanova may have outscored the visitors in the latter part of the game, but it wasn't enough as a missed field goal in the final minutes ended their season. Kevin Monongai exploded for 58 yards up the field and tied up the game at 21 apiece. That would be the final points of the third quarter as we headed the last frame.
It was here where the defenses from both sides really clamped down and limited both sides to minimal drives. However, Sam Houston State finished off a drive early in the 4th with a field goal that would prove to be extremely vital. Because on the very next possession, Villanova would scamper down the field and capped it off with a 1 yard touchdown run from their quarterback to retake the lead.
But this game was far from over as SHSU had enough energy in them for one last drive down the length of the field. On this last drive, the Bearkats took plenty of time off of the clock as the ball was ran in from the one yard line by Jal Overstreet to give them the final score and move on to the semi-finals.