SHSU Dismantles Incarnate Word 52-21

Courtesy: Paul Ridings,Jr., SHSU Sports Information

Timothy Flanders became the all-time Southland Conference rushing leader in Sam Houston State’s 52-21 win against Incarnate Word on Saturday.

Flanders, who ran for 157 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries, passed Claude Mathis of Southwest Texas with a 41-yard touchdown run in the third quarter before setting the new league record at 4,720 yards.

SHSU senior quarterback Brian Bell also had a career night, throwing four touchdown passes.

Bell tied his previous career best in the first half alone with three touchdown tosses.

Incarnate Word took an early lead on a 9-yard touchdown pass from Trent Brittain to Casey Jennings in the first quarter.

The Bearkats responded with a 19-yard field goal to cut the Cardinals lead to 7-3.

Bell connected with wide receiver Chance Nelson late in the first quarter and Nelson made two Cardinal defenders miss to work his way to the end zone.

Incarnate Word regained the lead in the second quarter with a 1-yard score by running back Junior Sessions.

Then, SHSU took over by outscoring Incarnate Word 42-7 the rest of the way.

Flanders scored on a 7-yard run with 8:52 to go in the second quarter and the Bearkats did not trail from there.

Bell came back with touchdown passes to Richard Sincere and Torrance Williams for 26 and 39 yards, respectively.

The Kats took a 31-14 lead into halftime.

Bell and Williams connected again in the third quarter for a 16-yard touchdown play.

The 41-yard record breaking run by Flanders led to a 45-14 lead for the Kats.

Brittain threw for a 19-yard touchdown to tight end Cole Wick with 3:08 to go in the third quarter.

Bell ran from one yard out in the fourth quarter to score his only rushing touchdown.

SHSU improved to 3-1 on the season.

Incarnate Word dropped to 2-2 and 0-2 against Southland Conference opponents this season.