The 2017 FCS Playoffs are here and we've got game-by-game wrap ups.
[divider]COMPARE: Any Two FCS Players | Any Two FCS Teams[divider]
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KENNESAW STATE 27SAM HOUSTON STATE 34 |
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Next up: vs. North Dakota State Date/Time: Dec. 15, 8 p.m. ET | TV: ESPN2 |
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HIGHLIGHTS: Sam Houston State Survives Kennesaw State in Thriller
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THE STANDOUTS
Jeremiah Briscoe, QB — SHSU: 20/29, 316 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
Yedidiah Lewis, WR — SHSU: 9 catches, 123 yards, 2 TD
Corey Avery, RB: SHSU: 21 carries, 129 yards, 1 TD
Shaquil Terry, RB — KSU: 5 carries, 120 yards, 1 catch, 14 yards
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THE TURNING POINT
It came down to the final possession. Kennesaw State faced fourth down with under 2 minutes to play, and tried to run a reverse to pick up the yardage and set themselves up for a score. PJ Hall had other plans, shutting down the play to seal the victory.
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THE SKINNY
Sam Houston State and Kennesaw State gave us a weekend sendoff Saturday night. It looked all Bearkats early as they went into the half up 24-10. Briscoe was firing, the receivers made plays and the run game was strong. At the same time, Sam Houston's defense slowed the triple option attack.
After a slow third quarter, Kennesaw mounted a fourth quarter comeback, buoyed by some big plays out of Shaquil Terry. The Owls' big plays, coupled with a couple big penalties out of the Bearkats, set up an epic finish after Briscoe was picked off late in the fourth quarter.
And while Sam Houston State's offense gets all the pub, it was the defense who made the final play to seal the game and send the Bearkats to the semifinals.
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PREVIEW OF NEXT WEEK
Sam Houston State survives and advances to take on North Dakota State next weekend in the Fragodome. These teams will meet in the playoffs for the fourth time since 2011, and all have gone the Bison's way so far — 2011 (championship), 2012 (championship) and 2014 (semifinals).
