'Necks narrowly escape from Bearkats' late rally
Bill Welt
Issue date: 9/9/09 Section: Sports
The Bearkats had a golden opportunity to send the game to overtime, just inches away from the goal line with Western leading 35-28 with 21 seconds left.
The 'Necks shut down Sam Houston State as time ran out, but the defense was called offside on a failed pass attempt.
The penalty gave the Bearkats a dead-ball possession inside the red zone with no time remaining.
The pressure was tense; as senior quarterback Blake Joseph lobbed a pass to senior receiver Jason Madkins on a fade route the crowd grew silent.
The overtime hopes for the Bearkats were abruptly ended as junior cornerback Patrick Stoudamire broke up the pass to end the game.
"I told Pat before the series they were going to try them because that's the way it's gone the past three years that he's been on the field," said redshirt junior quarterback Matt Barr. "I told him to just make a play and he just said he had my back and he came through for us big."
Barr finished the day completing 18 passes on 26 attempts for 437 yards and three touchdowns.
Barr's 437 passing yards against SHSU placed him second in school history for passing yards in a single game behind Sam Clemons' 472-yard performance against Indiana State in 2001.
Junior wide receiver Lito Senatus served as an essential piece in Barr's performance.
Barr and Senatus connected 11 times for 235 yards and two touchdowns.
The 'Necks got off to a quick start on their first possession, as Barr hit Senatus for a gain of 39 yards into SHSU territory.
After reaching the SHSU seven yard line, sophomore fullback Josh Gabelmann scored a touchdown from seven yards out, giving the 'Necks a 7-0 lead.
The Bearkats quickly responded with their own touchdown on their second possession of the game.
Senior running back James Aston proved difficult to contain for the Western defense. Aston had a 21-yard rush and a 25-yard reception on their second drive of the game.
The 'Necks shut down Sam Houston State as time ran out, but the defense was called offside on a failed pass attempt.
The penalty gave the Bearkats a dead-ball possession inside the red zone with no time remaining.
The pressure was tense; as senior quarterback Blake Joseph lobbed a pass to senior receiver Jason Madkins on a fade route the crowd grew silent.
The overtime hopes for the Bearkats were abruptly ended as junior cornerback Patrick Stoudamire broke up the pass to end the game.
"I told Pat before the series they were going to try them because that's the way it's gone the past three years that he's been on the field," said redshirt junior quarterback Matt Barr. "I told him to just make a play and he just said he had my back and he came through for us big."
Barr finished the day completing 18 passes on 26 attempts for 437 yards and three touchdowns.
Barr's 437 passing yards against SHSU placed him second in school history for passing yards in a single game behind Sam Clemons' 472-yard performance against Indiana State in 2001.
Junior wide receiver Lito Senatus served as an essential piece in Barr's performance.
Barr and Senatus connected 11 times for 235 yards and two touchdowns.
The 'Necks got off to a quick start on their first possession, as Barr hit Senatus for a gain of 39 yards into SHSU territory.
After reaching the SHSU seven yard line, sophomore fullback Josh Gabelmann scored a touchdown from seven yards out, giving the 'Necks a 7-0 lead.
The Bearkats quickly responded with their own touchdown on their second possession of the game.
Senior running back James Aston proved difficult to contain for the Western defense. Aston had a 21-yard rush and a 25-yard reception on their second drive of the game.
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