Sams rallies McNeese State to 27-10 win over Sam Houston St.

LAKE CHARLES, La. (AP) Daniel Sams threw for 168 yards and one touchdown and ran for 164 yards and another score as McNeese State rallied past Sam Houston State 27-10 to claim the Southland Conference title on Saturday night.

The Bearkats (6-3, 5-2) who could have moved into a tie for the conference championship with a win, took an early 10-0 lead when Darion Flowers picked off a Sams' pass and returned it 90 yards for a score and Tre Honshtein booted a 20-yard field goal.

McNeese State (9-0, 8-0) answered when Sams sprinted 64 yards for a score and tossed a 6-yard scoring pass to Kent Shelby in the final seconds of the first half for a 14-10 lead.

Jean Breaux booted a 27-yard field goal in the fourth quarter for a 20-10 advantage. The Bearkats bobbled the ensuing kickoff and the Cowboys recovered. On the next play Ryan Ross broke for a 20-yard scoring run.