Johnson leads Sam Houston St. to 59-21 win over NW State

HUNTSVILLE, Texas (AP) Jared Johnson threw for 275 yards and three touchdowns and Corey Avery rushed for a career-high 197 yards and two scores to lead Sam

HUNTSVILLE, Texas (AP) Jared Johnson threw for 275 yards and three touchdowns and Corey Avery rushed for a career-high 197 yards and two scores to lead Sam Houston State to a dominating 59-21 win over Northwestern State on Saturday.

Yedidiah Louis grabbed five passes for 69 yards and two scores.

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The Bearkats (7-3, 6-2 Southland Conference) needed this win to keep alive hopes of making the playoffs for the fifth straight year. Next week Sam Houston State will play at Central Arkansas, which is 6-3 (6-1 conference) going into Saturday night's game with Nicholls (2-7, 2-5). SHSU is one of only three teams to earn FCS playoff berths for the last four years.

The score was tied at 7 with 3:51 left in the first quarter when the Bearkats scored 28 straight points for a 35-7 advantage late in the second quarter.

De'Mard Llorens rushed for 122 yards for Nothwestern State (3-7, 3-5).