Sam Houston State routs Texas Southern 50-6

HOUSTON (AP) — Brian Bell passed for 209 yards and three touchdowns and Sam Houston State had 549 yards of total offense in a 50-6 victory over Texas Southern on Thursday night.

The Bearkats (2-2) struck early, with Bell finding Texas A&M transfer Chance Nelson open for a 61-yard scoring pass 3 minutes into the game. Bell also threw a 22-yard scoring pass to Stephen Williams, and added a 32-yarder to Nelson en route to a 33-6 halftime lead at BVAA Compass Stadium.

Nelson finished with three catches for 127 yards.

Linebacker Darius Taylor had eight tackles, including two sacks, and Sam Houston limited the Tigers (1-4) to 149 yards of total offense.

Dax Swanson’s 12th career interception set up the Bearkats’ second touchdown, with Trey Diller scoring on a 32-yard run after an option pitch from Bell. Swanson needs one more interception to tie the Sam Houston career record set by Ronnie Choate 1955-59.

Justice Jones threw a 16-yard TD pass to James Davis in the second quarter for Texas Southern’s lone points. Preston Sanders blocked the extra point and Kenneth Jenkins picked up the ball at the 20 and ran it back for a defensive conversion.

In the second half, Keshawn Hill scored on a 36-yard run, and Ridgeway Frank had a 4-yard TD run.