RICHMOND, Ky. – The EKU football team took a lead against FBS-transitioning opponent Sam Houston with just over a minute remaining but fell 25-17 on Saturday night at CG Bank Field at Roy Kidd Stadium.

EKU held SHS to a field goal on its opening drive, but the Bearkat stretched the lead to 10-0 with 2:42 to play in the first quarter. 

A costly fumble by the Colonels to open the second quarter thwarted a potential scoring opportunity, but EKU found the end zone with 8:03 to play in the second quarter as Parker McKinney connected with Mo Edwards Jr. for a 23-yard touchdown. Patrick Nations tacked on a 26-yard field goal before halftime to knot the score at 10-10. 

Both defenses dominated the third quarter, with SHSU scoring the lone points of the quarter with a 47-yard field goal to give the Bearkats a 13-10 lead entering the final period. 

SHSU added another field goal to increase EKU's deficit to 16-10. With 4:01 to play, EKU got the ball and drove 83 yards in 10 plays. Braedon Sloan's 24-yard run put the Colonels at the goal line and two plays later, McKinney lofted a two-yard touchdown to Jayden Higgins to the EKU up 17-16 with 1:01 to go. 

However, a pass interference penalty followed by a 25-yard completion allowed SHSU to drive into field-goal range and convert the go-ahead kick with three seconds left. EKU's ensuing lateral attempts on the kickoff return were recovered in the end zone by SHSU, giving the Bearkats a 25-17 victory. 

The loss drops EKU to 3-3 on the season, while SHSU improved to 3-2. 

McKinney completed 21-of-37 passes for 234 yards and two touchdowns. Jyran Mitchell caught four passes for 69 yards, while Sloan rushed 10 times for 62 yards. Kelton Dawson led a stingy Colonel defense with eight tackles and 2.0 tackles for loss. 

EKU returns to action on Saturday, October 15 against North Alabama for a home ASUN matchup at 6:00 p.m.