Eric Schmid threw for 392 yards with three touchdowns, ran for a fourth and Sam Houston defeated Eastern Kentucky 42-28 to clinch an automatic qualifier into the upcoming FCS playoffs.

Eric Schmid threw five touchdown passes to lead FCS top-ranked Sam Houston to a 45-27 victory over Tarleton.

Eric Schmid threw a pair of touchdown passes, Ramon Jefferson ran for two more scores and FCS top-ranked Sam Houston rolled past Jacksonville State 42-7 for the Bearkats’ 16th straight victory.

The weather, a match-up of two excellent teams, and other various circumstances would ensure that this was a tough game for the Bearkats to win.

Sam Houston State defeated South Dakota State 23-21 on a last-minute touchdown to win the school's first FCS national championship in football in the school's history.

HOUSTON – The last time Eric Schmid ran out of the tunnel for a playoff game it was December 17, 2016.

ARLINGTON – The emotional season came to an end for the Woodlands Highlanders in disappointing fashion as the team lost in the state championship game, 41-13 to Lake Travis. The Woodlands came into the 6A Division I title game undefeated after persevering through tough circumstances when one of their teammates Grant Milton suffered a brain injury during an early round playoff game. Thousands of fans made the trip from the Woodlands to Arlington for the game, showing tremendous support for Milton and his family. His familiar number 21 jersey t-shirts could be seen throughout AT&T StadiumPlayers wore socks with Milton’s number 21 displayed and their helmets had number 21 stickers on them as well. It was the second state title appearance for the Woodlands, who last played for the championship in 2003.