Hunter Watson guides Sam Houston to 31-11 victory over New Mexico State

HUNTSVILLE, Texas -- , Hunter Watson rushed for 116 yards and two touchdowns to lead Sam Houston State to a 31-11 victory over New Mexico State in the Bearkats' Conference USA opener on Saturday night. New Mexico State (1-3, 0-2) scored first on a 32-yard field goal by Abraham Montano , but it was all Bearkats after that. Watson answered with a 46-yard touchdown run four plays later to give Sam Houston (3-1, 1-0) the lead for good. Isaiah Cash picked off a Santino Marucci pass and returned it 22 yards to the New Mexico State 35-yard line, setting up Jay Ducker 's 1-yard dive for a 14-3 lead after one quarter. Watson's 8-yard touchdown run pushed the Bearkats' lead to 21-3 midway through the second quarter and it stood at halftime.