HOUSTON -- Gerald Thomas and Yedidiah Louis each returned third-quarter punts for a touchdown and Sam Houston State came back to beat Stephen F. Austin 34-28 in the 90th Battle of the Piney Woods on Saturday.

The returns covered 78 and 53 yards, respectively.

Stephen F. Austin had a 14-3 lead at the break but Sam Houston outscored the Lumberjacks 21-7 in the third to lead 24-21 going into the final quarter. The Bearkats (2-2, 2-1 Southland Conference) started the fourth quarter with a 14-play 87-yard drive that Corey Avery capped with a one-yard plunge with 13:12 left.

The Lumberjacks (0-5, 0-3) responded when Loren Easly, who finished with 213 rushing yards, broke for an 80-yard scoring run to close the gap to 31-28 with 10:39 left in the game.

SHSU's Luc Swimberghe added a 32-yard field goal with 6:34 remaining to seal the win.