LAKE CHARLES, La. -- Daniel Sams threw for 168 yards and one touchdown and ran for 164 yards and another score as McNeese State rallied past Sam Houston State 27-10 to claim the Southland Conference title on Saturday night.

The Bearkats (6-3, 5-2) who could have moved into a tie for the conference championship with a win, took an early 10-0 lead when Darion Flowers picked off a Sams' pass and returned it 90 yards for a score and Tre Honshtein booted a 20-yard field goal.

McNeese State (9-0, 8-0) answered when Sams sprinted 64 yards for a score and tossed a 6-yard scoring pass to Kent Shelby in the final seconds of the first half for a 14-10 lead.

Jean Breaux booted a 27-yard field goal in the fourth quarter for a 20-10 advantage. The Bearkats bobbled the ensuing kickoff and the Cowboys recovered. On the next play Ryan Ross broke for a 20-yard scoring run.