MIAMI – Jase Bauer threw for 76 yards and rushed for another 72 in his first career start for Sam Houston, and the Bearkats held off Florida International 10-7 on Tuesday night and became bowl eligible in their first season in the FBS after a two-year transition.

Sam Houston (6-2, 3-1 Conference USA) becomes the fourth straight program to make the transition to bowl eligibility in its first two seasons of FBS membership. He joins Jacksonville State (2023) and James Madison (2023). and Freedom (2018).

Sam Houston scored first with 6:38 left in the third quarter when DJ McKinney scored from 1 yard out. The 3-yard drive was set up by a blocked punt and return by Jaylon Jimmerson. FIU responded with a 12-play, 65-yard drive that ended with a 25-yard scoring pass from Chayden Peery to Eric Rivers that made the score 7-0.

Christian Pavon hit a 20-yard field goal with 1:57 left in the fourth to give Sam Houston the lead after a 12-play, 79-yard drive that took just over six minutes.

FIU started its final drive at its 37-yard line, but the Panthers were negated by three holding penalties.

FIU (2-6, 1-3) was held to just 199 total yards.

Sam Houston missed a field goal on the first two possessions of the game. Kavian Gaither intercepted the first pass of the game, but Sam Houston was unable to take advantage of the short field as Pavon's 41-yard field goal attempt hit the right upright. The Bearkats stopped FIU at midfield on their next drive when Chris Murray sacked Keyone Jenkins on fourth down, but Pavon missed a 49-yarder.

It was the second scoreless first half in an FBS game this season, along with Nebraska vs. Purdue on Sept. 28.

Peery, a fourth-string QB, came off the bench with 1:42 left in the first half and completed his first pass in an FIU uniform. He finished the game 7 of 12 for 58 yards.