Samford 63, VMI 21
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford football team used a strong performance in all three phases of the game to take a 63-21 win over VMI in the Southern Conference opener for both teams Saturday afternoon at Seibert Stadium.
Samford head coach Pat Sullivan coached the game from the press box as he recovers from offseason surgery.
As a team, Samford tallied 525 yards of total offense, compared to just 264 for VMI. The Bulldogs rolled up 318 yards in the first half while building a commanding 49-0 lead.
The 63 points by Samford are the most the Bulldogs have scored in SoCon game since joining the league in 2008, and the most in a game overall since 1987. The Samford defense forced VMI into four turnovers, while the Bulldog offense committed no turnovers in the win.
Individually for Samford, running back Denzel Williams rushed 16 times for a career-high 178 yards and two touchdowns. Krondis Larry had 10 rushes for a career-high 128 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Michael Eubank rushed 11 times for 43 yards and four touchdowns. The four touchdowns by Eubank tie a school record. Eubank also completed 6-of-9 passes for 66 yards and a score.
Karel Hamilton led Samford's receivers with two catches for 49 yards and a touchdown. Emmanuel Obajimi had one catch for 19 yards.
Defensively for Samford, Jamie Major and Sam Pettway had seven total tackles each. Josh Kimberlin came up with two interceptions, while Justin Cooper and Jerry Mathis had a fumble recovery each.
For VMI, quarterback Al Cobb completed 18-of-25 passes for 117 yards and two interceptions. Deon Watts caught six passes for 50 yards for the Keydets. Jabari Turner rushed 15 times for 66 yards and two touchdowns.
Samford jumped on top quickly on its first drive of the game. On the Bulldogs' second play from scrimmage, Williams ran 61 yards for a touchdown. Warren Handrahan added the extra point to give Samford a 7-0 lead with 12:43 to go in the first quarter.
On VMI's next possession, Samford's Kimberlin intercepted a Cobb pass, giving Samford the ball at the VMI 23-yard line. On the next play, Eubank ran 23 yards for a score. Handrahan's PAT pushed Samford's lead to 14-0 with 10:37 left in the opening period.
Samford added another first-quarter score when Eubank hit Hamilton for a 25-yard touchdown with 5:47 left in the quarter. Handrahan's extra point stretched Samford's lead to 21-0.
On the ensuing VMI possession Kimberlin came up with his second interception of the game, giving Samford the ball at the VMI 45-yard line. Six plays later, Williams scored his second touchdown of the game, this one from four yards out with 3:08 left in the first quarter. Handrahan added the PAT for a 28-0 Samford lead.
The Bulldogs tacked on another touchdown midway through the second quarter. Eubank scored on a seven-yard run, and Handrahan's PAT gave Samford a 35-0 lead with 8:41 left in the second quarter. The drive was set up when Mathis recovered a VMI fumble at the Keydets' 15-yard line.
Eubank scored on two more runs in the second quarter. He scored from one yard out with 4:01 to play to make the score 42-0. He later scored on a 23-yard run with just four seconds left in the second quarter to send Samford to halftime with a 49-0 lead.
In the third quarter Samford added to its lead when Larry scored on a 68-yard run with 11:00 to go to make the score 56-0. VMI put its first points on the scoreboard when Turner scored on a five-yard run with 7:12 left in the third quarter to make the score 56-7. Samford added a touchdown late in the third quarter when Jeremiaha Gates scored on a five-yard run with 3:18 left to push the lead to 63-7.
VMI added two touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Turner scored on a one-yard run with 13:30 left in the game to cut the lead to 63-14. Watts scored from four yards out with 3:53 left to make the final score 63-21.
Samford will return to action on Saturday, Sept. 27, when the Bulldogs play at Chattanooga. The game is scheduled for a 6 p.m. (CT) kickoff from UTC's Finley Stadium. The contest will be televised live on the American Sports Network. In the Birmingham area, the game can be seen on WABM My 68.
Mercer 42, Ave Maria 21
MACON, Ga. – The Mercer University football team set program record with 42 first-half points, scoring on each of its first five possessions of the game to run away with a 42-21 victory over Ave Maria on Saturday night at Mercer University Stadium.
Mercer got off to a fast start for the second-straight game, scoring the first 21 points of the game. John Russ hit Payton Usher with a play-action pass down the middle of the field for a 53-yard touchdown on the first offensive play of the game for an early 7-0 advantage, before Russ connected with Chandler Curtis on a 28-yard slant route minutes later for the team’s second score. Alex Lakes broke several tackles and burst up the sideline for 54 yards and a touchdown on the Bears’ next possession as Mercer took a 21-0 advantage in the first quarter.
Curtis added a 61-yard punt return for a score in the second quarter, while Russ wrapped up Mercer’s first-half scoring with a four-yard touchdown run to send the team into the break with a 42-7 advantage. Ave Maria added a pair of second-half touchdowns to round out the scoring on the night.
The Bears racked up 392 yards of total offense in the first half alone, before sitting their starters in the second half. Mercer outgained the Gyrenes 513-351 for the game, thanks to a balanced attack that compiled 270 yards passing and 243 yards on the ground.
Russ finished 11-of-16 for 181 yards and three touchdowns through the air to go along with 18 yards and a score on the ground before taking a rest after the first half of play. Lakes, the Southern Conference’s leading rusher, ran for 109 yards and a score in two quarters of action, while Usher compiled 131 total yards and a touchdown on the night.
Mercer returns to Southern Conference action next week, as it travels to Lexington, Va. to face VMI. Kick-off is set for 1:30 p.m.
South Carolina State 17, Furman 7
ORANGEBURG, S.C. - Jalen Simmons' 3-yard touchdown run just over two minutes remaining secured a 17-7 South Carolina State victory over win over FCS 21st-ranked Furman Saturday evening at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium.
Simmons' score came after the Bulldogs' Austin Smith returned a punt 53 yards to the Furman 4-yard line. Simmons was stopped for no gain on first down but bulled over left tackle on second down to provide South Carolina State (2-2) the two-score lead. He finished with 19 rushes for 127 yards in the contest.
S.C. State wrapped up the victory by stopping the Furman (2-2) on its final possession, notching three sacks as the Paladins turned the ball over on downs at their own 43.
The Bulldogs took a 10-0 first half lead on a TeDarriu Wiley 25-yard touchdown pass to Mykal Moody and 22-yard field goal by Tyler Scandrett.
The Paladins' tried to get on the board just before intermission but a Jon Croft Hollingsworth 50-yard field goal try missed wide left.
Furman's defense set up the Paladins' lone score of the contest with a fumble recovery by Jamarri Milliken at the South Carolina State 36. On the next play quarterback Dillon Woodruff floated a pass into the hands of Logan McCarter to pull Furman to within 10-7 at the 7:10 mark of the third quarter.
The Paladins managed to threaten only once in their final five possessions, getting to the Bulldog 44 on the strength of 20-yard pass from Woodruff to tight end Duncan Fletcher. The drive stalled, however, and the Paladins were forced to punt.
Furman initiated its last five drives from their own 5, 20, 25, 23, and 21-yard lines.
The Bulldogs finished with 232 yards rushing and 324 total yards. Furman was limited to 61 yards rushing and 268 total yards.
Woodruff passed for 200 yards, completing 17-of-31 passes with one interception.
Cory Magwood paced Furman with 15 tackles, including a tackle-for-loss. The Paladins matched S.C. State with four sacks, including takedowns by Gary Wilkins, Shawn Boone, James Elliott, and John Mackey.
Furman returns to Southern Conference play next Saturday when it entertains Western Carolina in a 3:30 p.m. clash at Paladin Stadium.
Charleston Southern 20, The Citadel 18
LADSON, S.C. - Despite a 120-yard rushing effort by quarterback Aaron Miller, The Citadel was unable to gain the advantage in a 20-18 loss to Charleston Southern on Saturday at CSU Stadium.
The Bulldogs fell to 0-3 and will return home to take on their third Big South opponent of the year in Gardner-Webb next Saturday. Charleston Southern improved to 4-0 and will face Charlotte next Saturday.
Miller's 120 yards and 22 carries were both game and career highs for the senior quarterback, who averaged 5.5 yards per carry. The Bulldogs finished with 269 yards on 52 carries.
The Citadel, which entered the game without a turnover and as one of the least penalized teams in the country, was troubled by both throughout the contest.
Runs of 13, 19, 22 and 24 yards were all negated by personal foul calls as the Bulldogs accumulated seven penalties for 77 yards. The Buccaneers finished with 10 penalties for 77 yards.
The Citadel scored 15 second half points including a one-yard plunge by true freshman Isiaha Smith in the fourth quarter which capped an eight-play, 52-yard drive spanning 4:24. A successful two-point conversion run by Dane Anderson made the score 20-18 with just under nine minutes left to play.
Smith finished the game with 36 yards on 10 carries.
After two stalled Charleston Southern drives, the Bulldogs found themselves in position to take the lead and marched 43 yards to the 50 before Smith fumbled the ball on a fullback dive with 1:26 left in the game. CSU's Zac Johnston recovered and the Buccaneers were able to run out the clock.
The Citadel fumbled the ball twice, losing both, while the Buccaneers did not commit a turnover.
After a scoreless first quarter, the Buccaneers tallied 10 points in the second on a 23-yard field goal by David Kennedy and a four-yard quarterback keeper by Austin Brown. Citadel kicker Eric Goins added a 26-yard field goal as time expired in the first half to make the score 10-3 at the break.
Following a three-and-out by The Citadel on its first possession of the third quarter, Will Vanvick punted the ball to Darius Hammond, who broke multiple tackles before getting loose and taking the return 74 yards for a score to give CSU a 17-3 lead.
The punt return was the first against The Citadel since 2012 when NC State's Rashard Smith returned a punt 73 yards for a score.
The Bulldogs answered immediately with a 12-play, 67-yard drive which was capped by a four-yard Jake Stenson touchdown run to pull The Citadel within seven points, 17-10.
The rushing score was the first of the senior's career after catching three touchdown passes in 2013. Stenson finished the game with seven carries for 38 yards.
The Bulldog rushing defense held Buccaneer ball carriers to only 79 yards and posted six tackles for a loss of 26 yards.
Senior defensive lineman Justin Oxendine recorded 1.5 sacks, while sophomore linebacker Tevin Floyd made six tackles and assisted on a sack. Senior safety Julian Baxter led the Bulldogs with nine tackles.
The loss was the second in as many seasons for the Bulldogs at the hands of their crosstown rival, dropping the Bulldogs to 0-3 for the first time since 2006 and just the 11th time in the last 100 years.
Gardner-Webb 43, Wofford 36
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – On Saturday night, the Wofford football team was defeated 43-36 by Gardner-Webb at Spangler Stadium. The game was tied at 36 with 5:37 remaining, but the Runnin' Bulldogs were able to score the winning touchdown with 2:04 left in the game.
The Terriers are 1-2, while Gardner-Webb is 2-2. Wofford was led by fullback Lorenzo Long with 151 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while quarterback Evan Jacks added 97 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. Gardner-Webb was led by quarterback Lucas Beatty, who was 22-of-33 passing for 233 yards and three touchdowns
The Runnin' Bulldogs took the opening kickoff and went 72 yards in ten plays in a drive that was capped by a two-yard touchdown run by Juanne Blount. Gardner-Webb had a 7-0 lead with 10:07 left in the first quarter. Wofford gained to first downs and then Evan Jacks went 45 yards up the middle for a touchdown. The score was tied at 7-7 with 7:08 on the clock.
On the next drive by Gardner-Webb, they gained two first downs before punting. Wofford had a 23-yard run by Ray Smith on third down and then Will Irwin was open for a 28-yard gain. Will Gay added a 14-yard run to move the ball inside the ten. A three-yard run by Lorenzo Long on the first play of the second quarter gave Wofford a 14-7 lead.
After a 36-yard kickoff return to begin their next drive, the Runnin' Bulldogs gained two first downs, including one on a pass interference call in the endzone. Seth Cranfill caught a six-yard pass for a touchdown to tie the game at 14-14 with 11:48 on the clock in the second quarter. Wofford went three-and-out and punted. Brian Sanders had a 52-yard punt and Gardner-Webb started at the 35-yard line, but went three-and-out.
With the ball back, the Terriers regained the lead on a 58-yard touchdown run up the middle by Lorenzo Long. Wofford had a 21-14 lead with 7:45 on the clock in the second quarter. Gardner-Webb was backed up after a penalty plus a sack and was forced three-and-out. The punt was partially blocked at Wofford took over at the 42-yard line.
The Terriers converted a fourth-and-two with a three yard run by Chase Nelson, his first career carry. On a fourth-and-six, Evan Jacks threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to Wade Francis for a 28-14 lead with 1:12 left in the half. Gardner-Webb gained four quick first downs and scored on a three-yard touchdown pass to Seth Cranfill with 6.8 seconds on the clock. The PAT was missed and the Wofford lead was 28-20 at the half.
To open the second half, Lorenzo Long had a 45-yard run down the far sideline. On fourth-and five from the 24-yard line, the run by Evan Jacks came up short and Gardner-Webb took over. After a couple big penalties by Wofford, the Runnin' Bulldogs scored on a 29-yard touchdown run by Tyrell Maxwell. The two-point conversion pass attempt failed at the Wofford lead was 28-26 with 9:16 left in the third quarter.
On the next drive by Wofford, Evan Jacks was intercepted by Spencer Havird and returned 24 yards to the seven yard line. Gardner-Webb took a 29-28 lead on a 22-yard field goal with 7:08 on the clock in the third quarter. Wofford went three-and-out and punted on the next drive.
Gardner-Webb used passes of 21 yards and 38 yards to move inside the five. Lucas Beatty scored from one yard out to give the Runnin' Bulldogs a 36-28 lead with 3:29 left in the third quarter. Wofford went three-and-out and punted, but Gardner-Webb punted back to the Terriers after gaining two first downs. Wofford drove 76 yards in eleven plays and scored on an 11-yard run by Evan Jacks. The two-point run by Ray Smith was good and the score was tied at 36 with 5:37 left in the fourth quarter.
The Runnin' Bulldogs went down the field, again aided by a pair of Wofford penalties. A five-yard touchdown pass to Kenny Cook with 2:04 left in the game gave Gardner-Webb a 43-36 lead. Wofford had fourth-and-three with 1:28 on the clock when a completion to Wade Francis kept the drive alive. Another first down catch by Francis moved the ball across midfield, but a pass on fourth-and-ten with 32 seconds remaining was short and the Runnin' Bulldogs took over on downs. A kneel down ended the game.
Wofford had 425 total yards, with 322 on the ground. Gardner-Webb had 358total yards, 232 of which were passing. Gardner-Webb had a 25 to 18 advantage in first downs. Wofford was 7-of-15 on third downs and 3-of-5 on fourth down. Gardner-Webb was 6-of-11 on third down. Wofford had ten penalties for 91 yards to six for Gardner-Webb. Gardner-Webb had a 30:22 to 29:38 time of possession advantage.