Sept. 7, 2000

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - --Wide receiver Jon Pointer caught two touchdown passes from quarterback Josh Kellett and fullback Kadell Wright gained 140 yards in 30 carries to lead Samford University to a 19-17 win over Murray State University in Division I-AA football Thursday night.

Kellett hit Pointer on scoring passes of 47 and 29 yards in the second quarter as Samford (1-1) bounced back from an opening loss to Chattanooga. It was the third two-touchdown game of the senior receiver's career.

Rashad Brewer opened Samford scoring with a 27-yard run in the first period as the Bulldogs jumped to a 19-14 halftime lead.

After Brewer's run, Murray State (1-1) tied the score, 7-7, on quarterback Stew Childress' 29-yard scoring pass to receiver Shaun Boykins. Pointer's first touchdown gave Samford a 13-7 lead early in the second quarter, but Childress put Murray on top,14-13, with a four-yard run and Greg Miller's extra point.

Pointer took in his second scoring pass from Kellett with 2:10 remaining in the half. Miller kicked a 21-yard field goal midway through the third period to keep Murray close, but missed a 42-yard attempt that would have given Murray the lead early in the final quarter.

Samford maintained possession of the ball,37 and a half minutes to 22 and a half for Murray, using its running game led by Wright to advantage. The Bulldogs ground out 271 yards rushing and Kellett hit three of his four pass attempts for 116 yards. Wright's rushing and attempts total were career highs for the 210-pound senior.

Murray State rolled up 371 yards of offense. Childress completed 17 of 36 passes for 218 yards and Tim Linville ran 10 times for 73 yards to lead the Racers.

Samford will return to action next Thursday night at home against UT-Martin. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.