Oct. 27, 2001
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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Jason Ogletree rushed for a career-high 124 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries as Samford picked up a 31-8 Homecoming win over Tennessee-Martin in NCAA Division I-AA football action Saturday.
Samford (3-4) took an early 7-0 lead as freshman quarterback Ramon Nelson tossed a 29-yard touchdown strike to wideout Aryvia Holmes. Senior safety Jonathan Clark caused a UT-Martin (1-7) fumble and returned it 54 yards for a 14-0 Bulldog halftime lead.
Samford added 10 points in the third quarter, as Chip Walters booted a 26-yard field goal and Gary Reed shot through an opening for a three-yard score late in the quarter. The Skyhawks got on the board to begin the fourth quarter as Jeremy Anderson scored on a 5-yard run, and quarterback Robert Hines scampered in for the 2-point conversion to cut the Bulldog lead to 24-8. Ogletree barreled in for his 4-yard score to put the game away early in the fourth quarter.
"We were not as crisp offensively today like we were last weekend," said interim head coach Bill Gray. "Ramon was not as sharp, and we missed some open guys and some big-play opportunities. Jason Ogletree ran the ball very well for us today, and he and John Williams gave us totally different looks in the backfield. Defensively we continue to get better, playing with intensity and making plays. With the exception of the one big run, I thought we did a good job of containing their option."
Samford tallied 369 yards of total offense, relying on the running game with 232 yards rushing to 137 passing. Nelson finished the game 14-of-26 for 140 yards and a score. Aryvia Holmes led the Bulldogs in receiving for the sixth game this season, snagging seven passes for 68 yards and a score. Ogletree's effort was his second career high set against the Skyhawks, as he recorded three touchdowns against Martin in last year's game at Seibert Stadium.
The Bulldog defense recorded its best performance of the season, allowing UT-Martin only 234 total yards of offense, 200 rushing and 34 passing. Anderson led the Skyhawks with 86 yards on six carries, and a combined effort at quarterback led to 2-of-11 passing with an interception. Will Stevenson had both receptions for 34 yards.
Defensively Jonathan Clark led the Bulldogs with six stops and two fumble recoveries. Clay Romano recorded three tackles for loss, two sacks, and Robert Evans caused two fumbles on the day.
Samford returns to action on Nov. 3, hosting Elon at Seibert Stadium for a 1 p.m. kickoff.
