Nov 1, 2003
Final Stats
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. - Samford's Ray Nelson completed 24-of-36 passes for 313 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Bulldogs to a 42-24 victory at Tennessee Tech Saturday afternoon. In the game, Nelson also rushed for 49 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries.
Samford (6-3, 4-2 OVC) took an early lead when Nelson scored on an eight-yard run with 10:32 to go in the first quarter. Ty Neil's extra point made the score 7-0.
The Bulldogs added to the lead early in the second quarter when D.J. Stancil scored a touchdown on a 30-yard run on a fourth-and-two play with 13:13 to go in the second quarter. Neil booted the extra point and Samford held a 14-0 lead. Tennessee Tech (2-6, 1-4 OVC) got on the scoreboard when Derek White scored on a 10-yard run with 8:38 left in the second quarter. Josh Foster's extra point was good to cut the Samford lead to 14-7. Samford struck again on the next drive when Nelson hit Ossie Buchannon on a 64-yard touchdown pass with 7:59 to go before halftime. Neil's point after gave the Bulldogs a 21-7 lead. Foster kicked a 30-yard field goal with 1:30 left in the second period to make the score 21-10.
In the third quarter, Nelson hit Efrem Hill on a 24-yard touchdown pass with 10:52 to go. Neil's kick was good to increase Samford's lead to 28-10. Nelson scored his second rushing touchdown of the day when he scored from one yard out with 7:29 left in the third quarter. Neil's point after made the score 35-10. Tech's Jason Ballard scored on a two-yard run with 4:34 left in the third. The PAT cut the Samford lead to 35-17.
Samford's final score came on David Blount's first-career touchdown from two-yards out with 8:53 to go in the game. The PAT made the score 42-17. Tech's Antoine Varner put the final points on the board when he scored on a one-yard run with 11 seconds left to make the final score 42-24.
For Samford, Buchannon caught five passes for 139 yards and a touchdown, and Hill caught 10 passes for 112 yards and a score. Stancil rushed for 94 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries. Cortland Finnegan led the defense with 13 tackles. Derrick Wheeler had five tackles and an interception.
Samford will return to Seibert Stadium on Saturday, November 8, for the team's home finale against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks. Kickoff for the game is set for 1:00 p.m.
