Aug. 28, 2003
Final Stats
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -
The Samford football team built a big first-half lead, and then held on late to claim a 31-23 victory over the Chattanooga Mocs in the season-opener for both teams at Finley Stadium Thursday night. The win ends an eight-game losing streak for Samford in the series.
"We got a win, that's the positive part," Samford head coach Bill Gray said. "The other positive was, we came out strong in the first half on both sides of the ball and made some things happen. We have a lot of improvement to do in closing a game. But, I'd rather win ugly and have something to work off of than lose pretty. We came up here and beat a quality opponent in Chattanooga, and we are excited."
Samford (1-0) opened the scoring in the first quarter when senior running back Fred Gilliam scored a touchdown on a 17-yard run with 11:35 to go in the opening period. Ty Neil added the extra point to give Samford an early 7-0 lead. The score capped a seven-play, 70-yard drive that took 3:25 off the clock.
Chattanooga (0-1) put its first points on the board when Patrick Shutters kicked a 32-yard field goal at the 4:02 mark to cut the Bulldogs' lead to 7-3.
After a Samford fumble on the ensuing kickoff, Chattanooga took over at the Samford 38-yard line. However, the Bulldogs' defense held the Mocs to a 49-yard field goal by Shutters with 1:54 left in the first quarter to make the score 7-6, Samford after the first period of play.
Samford increased its lead to 14-6 when junior quarterback Ray Nelson tossed a 10-yard touchdown pass to junior receiver Efrem Hill at the 10:25 mark in the second quarter. Neil added the point after to finish a three-play, 51-yard drive that took 1:01.
The Bulldogs' capped the first half scoring when Nelson ran the ball in from one yard out with 3:28 left in the first half. Neil kicked the extra point to send Samford to the locker room with a 21-6 advantage.
Chattanooga cut Samford's lead to 21-9 when Shutters kicked his third field goal of the game, a 33-yarder with 9:51 left in the third quarter.
The Mocs scored their first touchdown of the game on the first play of the fourth quarter when junior running back Kentrell Harris scored from three yards out with 14:57 to go in the final period. Shutter added the point after to make the score 21-16.
The Bulldogs took back the momentum when senior defensive back Russell Delk intercepted a pass by Matthew Lopez and returned it 13 yards for a touchdown with 11:04 to go in the fourth quarter. Neil added the extra point to increase Samford's lead to 28-16.
Samford pushed its lead to 31-16 when Neil booted a 22-yard field goal with 4:22 to go in the game. Chattanooga finished the scoring when Jason Jones scored on a two-yard run and Shutters added the point after to make the final score 31-23.
Nelson was 12-of-21 passing for 153 yards and a touchdown, while also gaining 44 yards on nine carries to lead the Bulldogs. Gilliam rushed 23 times for 80 yards and a touchdown, while Hill caught seven passes for 107 yards and a score.
For Chattanooga, Lopez hit 15-of-24 passes for 205 yards and two interceptions. Jones had 20 carries for 63 yards and a touchdown for the Mocs.
Samford will play its home opener next week, as the Bulldogs play host to the West Alabama Tigers on Thursday, September 4. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. at Seibert Stadium.
