Oct. 23, 2004

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Samford senior quarterback Ray Nelson scored on a five-yard run in overtime to lift the Bulldogs to a 42-36 win at Tennessee State Saturday afternoon. The game was Samford's third overtime game of the season. The Bulldogs lost at Southeast Missouri, 51-48, in four overtimes, and at home to Eastern Kentucky, 39-36, in two overtimes.

"Praise the Lord for our guys hanging around and making plays at the end of the game," Samford head coach Bill Gray said. "We got deep into our lineup at certain positions, and they just hung in and did it when they needed to. I am so proud of our players, they never gave up."

For the game, Nelson completed 27-of-42 passes for 348 yards and two touchdowns. Nelson also rushed for 109 yards and three touchdowns on 25 carries. The game marks the third time this season that Nelson has rushed for over 100 yards and passed for over 200 yards. Efrem Hill caught seven passes for 99 yards and a touchdown.

"The win was a credit to our team," Nelson said. "Offensive line did a good job blocking and the receivers made some good plays. The defense played an excellent game and made some big plays at the end that helped us to win the game."

Charles Anthony set a Tennessee State (3-4, 1-2 OVC) record with 285 yards rushing on 35 carried. Anthony scored three touchdowns in the game.

Samford (3-5, 2-3 OVC) built a big lead in the first half, and led 34-14 at halftime. However, Tennessee State fought back to tie the game at 36-36 with 7:31 to go in the fourth quarter. With Samford leading, 36-28, Charles Anthony scored on a 25-yard run, and quarterback Riley Walker ran in the two-point conversion.

Tennessee State got the scoring started when Dominique Rodgers picked off a pass by Nelson and returned it 56 yards for the game's first points. Joey Hudak added the extra point to give Tennessee State a 7-0 lead with 11:40 to go in the first quarter.

Samford answered on its next drive to tie the game at 7-7. Philip Hyde scored on an eight-yard run with 8:41 remaining in the opening period. Shannon Fleming added the PAT for the Bulldogs.

On TSU's next possession, the Tigers drove inside the Samford five-yard line, but Calvin Hodge intercepted a pass at the one-yard line to stop the TSU threat. After Samford was held to a three-and-out, Tennessee State fumbled the ensuing punt and T.C. Myers recovered the fumble at the Tennessee State 30-yard line.

After the fumble, Samford scored on a seven-yard pass from Nelson to Hill with 3:52 to go in the first quarter. Fleming's PAT gave the Bulldogs a 14-7 lead.

On the first play of the second quarter, Nelson scored on a five-yard run. Fleming's extra point increased Samford's lead to 21-7 with 14:54 to go in the second quarter.

Nelson hit Josh Brennard on an 11-yard touchdown with 9:23 left before halftime. Fleming's PAT was blocked to make the score 27-7. The touchdown was set up by a 62-yard completion from Nelson to T.J. Tims earlier in the drive.

Nelson scored his second rushing touchdown, scoring on a 10-yard run with 3:20 to go in the second quarter. Fleming's extra point made the score 34-7.

Tennessee State's Anthony scored on a 10-yard run with 1:06 left before halftime. Hudak's extra point cut the Samford lead to 34-14.

In the third quarter, Anthony scored on a 38-yard run with 3:38 remaining in the quarter. The PAT cut the Samford lead to 34-21.

Tennessee State cut the Samford lead to 34-28 when Anthony scored on a 59-yard pass from Walker with 14:48 left in the fourth quarter.

Samford linebacker Steve Tennin sacked Walker with 10:33 left in the game to make the score 36-28.

Samford will return to action on Saturday, October 30, when the Bulldogs play host to the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles for Samford's 2004 Homecoming Game. The game is scheduled to kickoff at 2:00 p.m. at Seibert Stadium.