Nov. 20, 2004
Box Score
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -
The Samford University football team fell, 28-14, in its season-finale to Eastern Illinois Saturday afternoon at Seibert Stadium. The Bulldogs end the season with a record of 4-7 overall and 3-5 in the Ohio Valley Conference, while EIU is 5-6 overall and 4-4 in league play.
"It's a disappointing finish to our season," Samford head coach Bill Gray said. "But, our seniors have raised the standard, not only on the field, but off the field in the type of young men they are and the type of character they have."
For Samford in the game, senior quarterback Ray Nelson completed 20-of-35 passes for 204 yards. Ossie Buchannon was the Bulldogs' leading receiver, catching eight passes for 87 yards.
For Eastern Illinois, Vincent Webb rushed 34 times for 197 yards and a touchdown. Matt Schabert completed 21-of-25 passes for 217 yards and three touchdowns.
EIU got the scoring started when Webb scored on a three-yard run with 10:56 to go in the first quarter. Steve Kuehn added the extra point to make the score 7-0.
Samford came back to tie the game when Nelson ran in a two-yard touchdown with 4:43 left in the first quarter. Shannon Fleming kicked the PAT to tie the score at 7-7.
Schabert hit Ryan Voss on an 11-yard touchdown with 18 seconds to go in the opening period. Kuehn's PAT gave the Panthers a 14-7 lead.
Schabert connected with Voss again, this time on a 29-yard touchdown with 8:36 remaining in the second quarter. Kuehn's extra point was good, and EIU increased its lead to 21-7. The Panthers took the 21-7 lead into halftime.
Schabert threw his third touchdown pass to Jordan Campanella for 11 yards with 13:19 left in the game. The point-after by Kuehn was good, and EIU held a 28-7 lead.
Samford finished the scoring when back-up quarterback Parker Gargis connected with Freddy Young on a 10-yard score. Fleming's PAT was good to make the final score 28-14.
Saturday's game was the final game for 12 seniors on the Samford roster. The seniors were honored prior to the game.
