Oct. 15, 2005

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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Samford's Cortland Finnegan returned a punt 75 yards for a touchdown with 22 seconds left in the third quarter to put the Bulldogs up for good as Samford defeated Murray State, 27-23, Saturday afternoon at Seibert Stadium.

"We needed a win and we needed to do some things," Samford head coach Bill Gray said. "It was just a total team effort and something we are very proud of."

Finnegan also led all tacklers with 13, including five solo stops. Samford's Justin Ray rushed 15 times for 61 yards. Jefferson Adcock completed 10-of-19 passes for 114 yards and a touchdown.

For Murray State, Chad Cook rushed 30 times for 145 yards. Ken Topps completed 13-of-24 passes for 180 yards and a touchdown.

Samford (3-4, 2-2 OVC) got on the board first when Shannon Fleming kicked a 44-yard field goal with 12:58 to go in the first quarter to give the Bulldogs a 3-0 lead. Murray State (1-5, 0-3 OVC) answered on its first drive, striking for a touchdown when Matt Webber scored on a one-yard run with 7:08 to go in the first quarter. The run was Webber's first career carry. The PAT was added by Gary Crass to give the Racers a 7-3 lead.

Samford retook the lead with 5:14 to go in the first quarter when Adcock hit Josh Brennard for a 21-yard score. Fleming's PAT gave the Bulldogs a 10-7 lead. Samford added to its lead when Quinton Smith returned a Murray State fumble 44 yards for a touchdown with 3:38 to go in the first quarter. Fleming added the extra point to make the score 17-7. The score was Smith's first collegiate touchdown.

Murray State struck again when Topps connected with Daniel Rumley for an 11-yard touchdown with 13:32 to go before halftime. The PAT cut Samford's lead to 17-14. The Racers tied the game when Crass kicked a 27-yard field goal with 4:00 to go in the second quarter to make the score 17-17. The teams headed to halftime tied at 17-17.

Murray State took the lead on its first drive of the second half when Crass kicked a 28-yard field goal with 11:36 to go in the third quarter to take a 20-17 lead. Crass kicked his third field goal of the game, this time from 36 yards out, with 6:55 to go in the third quarter to increase the Racers' lead to 23-17.

Fleming then kicked a 32-yard field goal with 2:35 to go in the third quarter to cut MSU's lead to 23-20. Samford then took the lead on Finnegan's return.

Samford will return to action on Saturday, October 22, when the Bulldogs play at Tennessee-Martin. The game is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. in Martin, Tenn.