Oct. 11, 2008

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Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford football team dropped a 35-24 decision to second-ranked and three-time defending national champion Appalachian State Saturday night at Seibert Stadium. The game was played in front of 10,670 fans, the third-largest crowd in the history of Seibert Stadium. The game was also Samford's first-ever home Southern Conference game.

"I am proud of our guys," Samford head coach Pat Sullivan said. "Appalachian State is a very good football team. Now, we just have to regroup and get ready for the next one. I appreciate our crowd and the support they showed."

Samford's Chris Evans rushed for 144 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries. Evans, the Southern Conference's leading rusher, has now gone over 100 yards for three-straight games for the first time in his career. Evans also caught six passes for 48 yards in the game.

Samford freshman quarterback Dustin Taliaferro completed 18-of-30 passes for 166 yards. Taliaferro also had two rushing touchdowns in the game. Riley Hawkins caught seven passes for 59 yards to lead Samford's receivers.

For Appalachian State, Armanti Edwards completed 22-of-29 passes for 307 yards and three touchdowns. Edwards also rushed for 63 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries. CoCo Hillary caught six passes for 78 yards and two touchdowns.

Samford struck first when Taliaferro scored on a one-yard quarterback sneak with 8:44 to play in the first quarter. John Paul Fraites added the extra point to give Samford a 7-0 lead. The play capped a 13-play, 56-yard drive that took 5:36 off the clock.

Appalachian State answered on the next drive when Edwards hit Tavaris Washington for a 44-yard touchdown with 6:15 to play in the first quarter. Jason Vitaris added the PAT to tie the score at 7-7.

Samford came back to retake the lead with 12 seconds to go in the first quarter. Evans scored on a three-yard run and Fraites added the PAT to give Samford a 14-7 lead. ASU then fumbled the ensuing kickoff and the Samford's Cody Crowell recovered at the ASU 24-yard line. Fraites attempted a 32-yard field goal, but ASU's Cortez Gilbert blocked the attempt and the score remained 14-7.

The Mountaineers tied the game again when Robert Welton scored on an eight-yard touchdown run with 10:11 left in the second quarter. Vitaris added the PAT to make the score 14-14.

ASU took the lead for good with 4:55 to go in the second quarter when Edwards hit Hillary for a 50-yard touchdown, and Vitaris added the PAT to give the Mountaineers a 21-14 lead. Edwards then hit Hillary on an 11-yard touchdown with 28 seconds to go in the second quarter, and ASU took a 28-14 lead into halftime.

Samford's Fraites kicked a 22-yard field goal with 5:30 to go in the third quarter to cut the ASU lead to 28-17. Edwards scored on a 25-yard run with 11:57 to go in the game to push the ASU lead to 35-17.

Samford cut the ASU lead to 35-24 when Taliaferro scored on a quarterback sneak with 2:02 to go for the game's final score.

With the loss, Samford drops to 3-3 overall and 1-2 in Southern Conference play. Appalachian State improves to 4-2 overall and 2-0 in SoCon play with the win.

Samford will take next week off from competition before playing host to The Citadel on Oct. 25 for Samford's 2008 Homecoming game.