Box Score PHOTO GALLERY
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.—The Samford offense rolled up 452 yards, and the Bulldog defense forced four turnovers in a 34-6 non-conference football victory over West Alabama Saturday night at Seibert Stadium.
 
“We started off playing really well in the first half,” Samford head coach Pat Sullivan said. “I was really worried about their football team. You have to love the way our guys kept hanging in there. I thought all phases of the game contributed to the win tonight, and I couldn't be more proud of our guys.”
 
Sullivan coached from the press box at Seibert Stadium as he continues to recover from a bout with pneumonia.
 
Samford was led offensively by Fabian Truss, rushing 16 times for 82 yards and two touchdowns. Jeremiaha Gates rushed 14 times for 50 yards and a touchdown. Andy Summerlin completed 21-of-27 passes for 190 yards and an interception. Chris Cephus had six receptions for 65 yards, while Kelsey Pope caught six passes for 54 yards.
 
Defensively for Samford, Jaquiski Tartt had two interceptions and a fumble recovery to go along with his five tackles. Alvin Hines II also had an interception and five tackles. Darion Sutton and Brandon Nettles shared the team lead in tackles with seven each. The Bulldog defense had a combined five sacks and nine tackles for a loss.
 
“Getting the turnovers like we were able to get is always big,” Sullivan said. “Jaquiski is really turning into some kind of a player, and it was good to see him do what he did tonight.”
 
West Alabama was led offensively by Kyle Caldwell, completing 16-of-29 passes for 207 yards and two interceptions. Marcus Brown caught five passes for 61 yards. Malcolm Butler led the Tigers' defense with 10 tackles and an interception.
 
Samford scored on its opening drive of the game. Truss scored on a two-yard run to put Samford ahead. Cameron Yaw added the extra point to give Samford a 7-0 lead with 10:30 to go in the first quarter.
 
West Alabama answered on its opening drive. Ryne Smith kicked a 22-yard field goal to cut the Samford lead to 7-3 with 4:04 left in the opening quarter.
 
The Bulldogs added to their lead on the ensuing drive. Truss scored his second two-yard touchdown of the game with 2:44 to go in the first quarter. Yaw's extra point pushed Samford's lead to 14-3.
 
Samford added another touchdown on a two-yard run by Gates, and Yaw's PAT gave Samford a 21-3 lead with 6:57 left in the second quarter. The drive was set up when Tartt recovered a UWA fumble on a punt return, giving Samford the ball at the Tigers' 35-yard line.
 
The Bulldogs scored one final touchdown before halftime, with Stanley Robinson scoring on an eight-yard run with 4:18 left before halftime. Yaw's PAT made the score 28-3. The drive was set up when Hines intercepted a Gary Johnston pass, giving Samford the ball at the 50-yard line.
 
West Alabama opened the scoring in the second half when Smith kicked a 25-yard field goal with 8:54 left in the third quarter to cut the Samford lead to 28-6. Yaw added two third-quarter field goals, one from 19-yards out and one from 20-yards out, to make the score 34-6.

Samford improves to 2-0 with the win, while West Alabama drops to 1-1.
 
Samford will play again on Saturday, Sept. 15, when the Bulldogs play at Gardner-Webb. The game is scheduled for a 2 p.m. (CT) start from Boiling Springs, N.C.