Box Score PHOTO GALLERY

ANDY SUMMERLIN INTERVIEW

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.—The Samford football team overcame an 11-point halftime deficit to earn a 44-34 Southern Conference win over 16^th-ranked Georgia Southern Saturday afternoon at Seibert Stadium.

"The biggest thing was the way we won," Samford head coach Pat Sullivan said. "I got on them at halftime. I told them they weren't playing the way they were supposed to be playing, and it was up to them. But, what they did today was a program thing. Everybody had each other's back."

Senior quarterback Andy Summerlin set a new school record with 495 passing yards. The total breaks the previous record of 478 yards, set by Summerlin just two weeks ago against Southeastern Louisiana. Summerlin completed 23-of-42 passes for his record-setting total. He threw three touchdown passes in the win as well.

"The key was the o-line giving me time and the receivers making plays with the ball in their hands," Summerlin said. "I can't take much credit for a slant that goes 80 yards. It was a great job by the receivers, great job up front by the o-line and the running backs picking up protections."

Senior wide receiver Kelsey Pope caught seven passes for a career-high 201 yards and a touchdown. Freshman Karel Hamilton caught two passes for 86 yards and a score. Senior running back Fabian Truss led the running game with 14 rushes for 125 yards and two touchdowns.

Defensively for Samford, Justin Shade had nine tackles, including one sack. James Bradberry had a key interception midway through the third quarter, keeping Georgia Southern out of the end zone when the Eagles were attempting to increase their 11-point advantage.

"I thought the turning point in the game was when James Bradberry intercepted their pass," Sullivan said. "He kept them out of the end zone, and that just picked everybody up."

On special teams, Greg Peranich averaged 44.8 yards on four punts. Warren Handrahan was good on all three of his field goal attempts, making kicks from 19, 21 and 30 yards out.

For Georgia Southern, Jerick McKinnon rushed 33 times for 181 yards and two touchdowns. Kevin Ellison was 7-of-7 passing for 140 yards and two touchdowns for the Eagles.

Samford struck first when Handrahan kicked a 19-yard field goal with 2:59 to go in the first quarter. The kick, which gave Samford a 3-0 lead, came off of a 10-play, 78-yard drive that took 2:58 off the clock.

The Bulldogs struck again when Summerlin hit Gavin Sinclair for a 74-yard touchdown with 27.1 seconds to go in the first quarter. The touchdown gave Samford a 10-0 lead.

Georgia Southern came back with a touchdown of its own. Ellison hit Tray Butler for a 24-yard touchdown with 10:25 to go in the second quarter. The score cut the Samford lead to 10-7. On GSU's next drive, Ellison connected with Butler for a 58-yard touchdown to give the Eagles a 14-10 lead with 5:06 to go in the second quarter.

Georgia Southern added to its lead when William Banks scored on a 15-yard run with 3:18 to play in the second quarter. The score gave the Eagles a 21-10 lead.

Samford cut Georgia Southern's lead to 21-13 when Handrahan kicked a 21-yard field goal with 6:59 left in the third quarter. The drive started at the Samford seven-yard line after Bradberry's interception. The score was set up by an 83-yard pass from Summerlin to Pope, giving Samford the ball at the GSU nine-yard line.

Samford struck again on its next drive when Truss scored on a nine-yard run. Samford's two-point conversion attempt failed, making the score 21-19 with 5:58 left in the third quarter. The scoring drive began after Samford's Jerry Mathis recovered a Georgia Southern fumble at the Eagles' 24-yard line.

The Bulldogs took the lead when Truss scored on a 19-yard run with 1:46 to go in the third quarter. Samford, again went for the two-point conversion, but the attempt was no good making the score 25-21. On Samford's next possession, however, GSU recovered a Samford fumble at the Bulldogs' 22-yard line. Georgia Southern scored on the drive on a 27-yard run by McKinnon with 11:35 to go in the game. The two-point attempt failed, making the score 27-25.

Samford answered to take the lead for good when Summerlin hit Hamilton for a 69-yard touchdown with 10:33 to go in the contest. Summerlin connected with D'Morrise Bledsoe on the two-point conversion to make the score 33-27. On Samford's next offensive drive, Summerlin connected with Pope for a 58-yard score, and Summerlin then hit Kelvin Clay on the two-point try to make the score 41-27.

Georgia Southern cut the lead in half when McKinnon scored on a three-yard run with 4:00 to go to make the score 41-34. Samford put the game away when Handrahan kicked a 30-yard field goal with 12 seconds to go to make the final score 44-34.

The Samford offense finished with 651 total yards, compared to 448 yards for Georgia Southern.

With the win, Samford improves to 4-2 overall and 2-0 in Southern Conference play. Georgia Southern falls to 3-2 overall and 1-2 in league play.

Samford will return to action on Saturday, Oct. 12, when the Bulldogs play at Appalachian State. The game is scheduled for a 2:30 p.m. (CT) start from Boone, N.C.