BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Over the next several weeks, we at SamfordSports.com will take a look back at some of the biggest wins by Samford teams throughout the years in a series sponsored by America's First Federal Credit Union. Today, we will begin with one of the biggest wins in the modern era of the Samford football program.
On Nov. 30, 1991, the Bulldogs earned the program's first NCAA Division I FCS (then I-AA) Playoff win with an impressive 29-13 victory at New Hampshire. Samford had moved up to the FCS level in 1988 and had achieved some success, but had not broken through to earn a playoff bid until the 1991 season.
Samford took an early lead when Tank Edwards scored on a 10-yard run with 10:13 to go in the first quarter for a 7-0 Bulldog lead. New Hampshire, however, rattled off 13-straight points to close out the first half and the Wildcats took a 13-7 advantage into halftime. The Wildcats put a couple of Lance Hjelte field goals on the board, the second coming with 5:10 left in the half, to cut the score to 7-6. The Wildcats drove 98 yards in the 1:05 left and scored on a three-yard Matt Griffin-to-John Perry pass with 20 seconds left in the half.
Samford took the lead for good on its first drive of the third quarter. The Bulldogs drove 58 yards in 14 plays, and Edwards scored again from one-yard out for a 14-13 Samford advantage.
Brian Moore blocked a punt for a safety early in the fourth quarter to give Samford a 16-13 lead. Michael O'Neal then made a pair of clutch field goals. The second was a 44-yarder with 3:37 left, which made the score 22-13. After New Hampshire turned the ball over on downs, Donnie Rory scored on a five-yard run for the final margin of 29-13.
Edwards ran for 114 yards and scored two touchdowns, leading Samford's attack. New Hampshire tailback Barry Bourassa, who was leading the nation in all-purpose yardage, was held to 98 all-purpose yards. He had been averaging over 200 yards per game.
The following week, the Bulldogs earned a 24-21 win at James Madison to reach the national semifinals. In the semifinals, Samford dropped a tough, 10-0 decision at eventual national champion Youngstown State.
The 1991 Samford football team finished the season with a 12-2 record, setting the program record for wins in a season.
