Photo by: Chase Cochran|Samford Athletics
Samford Football Takes Care of Wofford, 28-14
10.8.22 | Football
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – On a breezy fall afternoon, the No.13 Samford football team dispatched the Wofford Terrier 28-14 in an all-dog Southern Conference matchup.
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With the win, Samford moves to 5-1 and 3-0 in SoCon play. The 5-1 start is the best start since 2016 when the Bulldogs opened the year 6-1. Samford's 3-0 record in conference play is the best since 2013's 4-0 mark. With the loss, Wofford falls to 0-6 and 0-3 on the campaign.
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"I was really concerned about how we would play," Hatcher said. "Fortunately, our defense played outstanding for the first three-quarters of the game and then offensively we were able to get some things going at the end of the half and into the third quarter, but a win is a win and we are very excited."Â
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Reigning SoCon Offensive Player of the Week, Jaylan Thomas rushed for 76 yards on 12 rushes and a 37-yard touchdown.
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Michael Hiers completed 31 passes to seven different Bulldog receivers for 251 yards and two scores. The quarterback also had his best rushing day as a Bulldog while lumbering for 27 yards on nine carries.Â
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The Samford receiving corps was led by Kendall Watson on Saturday as the graduate wideout hauled in 10 passes for 83 yards and a score. D.J Rias added 72 yards on four catches that included a 54-yard touchdown. Chandler Smith collected seven catches for 51 yards in the victory.Â
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On the defensive side of the ball, National Defensive Player of the Week Nathan East tallied six more tackles and a pass breakup on the day. Ty Hardimon also had six tackles and a pass breakup. Jamall Thompson emerged onto the scene with a destructive afternoon as the freshman totaled one and a half sacks.Â
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Running back Jay Stanton opened the scoring with a one-yard touchdown plunge in the first before Hiers found Watson from six yards out to make it 14-0 at halftime.Â
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The scoring in the second half got started when Hiers tossed up a pass to a streaking Rias for a 54-yard score on a third-and-long play.Â
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Thomas played the role of closer when he broke off a 37-yard touchdown run to put the game out of reach at 28-7 late in the third quarter.Â
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Wofford scored a late touchdown to make the final 28-14.Â
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The victory is Samford's eighth straight over Wofford and 10th win in the last 11 meetings.Â
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The Bulldogs have a bye week before hitting the road again on Oct. 22 to face ETSU.
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FOLLOWÂ THE BULLDOGS:
For the latest news and information on Samford football, visit the official website for Samford Athletics at SamfordSports.com. Fans can also follow the Bulldogs on social media at /SamfordFootball (Facebook), @SamfordFootball (Instagram) and @SamfordFootball (Twitter).Â
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With the win, Samford moves to 5-1 and 3-0 in SoCon play. The 5-1 start is the best start since 2016 when the Bulldogs opened the year 6-1. Samford's 3-0 record in conference play is the best since 2013's 4-0 mark. With the loss, Wofford falls to 0-6 and 0-3 on the campaign.
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"I was really concerned about how we would play," Hatcher said. "Fortunately, our defense played outstanding for the first three-quarters of the game and then offensively we were able to get some things going at the end of the half and into the third quarter, but a win is a win and we are very excited."Â
Â
Reigning SoCon Offensive Player of the Week, Jaylan Thomas rushed for 76 yards on 12 rushes and a 37-yard touchdown.
Â
Michael Hiers completed 31 passes to seven different Bulldog receivers for 251 yards and two scores. The quarterback also had his best rushing day as a Bulldog while lumbering for 27 yards on nine carries.Â
Â
The Samford receiving corps was led by Kendall Watson on Saturday as the graduate wideout hauled in 10 passes for 83 yards and a score. D.J Rias added 72 yards on four catches that included a 54-yard touchdown. Chandler Smith collected seven catches for 51 yards in the victory.Â
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On the defensive side of the ball, National Defensive Player of the Week Nathan East tallied six more tackles and a pass breakup on the day. Ty Hardimon also had six tackles and a pass breakup. Jamall Thompson emerged onto the scene with a destructive afternoon as the freshman totaled one and a half sacks.Â
Â
Running back Jay Stanton opened the scoring with a one-yard touchdown plunge in the first before Hiers found Watson from six yards out to make it 14-0 at halftime.Â
Â
The scoring in the second half got started when Hiers tossed up a pass to a streaking Rias for a 54-yard score on a third-and-long play.Â
Â
Thomas played the role of closer when he broke off a 37-yard touchdown run to put the game out of reach at 28-7 late in the third quarter.Â
Â
Wofford scored a late touchdown to make the final 28-14.Â
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The victory is Samford's eighth straight over Wofford and 10th win in the last 11 meetings.Â
Â
The Bulldogs have a bye week before hitting the road again on Oct. 22 to face ETSU.
Â
FOLLOWÂ THE BULLDOGS:
For the latest news and information on Samford football, visit the official website for Samford Athletics at SamfordSports.com. Fans can also follow the Bulldogs on social media at /SamfordFootball (Facebook), @SamfordFootball (Instagram) and @SamfordFootball (Twitter).Â
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Players Mentioned
Team Stats
WOF
SAM
Total Yards
220
423
Pass Yards
105
261
Rushing Yards
115
162
Penalty Yards
36
74
1st Downs
14
19
3rd Downs
5
13
4th Downs
2
0
TOP
33:12
26:48
1st Quarter

WOF 0, SAM 7
SAM - Jay Stanton 1 yd run (Zach Williams kick), 14 plays, 48 yards, TOP 3:38
2nd Quarter

WOF 0, SAM 14
SAM - Kendall Watson 6 yd pass from Michael Hiers (Zach Williams kick) 8 plays, 47 yards, TOP 1:25
3rd Quarter

WOF 0, SAM 21
SAM - D.J. Rias 54 yd pass from Michael Hiers (Zach Williams kick) 8 plays, 80 yards, TOP 3:12

WOF 7, SAM 21
WOF - Parsons, Kyle 24 yd run (Jones, Bridger kick), 6 plays, 75 yards, TOP 3:17

WOF 7, SAM 28
SAM - Jaylan Thomas 37 yd run (Zach Williams kick), 6 plays, 67 yards, TOP 2:35
4th Quarter

WOF 14, SAM 28
WOF - Parsons, Kyle 12 yd pass from Weirick, Jimmy (Jones, Bridger kick) 12 plays, 69 yards, TOP 4:50
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