FARGO, N.D. – The sixth-seeded Samford football team's historic 2022 season came to an end with a 27-9 loss at third-seeded North Dakota State in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division I-FCS Playoffs Friday evening at the Gate City Bank Field at the Fargodome.
 
With the loss, Samford ends its season with a mark of 11-2. The 11 wins are the second most in a season in program history behind only the 12 wins earned by the 1991 team. The Bulldogs' 10 regular season wins tied the 1991 squad for the most regular season wins in program history. The team went 8-0 in Southern Conference play, the most league wins in a season, the first outright SoCon championship in program history and the first outright championship in any conference since 1936.

"We've had a great season that can't be taken away from our football team," Samford head coach Chris Hatcher said. "After having two subpar years leading into this one we had a great ride. Unfortunately it ended today. We played a great football team, they are extremely well coached, a very physical team."
 
North Dakota State improves to 11-2 and advances to next week's semifinal round where the Bison will take on the winner of Friday night's late game between Sacramento State and Incarnate Word.
 
For Samford in the loss, Michael Hiers, playing just the second half, completed 22-of-30 passes for 227 yards and one touchdown. His touchdown pass gives him 36 for the season, tying the school record set by Devlin Hodges in 2016. Quincy Crittendon started the game for the injured Hiers and played the entire first half, completing 8-of-17 passes for 52 yards.
 
Chandler Smith caught six passes for 120 yards and a touchdown, while Kendall Watson had eight grabs for 73 yards. Defensively for Samford, Nathan East and Emmanuel Flowers had nine tackles each. Isaiah Richardson forced a fumble and recovered it for the Bulldogs as well.
 
For North Dakota State, Cam Miller completed 15-of-18 passes for 194 yards and a touchdown. Courtney Eubanks led the NDSU defense with 10 tackles, while Dawson Weber had an interception.
 
The teams played through a scoreless first quarter. Samford had the biggest scoring threat of the period when the Bulldogs drove to the North Dakota State eight-yard-line, but NDSU's Spender Waege blocked Zach Williams' field goal attempt, ending the threat with 1:44 left in the first quarter.
 
On the ensuing NDSU drive, the Bison drove to the Samford 35-yard line, but the Bulldogs stopped NDSU on a 4^th-and-2 play, giving the ball back to Samford. The Bulldogs then drove to the NDSU 31-yard line, but the Bulldogs were stopped on a 4^th-and-3 play, keeping the game scoreless with 8:53 left in the second period.
 
The Bison then drove 69 yard in 12 plays, with quarterback Miller hitting tight end Joe Stoffel for a two-yard touchdown pass to give NDSU a 7-0 lead with 1:25 left in the second quarter. On the final play of the second quarter, NDSU's Griffin Crosa kicked a 44-yard field goal to give the Bison a 10-0 lead heading into the locker room at halftime.
 
On the opening drive of the third quarter, North Dakota State marched 82 yards on seven plays, with T.K. Marshall scoring on a seven-yard run to give the Bison a 17-0 lead with 10:57 left in the period. Miller scored on a one yard run to push the lead to 24-0 with 2:02 left in the third quarter.
 
Samford got on the scoreboard when Williams kicked a 28-yard field goal to make the score 24-3 with 12:08 to go in the fourth quarter. NDSU's Crosa kicked a 22-yard field goal to push the lead to 27-3 with 6:04 to go in the game. Samford's Hiers hit Smith for a 40-yard touchdown pass and the two-point conversion failed, making the score 27-9 with 3:53 left in the contest. On the final drive of the game, Samford drove to the NDSU four-yard-line, but was unable to score, ending the game in a 27-9 North Dakota State win.


 
FOLLOW 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).