Samford Topples Tennessee Tech In Thrilling Fashion

Saturday, September 17

Cookeville, Tenn.

6 PM

Samford University

2-1

Tennessee Tech

1-2

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
Samford	10	7	7	9	33
Tennessee Tech	14	7	0	7	28

Photo by: Chase Cochran|Samford Athletics

Samford Topples Tennessee Tech In Thrilling Fashion

9.18.22 | Football

Box Score

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – On a picturesque fall evening, the No. 24 Samford football team overcame an 11-point second-quarter deficit to stun the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles in a dramatic 33-28 victory.

Chandler Smith and Michael Hiers played hero on Saturday night connecting for three scores including a 26-yard third-down touchdown with 26 seconds left in the fourth quarter that put the Bulldogs out front for good.

Samford concludes non-conference play with a 2-1 record, while the Gold Eagles of Tennessee Tech drop to 1-2 on the year.

"Like we did week one, we kept playing. When you do that, good things happen to you," coach Chris Hatcher said. "We made plays down the stretch when we needed to. When you go on the road and you beat a team like Tennessee Tech, it feels good."

The Bulldogs offense put up 512 yards of total offense that included 98 yards on the ground from Jay Staton and 96 yards on 13 carries from Jaylan Thomas. Hiers orchestrated the comeback by completing 29-of-47 for 327 yards and four touchdowns.

On the defensive side of the ball, Nathan East led the Bulldogs with seven tackles and a first-quarter interception that the linebacker returned 13 yards to the Tennessee Tech 17-yard line. Zach Williams made two field goals on the night that included a critical 23-yarder in the fourth quarter.

Tennessee Tech took advantage of a Samford muffed punt in the early going of the first quarter to open the scoring and take a 7-0 advantage.

The Hiers-to-Smith connection scored its first touchdown of the evening at the 10:47 mark of the first to tie the game before Samford took the lead thanks to Williams connecting on 20-yard field goal to give the Bulldogs a 10-7 lead.

Tennessee Tech proceeded to build a 21-10 advantage before Hiers found Peyton Ringer in the end zone from 39-yards out to make it a 21-17 game heading into halftime.

Samford opened the scoring in the second half with a nine-play, 91-yard touchdown drive that was capped by Smith's second touchdown on the night to put the Bulldogs up 24-21. Williams tacked on a 23-yarder to make it 27-21 with 9:33 remaining in regulation.

The Golden Eagles marched down the field on the ensuing drive to score a touchdown and take a 28-27 lead with 2:43 left in the fourth quarter.

Hiers completed six passes on the game-winning drive that ended with Smith turning an out route on third and nine into a 26-yard touchdown with 25 ticks remaining on the clock.

After back-to-back road trips, Samford returns to Seibert Stadium on Saturday, September 24 to take on Western Carolina at 2 p.m. on Family Weekend to open Southern Conference play. Tickets can be purchased at SamfordTickets.com.

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