BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Tennessee Tech scored in all three phases of the game as the Golden Eagle football team defeated Samford, 27-7, Saturday afternoon at Pete Hanna Stadium.
 
"This was a very disappointing day," Samford head coach Chris Hatcher said. "Defensively, we continue to play well. I thought it would come down to a one-possession game with the way the first half went. And then we had two costly turnovers and a blocked punt. And then we showed a little life on offense, we had a nice drive to score. But again, it goes back to inconsistencies in our special teams and on the offensive side of the ball. It was just a very disappointing game."
 
Samford fell to 3-6 with the loss. Tennessee Tech improved its record to 5-5 with the victory.
 
Samford quarterback Quincy Crittendon completed 22-of-32 passes for 165 yards, one touchdown and one interception. D.J. Rias caught four passes for 78 yards and a touchdown. Noah Martin led the Samford defense with nine tackles.
 
For Tennessee Tech, Tremel Jones, Jordan Yates and Aidan Littles all had rushing touchdowns. Quarterback Dylan Laible completed 13-of-26 passes for 123 yards. Tim Coutras led the defense with seven tackles, all solo.
 
The teams played through a scoreless first half. Both teams attempted field goals, but both were missed. Tennessee Tech had just 108 yards of offense in the first half, while Samford had 44 yards of first-half offense.
 
Neither team was able to score on their opening drive of the third quarter, but on Samford's drive, Tennessee Tech's Jalin Shepherd intercepted a Samford pass, giving the Golden Eagles the ball at the Samford 27-yard line. On the next play, Littles scored on a 27-yard run to give Tennessee Tech a 7-0 lead with 7:50 to go in the third period.
 
Tennessee Tech's Miles Cooney blocked a Samford punt and Torin Baker returned it 31 yards for a touchdown. The extra point hit the upright, making the score 13-0 with 5:48 left in the third quarter. Later in the quarter a Samford fumble gave Tennessee Tech the ball at the Samford 20-yard line. Two plays later, Yates scored on a one-yard run to make the score 20-0 with 4:25 to go in the third period.
 
Samford got on the scoreboard when Crittendon hit Rias for a 20-yard touchdown pass to cut the lead to 20-7 with 13:37 left in the game. On the ensuing Tennessee Tech drive, Jones scored on a 57-yard run to push the lead to 27-7 with 13:07 left.
 
Samford will next play at Chattanooga on Saturday, Nov. 16. The game is set for a 12:30 p.m. (CT) start from Chattanooga, Tenn.




 
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