BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford University football team wrapped up spring practice with its spring game Thursday evening at Pete Hanna Stadium. The defense came out on top, defeating the offense by a score of 34-20.
 
The game wraps up the first spring for new Samford head coach John Grass and his staff.
 
"I thought it was fantastic," Grass said of the spring game. "This was the first sprig game; we'll do this every year. The student body really showed up, our dance team and cheerleaders did a great job. Our fans showed up, it looked like a fall game, the crowd did. There was a lot of excitement, we kept it moving, we wanted it to be a fast-paced deal. We've had three really solid scrimmages to evaluate our guys, and tonight was just going out there and having fun and we did that."
 
The game consisted of four quarters, with the first quarter lasting 15 minutes, the second quarter 12 minutes, the third quarter 10 minutes and the fourth quarter eight minutes. Between quarters, contests were held involving fans.
 
The team utilized a unique scoring system for the scrimmage. The defense received points for turnovers (6 pts.), three-and-outs (3 pts.), turnovers on downs (3 pts.), forced punts (1 pt.) and defensive touchdowns (12 pts.). The offense used its standard scoring with six points for touchdowns and three points for field goals. They could kick a standard extra point for one point or run a play from the three-yard-line for two points or from the 10-yard-line for four points.
 
The defense produced four three-and-outs, one turnover on downs and one forced punt. The unit also grabbed three interceptions, two by Corrion Tyson and one by Lawson Estes.
 
On offense, quarterbacks Charlie Gilliams, Ryan Oliver, Coulter Cleland and James McGinn each saw time in the contest. McGinn tossed an 11-yard touchdown pass to Preston Bird, while Oliver scored on a 36-yard run. Gilliam led a pair of scoring drives that ended in field goals. Ty Ippolito kicked a 46-yard field goal and Jake Garner booted a 22-yard field goal.
 
The Bulldogs will open the 2026 season on Saturday, Aug. 29, when Samford will take on North Alabama in Huntsville, Alabama.


 
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