Bulldogs Drop SoCon Opener at Tennessee Tech

Saturday, September 12

Cookeville, Tenn.

6 PM

Samford University

0-3 , 0-1

Tennessee Tech

3-0 , 1-0

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
Samford	3	6	10	0	19
Tennessee Tech	14	17	14	0	45

Game Notes Final Game Book (PDF)

9.12.26 | Football

Box Score

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. - The Samford football team opened Southern Conference play tonight as they hit the road to face Tennessee Tech. The Bulldogs fell behind early, and the deficit was too much to overcome as they fell 45-19. Samford's record moves to 0-3 overall and 0-1 in SoCon play with the defeat tonight.

The Bulldogs fell behind 14-0 halfway through the first quarter after allowing two explosive scoring plays, one through the air for 48 yards and the other on the ground for 56 yards. The Dogs were able to reply with a drive of their own and got on the board as Ty Ippolito connected on a 54-yard field.

The lead grew for the home side in the second quarter, as they outscored Samford 17-6 in the next 15 minutes of play. The Bulldogs were outgained 323-121 in the first half and trailed on the scoreboard 31-9. Ippolito added on two more field goals, including a school record 57-yarder as the first half expired.

The offense picked up in the second half for Samford, as they came out of the half with increased tempo and with an emphasized passing attack. Starting quarterback Gabarri Johnson finished 23-49 through the air for 245 yards, but the Dogs sputtered in the red zone multiple times in the second half.

Once again, the running game was a struggle for the Bulldogs as they finished the game with 39 yards on 25 carries for the night. Cayden Aukerman continued his strong play out wide as he finished with a team-high 73 yards while Marquise Henderson and Preston Bird added 67 and 63 yards, respectively.

Defensively, Spencer Conn and LaShon Young led the way with six tackles each, but Samford was outgained 409-320 as TTU scored on offense, defense, and special teams on the night as they came away with a 45-19 win.

The Bulldogs return home for their off week, and look to get back to .500 in SoCon play when they host VMI on Sept. 26 at Pete Hanna Stadium.

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