Bulldogs Use All-Around Performance To Down VMI, Earn Program’s 500th Win

Saturday, September 26

Birmingham, Ala.

2:30 PM

Samford University

1-3 , 1-1

VMI

0-5 , 0-1

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
VMI	0	0	7	0	7
Samford	14	14	14	3	45

Game Notes Final Game Book (PDF)

Bulldogs Use All-Around Performance To Down VMI, Earn Program’s 500th Win

9.26.26 | Football

Box Score Full Stat Book (PDF)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford football team used big plays on both sides of the ball to earn an impressive 45-7 win over VMI for the first win of the John Grass era and the 500^th win in program history.

"It's great to get a game ball, to get the first win for this team," Grass said. "It was very, very well deserved, they have worked so hard since January, harder than any group I've ever had. I just thought we had a great day. From the weather to the fans, it was Family Day and there were a lot of people in the stands, a packed house. What a great day to play well."

With the win, Samford improved to 1-3 overall and 1-1 in Southern Conference play. VMI fell to 0-5 overall and 0-1 in league play.

Samford quarterback Gabarri Johnson completed 22-of-26 passes for 222 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for a touchdown in the win. Marquise Henderson caught five passes for 63 yards and a touchdown. Preston Bird had four catches for 34 yards and a touchdown.

The Samford rushing attack was led by Emerson Russell with 10 rushes for 61 yards and a touchdown. Domonique Thomas had 11 rushes for 49 yards and a touchdown.

For the Samford defense, LaShon Young intercepted a pass he returned 45 yards for a touchdown. Noah Holton and Walker Turner had an interception each as well.

For VMI, Leo Boehling rushed 14 times for 74 yards and a touchdown. For the VMI defense, Robert Powell had nine tackles, including four solo stops.

Samford scored on the game's first drive as Young picked off a VMI pass and returned it 45 yards for a touchdown and Ty Ippolito added the extra point to give the Bulldogs a 7-0 lead with 13:36 to go in the first quarter. Russell scored on a 16-yard run and Ippolito added the PAT to push the Samford lead to 14-0 at the 1:44 mark in the first period.

Johnson hit Henderson for a 23-yard touchdown pass and Ippolito's extra point made the score 21-0 with 3:13 to go in the second quarter. With just 30 seconds left before halftime, Johnson found Bird for a 16-yard touchdown pass and Ippolito kicked through the PAT to send Samford to halftime with a 28-0 advantage.

Johnson added a rushing touchdown with a one-yard score to push the lead to 35-0 after Ippolito's PAT with 10:19 to go in the third quarter. Thomas scored on a 13-yard run and Ethan Fisher, in his first college action, added the PAT to make the score 42-0 at the 5:59 mark in the third period. VMI got on the scoreboard when Boehling scored on a five-yard run to cut the lead to 42-7 with 3:12 to go in the third quarter.

The lone score in the fourth quarter came when Ippolito booted a 26-yard field goal to make the score 45-7 with 7:58 to go in the game.

Next week, Samford will play at UAB on Saturday, Oct. 3. The game is set for a 2:30 p.m. start from Protective Stadium in downtown Birmingham.

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).