Box Score Game Box (pdf)
Inside Wofford Football
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – On a sunny Saturday afternoon, the Wofford football team was defeated 34-27 by Samford at Gibbs Stadium. The Terriers took advantage of four turnovers and tied the game early in the fourth quarter, but the Bulldogs scored the next ten points to secure the victory.
The Terriers move to 5-3 and 4-1 in the Southern Conference. Samford is 6-2 overall and 4-0 in the SoCon. Wofford was led by Donovan Johnson with 151 rushing yards on 33 carries, while Evan Jacks played the whole game at quarterback and was 7-of-13 passing along with 22 rushing yards. Three Terriers had interceptions on the day, including one returned for a touchdown by Alvin Scioneaux. The Bulldogs were led by Andy Summerlin who was 26-of-35 passing with two touchdowns and D’Morrise Bledsoe with 65 rushing yards and a touchdown.
“The kids worked their tails off and competed,” said head coach Mike Ayers. “It was a very physical football game. We have three games left after the open date, which is good to get some guys back. The biggest thing and the most positive thing for me coming out of this game is that we learned a good bit about our offense and what it can be if we let it be. I really think we are going to improve. Each of the next three games is going to be hard. There are no easy ones. I believe these guys will hang in there, keep battling, and at the end of the day I don’t know if Samford is going to be beaten. If they don’t, we can’t control that, but what we can control is the next three games with our effort, our attitude, our intensity, and our work ethic.”
The Terriers had the ball first and went three-and-out and punted. On the first play from scrimmage for Samford, Alvin Scioneaux intercepted Andy Summerlin and returned it 33 yards for a touchdown. On the next drive for Samford, the team gained three first downs before Alvin Scioneaux forced a fumble after a completed pass and it was recovered by Chris Armfield.
Wofford gained two rushing first downs, but failed to convert a fourth-and-one and the Bulldogs took over at the 43-yard line. After gaining a first down, Samford scored on a halfback pass from Jeremiaha Gates to Chris Cephus for a 7-7 score with 3:33 left in the first quarter. Wofford was forced to punt after a three-and-out. Fabian Truss returned the punt 52 yards to the 20-yard line. Chris Cephus caught a 14-tard touchdown pass from Andy Summerlin for a 14-7 lead with 24 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
On the next drive for Wofford, the team went three-and-out and punted. Samford moved the ball across midfield, but Andy Summerlin was intercepted by Chris Armfield at the 39-yard line. After three first downs, a Will Gay touchdown run was called back due to a holding call and the Terriers settled for a 27-yard field goal by Kasey Redfern. The score was 14-10 with 6:53 left in the second quarter.
After trading punts, Samford took over with 2:44 left in the first half. They gained four passing first downs before scoring on a one-yard touchdown run by D’Morrise Bledsoe with 24 seconds remaining for a 21-10 lead. Wofford ran two plays before the half ended.
Samford opened the second half with the ball, but Andy Summerlin was intercepted by Bernard Williams at the 45-yard line. Wofford converted a fourth-and-two from the three yard line by the nose of the football. Ray Smith took it in from one-yard out for a 21-17 score at 10:32 in the third quarter. The Bulldogs drove down the field, but were stopped inside the five-yard line and added to the lead with a 21-yard field goal for a 24-17 score.
Wofford moved the ball down field, including a first down on a pass interference call. A fourth-and-one was converted by Donovan Johnson. With the ball inside the five, the Terriers fumbled but offensive lineman Tymeco Gregory was there to pick up the ball and he ran it in for the 2-yard touchdown. The score was tied at 24-24 with 14:52 left in the fourth quarter. Samford had several big pass plays and took a 27-24 lead on a 38-yard field goal with 11:12 on the clock.
The Terriers had one first down, but failed on fourth-and-one and Samford took over at the 45-yard line. After two first downs, Andy Summerlin found Jauan Davis for a 26-yard touchdown reception and the Bulldogs had a 34-24 lead at 5:53 in the fourth. Wofford converted a fourth-and-two with a 24-yard pass to Michael Harpe, but had to kick a 30-yard field goal with 3:13 left in the game.
The onside kick attempt was recovered by the Bulldogs. The Wofford defense forced a three-and-out and Samford punted with 2:45 on the clock. The Terriers picked up two first downs and had the ball at the 48-yard line, but the final three pass plays were incomplete and Samford took over on downs with 53 seconds remaining to win the game.
Wofford had 340 total yards, with 258 on the ground. Samford had 407 total yards, 274 of which were passing. Wofford had 19 first downs, while Samford had 22. Wofford was 7-of-19 on third downs and 3-of-6 on fourth downs. Samford was 8-of-14 on third down. Both teams had four penalties. Wofford had a 32:53 to 27:07 time of possession advantage.
Wofford vs. Samford Post-Game Notes
Alvin Scioneaux recorded his fourth career interception in the first quarter. It was his first interception returned for a touchdown. He left the game in the second quarter due to a hip injury.
Chris Armfield recorded his second career interception in the second quarter.
Donovan Johnson returned to the field after missing last week’s game and ran for a season-high 151 yards. It was his fourth 100+ yard rushing game of the season and ninth of his career.
Samford has won the last two games against Wofford and have a 7-4 lead in the series.
Evan Jacks made his second career start. It was the first game this season Wofford has played only one quarterback in the game.
Game captains were Kasey Redfern, Paul Inclan, and Qay Bell.
Attendance was 7,936 at Gibbs Stadium.
