SPARTANBURG, S.C. –  A strong defensive performance by the Wofford College football team resulted in a 26-16 win over Samford on Saturday afternoon at Gibbs Stadium. The Terriers had two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, by Maximus Pulley in the first quarter. With a 14-10 lead at the half, Wofford added an interception returned for a touchdown by Eli Campbell in the third quarter. After holding the Bulldogs to a pair of field goals, a safety and a field goal for the Terriers closed out the win.
 
Wofford is 3-6 and 2-3 in the Southern Conference, while Samford is 1-8 overall and 1-6 in the league. Ihson Jackson-Anderson led the Terriers with 85 rushing yards and 35 receiving yards. The Bulldogs played two quarterbacks, with Quincy Crittendon going 19-of-25 for 219 yards. Calvin Jones had 126 receiving yards and a touchdown.
 
"Our defense played lights out," said coach Shawn Watson. "I've been doing this for 46 years, and that's probably the most dominant defensive performance I've ever been a part of. They ended up with four turnovers, two of which we returned for scores. I just can't say enough about the job they did. I thought up front they put a lot of pressure on the passer, which helped create those turnovers, and the guys in the back end were where they were supposed to be. It was really, a really great effort by that side of the ball. It's always gratifying to get a win. In the SoCon, we've got to protect our home turf - that's where it starts. And we did that today."
 
The Bulldogs had the ball first and after one first down, faced a fourth-and-two, which was converted with a 38-yard pass play. A two-yard touchdown pass gave Samford a 7-0 lead with 11:49 on the clock. After Wofford went three-and-out, Samford was picked off by Maximus Pulley on second down and he returned it 25 yards for the touchdown. With the game tied at 7-7, the Bulldogs were intercepted on the first play of the ensuing drive by Maximus Pulley and the Terriers took over at the 17-yard line. Following a first down courtesy of pass interference, Wofford took a 14-7 lead with a five-yard touchdown run by Gerald Modest Jr. with 8:50 on the clock.
 
"It really just started with practice Tuesday, then Wednesday, and then Thursday," said senior safety Maximus Pulley. "We knew their game plan. They were going to come out, throw the ball, tempo, a lot of screens, and it was just on us to execute. We were just tuned in, locked in."
 
Samford had a pair of first downs before punting, with the ball downed at the one-yard line. The Bulldogs intercepted the Terriers on third down and took over at the two-yard line. Wofford's defense held and the Bulldogs kicked a 23-yard field goal for a 14-10 game with 3:46 left in the opening quarter. Wofford had one first down before punting. Samford also went three-and-out and punted early in the second quarter. After the Terriers had a pair of first downs, they punted. The Bulldogs punted after a three-and-out, with Wofford taking over just across midfield. Facing fourth-and-two, the Terriers fumbled but recovered and turned it over on downs. Samford had a first down before Kade Moledor had his first interception in a Wofford uniform. The Terriers could not take advantage of the turnover and went three-and-out with 3:10 left in the first half.  
 
The Wofford defense forced a three-and-out, but a running into the punter penalty was enough for a first down. The Bulldogs punted with 1:15 on the clock and Wofford had a first down to move across midfield. The half ended with the Terriers holding a 14-10 advantage.
 
To begin the second half, Wofford went three-and-out and punted. A Samford pass was picked off by Eli Campbell, and he returned it 42 yards for a touchdown as the Terriers took a 21-10 lead with 12:46 on the clock in the third quarter. The Bulldogs answered with a 25-yard field goal on their next drive to cut the advantage to 21-13 at the 9:26 mark. After another three-and-out by Wofford, the Bulldogs gained three first downs and added a 30-yard field goal for a 21-16 score with 4:13 left in the third quarter. The Terriers had one first down before punting, with the ball downed at the two-yard line. A sack by Brandon Maina in the endzone resulted in a safety as Wofford extended the lead to 23-16 with a minute left in the quarter.
 
On the next drive by the Terriers, Ihson Jackson-Anderson had a 26-yard reception for a first down and he added a first down run. A 25-yard field goal by Sam Spence pushed the lead to 26-16 with 11:26 remaining in the game. Samford had a first down, but a sack on fourth-and-seven by Brandon Maina forced a turnover on downs. After a Wofford three-and-out, the Bulldogs had two first downs before punting. With the ball back, Ihson Jackson-Anderson had two rushing first downs before Wofford punted with 72 seconds remaining. Samford had a pair of first downs before the clock ran out.
 
Wofford had 191 total yards on offense, with 111 rushing yards. Samford had 351 total yards, with 332 of those passing yards. Wofford had ten first downs to 18 for the Bulldogs. Wofford was 4-of-16 on third down and 0-of-1 on fourth down. Samford was 6-of-20 on third down and 2-of-3 on fourth down. Wofford had 7 penalties for 75 yards, while Samford had four penalties for 47 yards. Wofford had a 31:46 to 28:14 time of possession advantage.
 
Wofford vs. Samford Post-Game Notes
This was the 25^th meeting of the two teams. The Bulldogs have a 16-7 lead in the series, but Wofford has won the last two meetings.
 
The Wofford defense was led by Kade Moledor and Jalen Rambert with 12 tackles each. The team tied a season-high with five sacks, including 2.5 by Brandon Maina.
 
Maximus Pulley had two interceptions in the first quarter. He has four career interceptions. It is the second time this season a player has had two interceptions in a game (Eli Campbell at Mercer).
 
Eli Campbell added an interception, which he returned for a touchdown in the third quarter. It was his third interception this season and sixth of his career. Kade Moledor had an interception in the second quarter.
 
The Wofford defense has returned four interceptions for a touchdown this season, the most in the nation.
 
The safety by Brandon Maina in the third quarter was his second this season (at South Carolina State).
 
Game captains were Quincy Hughes, Seth Foster, Brandon Maina, and Maximus Pulley.
 
Attendance at Gibbs Stadium was 4,985.    
 
Wofford will be on the road for the next two games – at VMI and at The Citadel – before returning home on Saturday, November 22, for the final home game of the season against Chattanooga.