2008 Woodie Awards
Running game, big defensive plays carry Bulldogs to win
Matt Stamp
Issue date: 9/19/07 Section: Sports
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The Samford Bulldogs rushed 45 times for 282 yards against Presbyterian last Thursday night in a 34-24 win that was dominated by the running game.
Once again, neither wind nor driving rains could keep Pat Sullivan and the Bulldogs from pulling out another scrappy victory. Samford is 2-0 in the rain and 2-0 at home so far this season.
"It was good to win," Sullivan said after the game. "The way we won it was messy. We turned the ball over and gave them some chances to stay in it. It doesn't have to look pretty. As long as it's a win, that's all that matters."
There was no question that if the Bulldogs would most likely have to run the ball to get the victory. That didn't seem to be a problem for Chris Evans and the rest of the Samford running backs. Evans paced the running back core with 174 yards on 20 carries, including a 51-yard touchdown run that sealed the victory late in the fourth quarter.
"It feels great," Evans said about his rushing performance. "With the rain coming down like it did, we knew we would have to run the ball. My number was called and the offensive line did a great job at opening up the holes."
True freshman Alex Barnett added 83 yards on 18 carries and junior Marcus Rice finished with 7 carries for 32 yards to contribute to the running game.
The surging rushing attack was much needed after senior quarterback Jefferson Adcock aggravated his right shoulder late in the second half; he would eventually exit in the fourth quarter. He finished the game completing 7-24 passes, with one touchdown and one interception. His lone touchdown pass was a 23-yard strike to senior receiver Joe Jones, which gave Samford a go-ahead lead in the final play of the first quarter.
"I hope he gets well," said Jones. "He's a warrior and we need him. He's a tough guy; he'll be back."
The running game has played a key role for the Adcock-led offense so far this season. The Bulldogs are averaging 168.3 yards per game on the ground thru Thursday's game-compared to 99.5 yards per game in 2006.
Once again, neither wind nor driving rains could keep Pat Sullivan and the Bulldogs from pulling out another scrappy victory. Samford is 2-0 in the rain and 2-0 at home so far this season.
"It was good to win," Sullivan said after the game. "The way we won it was messy. We turned the ball over and gave them some chances to stay in it. It doesn't have to look pretty. As long as it's a win, that's all that matters."
There was no question that if the Bulldogs would most likely have to run the ball to get the victory. That didn't seem to be a problem for Chris Evans and the rest of the Samford running backs. Evans paced the running back core with 174 yards on 20 carries, including a 51-yard touchdown run that sealed the victory late in the fourth quarter.
"It feels great," Evans said about his rushing performance. "With the rain coming down like it did, we knew we would have to run the ball. My number was called and the offensive line did a great job at opening up the holes."
True freshman Alex Barnett added 83 yards on 18 carries and junior Marcus Rice finished with 7 carries for 32 yards to contribute to the running game.
The surging rushing attack was much needed after senior quarterback Jefferson Adcock aggravated his right shoulder late in the second half; he would eventually exit in the fourth quarter. He finished the game completing 7-24 passes, with one touchdown and one interception. His lone touchdown pass was a 23-yard strike to senior receiver Joe Jones, which gave Samford a go-ahead lead in the final play of the first quarter.
"I hope he gets well," said Jones. "He's a warrior and we need him. He's a tough guy; he'll be back."
The running game has played a key role for the Adcock-led offense so far this season. The Bulldogs are averaging 168.3 yards per game on the ground thru Thursday's game-compared to 99.5 yards per game in 2006.