Wofford Falls to Samford in Low-Scoring Finale
The Terriers held a nine-point lead into the fourth quarter before a late touchdown and a field goal as time expired gave Samford a 10-9 victory.
By Olivia Miller ·
Wofford College football lost its chance to extend its winning streak on Saturday night at Pete Hanna Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama. The Terriers, who led 9-0 entering the final quarter, fell 10-9 to Samford University. The defeat leaves Wofford with a 5-4 record overall and a 3-3 mark in the Southern Conference. Samford improved to 3-6 overall and remains 3-3 in conference play.
The game featured a stark contrast in offensive styles. Wofford relied heavily on the ground game, accumulating 227 rushing yards. Samford’s offense was more balanced, totaling 310 yards with 219 coming through the air. The Terriers controlled the clock for 38 minutes and 28 seconds, compared to 21 minutes and 32 seconds for the Bulldogs. Despite holding the ball longer and gaining 386 total offensive yards, Wofford struggled to convert drives into touchdowns, managing only three field goals.
Gerald Modest Jr. carried the ball 38 times for Wofford, gaining 197 yards. It was his fourth 100-yard rushing game of the season and his fourth of his career, bringing his total for the year to 929 yards. For Samford, quarterback Gabarri Johnson completed 19 of 32 passes for 219 yards. The game’s turning point came with 6:56 left in the fourth quarter when Ken Cherry ran the ball 41 yards for a touchdown, cutting the deficit to 9-7. A 44-yard field goal by Samford as time expired sealed the win.
Head coach Shawn Watson expressed frustration with the team's execution in critical areas. He noted that while the defense played well and the running game was dominant, the offense failed to maximize opportunities in the red zone. Watson said the team would review how they handled those chances, emphasizing that leaving points on the field was a factor in the loss. He praised the players' effort and heart despite the result.
The contest marked the 24th meeting between the two programs, with Samford now leading the series 17-7. This matchup also represented a rare occurrence for Wofford, which has played only eight games on Halloween since resuming play in 1946. The Terriers have a 3-5 record in those specific contests. Attendance at Pete Hanna Stadium was 3,073.
Wofford travels to Western Carolina next week for its next contest. The team returns home on Saturday, November 14, to face East Tennessee State.
