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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. –
The University of West Alabama dropped a hard-fought
23-21 decision to in-state foe Samford Thursday night to
open the 2007 campaign in front of 10,483 at Seibert
Stadium.
UWA was poised to put
the go-ahead points on the board on its final offensive
possession, but the Bulldogs of Samford held off the
Tigers on a fourth and seven attempt at the SU 48 yard
line with just over three minutes left to play.
Samford, a member of
the Ohio Valley Conference, jumped on the scoreboard in
just three plays on its opening drive. The Bulldogs
marched 62 yards which was capped off by Joe Jones’
25-yard
touchdown.
UWA got in the scoring
column on junior Cole Mason’s three-yard run with 5:45
remaining in the half. The Tigers took advantage of an
SU miscue after Josh Smyth recovered a fumbled punt
return at the Bulldog 20 yard line.
SU responded with an
eight play, 59 yard scoring drive to extend the lead to
20-7 with 2:53 remaining before the intermission, but
the Tigers scampered down the field 68 yards to end the
half with momentum after freshman Terry Allen punched it
in from one yard out.
The Bulldogs added a
37-yard field goal with 1:33 left in the third period
which would prove to be the game-winning points.
Senior quarterback
James Reiter connected with tight end Mo Araiinejad for
a 16-yard touchdown to trim the lead to 23-21 at the
10:40 mark in the final stanza. With his 55 total
yards, Reiter moved into fourth place on UWA’s total
offense list. He now has 3,935 total career yards.
The Tigers return home
on Saturday, Sept. 8, to face Concordia College at Tiger
Stadium. Kick off is slated for 7 p.m. |
