Fourth quarter comeback gives Samford win over No. 8 Kennesaw State

It was a back-and-forth battle during Thursday's season opener between No. 8 Kennesaw State and Samford. But under their home lights, the Bulldogs made just enough plays in the final quarter to erase a deficit and come away with an upset win to start the season.

Samford scored the game's final 13 points which included a pair of touchdown passes from Michael Hiers to Chandler Smith in the fourth quarter, giving the hosts a 27-17 victory. The win pushed Samford to 6-0 in season openers at home since Chris Hatcher became head coach.

"All around, we just kept playing and never panicked," Hatcher said. "All in all, Our guys just believed. It was just a complete team win over a really good football team and we are excited to get this one under our belts."

The Bulldogs (1-0) fell behind early in the game when Kennesaw State used its option attack to drive 80 yards in just eight plays, capped off by a touchdown run from Presto Daniels. The visitors would stay in the lead for the rest of the opening quarter but Samford began to keep the Owls' rushing attack under control.

Samford leveled the score with just over nine minutes to go in the half when Hiers connected with Kendall Watson for a 28-yard touchdown pass. After forcing a quick punt from Kennesaw State, Hiers and Watson connected again to give Samford the lead heading into halftime.

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Kennesaw State (0-1) stuck with its gameplan out of the break and responded well, scoring the next 10 points to regain the lead after three quarters. But two long drives from the Bulldogs ended up being the difference in the game.

Samford's first drive of the fourth quarter started on its own 7-yard line but it took just eight plays and just over two minutes for the Bulldogs to take it into the end zone. Hiers found Smith with a 15-yard pass to put the Bulldogs ahead with 12:40 still remaining on the clock.

On the hosts' following offensive drive, the Bulldogs ran off three more minutes of the clock and capped a 77-yard drive with another touchdown pass to Smith, putting the lead at two possessions with just over five minutes to go in the game.

Kennesaw State continued to fight and got inside the 10 on its next drive but it ended when Kourtlan Marsh intercepted a pass in the end zone to seal the victory for Samford.

The Bulldogs finished the night with 402 yards of offense. Hiers completed 18-of-24 passes for 289 yards and four touchdowns. Watson led the receiving corps with 187 yards and his two scores on nine receptions.

Samford held Kennesaw State to 193 yards on the ground, which was just 3.1 yards per carry.

Next week, Samford will travel to Athens to face the defending FBS champion Georgia Bulldogs.