Chandler Smith's 71-yard punt return highlights Samford's 27-17 win over UT Martin
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- — Jay Stanton had 193 yards rushing and a touchdown, Chandler Smith added a 26-yard touchdown grab and a 71-yard punt return for a score less than 80 seconds apart, and Samford beat UT Martin 27-17 on Saturday.
The teams combined for 27 points in the first quarter. Smith's touchdown catch capped a three-play, 52-yard drive with 1:17 left in the quarter and he ended the frame with a long punt return for a 17-10 lead.
Stanton's 61-yard touchdown was the lone score in the third quarter and Wilson Beaverstock made a 40-yard field goal for a 17-point lead early in the fourth.
Samford (6-5) won five of its last seven games.
UT Martin (8-3) was coming off a historic victory to secure the program's third consecutive conference championship with a share of the inaugural Big South-OVC Association title. The Skyhawks finished the regular season tied atop the standings with Gardner-Webb, which beat Charleston Southern 34-10 on Saturday for its fifth straight victory — including a 38-34 victory over UT Martin on Oct. 28.
Michael Hiers threw for 205 yards — with eight receptions, 86 yards and a touchdown going to Smith — for Samford.
Jamari Cannon and Kamron Smith each intercepted a Kinkead Dent pass.
Dent finished 23 of 38 for 261 yards with one touchdown. Sam Franklin carried it 25 times for 160 yards and a touchdown for UT Martin (8-3).
------ Get alerts on the latest AP Top 25 poll throughout the season. Sign up here ------ AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
Game Information
2023 Big South-OVC Association Standings
Team | CONF | OVR |
---|---|---|
Gardner-Webb | 5-1 | 7-5 |
UT Martin | 5-1 | 8-3 |
Eastern Illinois | 4-2 | 8-3 |
Bryant | 4-2 | 6-5 |
Southeast Missouri State | 3-3 | 4-7 |
Tennessee Tech | 2-4 | 4-7 |
Robert Morris | 2-4 | 4-7 |
Charleston Southern | 2-4 | 4-7 |
Tennessee State | 2-4 | 6-5 |
Lindenwood | 1-5 | 3-7 |
2023 Southern Conference Standings
Team | CONF | OVR |
---|---|---|
Furman | 7-1 | 10-3 |
Chattanooga | 6-2 | 8-5 |
Mercer | 6-2 | 9-4 |
Western Carolina | 5-3 | 7-4 |
Samford | 4-4 | 6-5 |
VMI | 4-4 | 5-6 |
East Tennessee State | 2-6 | 3-8 |
Wofford | 2-6 | 2-9 |
The Citadel | 0-8 | 0-11 |