BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The VMI Football Team opened its 2024 Southern Conference slate at Samford on Saturday, drawing first blood with a 60-yard drive that resulted in a field goal, but two quick scores from the Bulldogs would flip the contest as Samford ultimately took the game 27-3.
The Keydets, who fall to 0-5, 0-1 in the SoCon, have another road contest ahead, visiting Wofford next weekend with kickoff scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Samford, meanwhile, improves to 2-2 and 1-0 in the SoCon.
"Obviously we are disappointed," said Head Coach Danny Rocco. "But I think we did improve today. I thought we competed harder, played with more passion, and if we continue to build on that, we're looking forward to competing next week down at Wofford."
Key Stats
- Samford outgains VMI 312-129; Quincy Crittendon goes 26-of-30 with 196 yards and three touchdowns
- Hunter Rice totals 58 yards on the ground, Ivan Thorpe has 35 yards receiving on three catches
- Brady Hammonds goes 14-for-28 with an interception
- Kouri Crump has a career-high 12.0 tackles including 2.0 tackles for loss
- Shamus Jones, Stephen Dean III each total 7.0 stops
Rocco's Remarks
On Samford's Fast Start
"We came out to start the game and executed our offensive gameplan well. We were efficient…I think the thing that got us is they changed their personnel. They usually play 11 personnel, but they started with four receivers playing really fast and it took us two series to settle into the tempo and spread formations that they were not in much prior to today."
Reflecting on the Game
"The game had a different feel than some of the more recent ones. I even felt in the third quarter we had the ball with a chance to get us right back in the game."
A Closer Look
First Half
The Keydets would open the game with a 16-play, 60-yard drive that took 8:23 off the clock and resulted in a Caden Beck 33-yard field goal to give VMI the lead.
The hurry-up offense of Samford would strike quickly, scoring two touchdowns in five minutes of possession to take a 14-3 advantage. The Keydet defense settled in, conceding just a field goal as the teams went into the half (17-3 Samford).
Second Half
The VMI defense did well in the second, holding Samford to a missed field goal and forcing a three-and-out early. Crittendon and Mason would eventually connect again, improving the lead to 24-3 late in the third. The Keydets would keep up its solid play on the defensive side of the ball in the fourth, holding Samford to just a field goal, but the offense couldn't quite get in rhythm as Samford takes the contest 27-3.
