Draft Scout Samford Player News, College Football: Samford

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Draft Scout College Football Player News: Samford

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10/29/22 - Michael Hiers, rSr/2024, Samford + More +

Michael Hiers threw for 260 yards and three touchdowns and Samford rolled past The Citadel 38-3 on Saturday. Samford (7-1, 5-0 Southern Conference), ranked 13th in the FCS coaches poll, built a 21-3 halftime lead on two Hiers touchdown passes and a 1-yard run by Jaylan Thomas. After Hiers' third TD pass in the third quarter, Trey Elston capped the scoring with a 53-yard fumble return in the fourth. Freshman Johnny Crawford III had 86 yards rushing among The Citadel's 255 yards on the ground, but the Bulldogs (2-6, 2-4) attempted only 13 passes, completing four for 38 yards. Jay Stanton led Samford with 78 rushing yards on 15 carries and Kendall Watson caught 10 passes for 113 yards. - AP College Football

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QB Michael Hiers, Samford
News Source: AP College Football
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10/26/22 - Michael Hiers, rSr/2024, Samford + More +

OCT 24 SOCON OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Michael Hiers, Jr., QB, Samford, Birmingham, Ala.,...Samford quarterback Michael Hiers was 45-for-51 for 442 yards and four touchdowns passing and ran for 50 yards and another score as the Bulldogs topped ETSU on Saturday, 55-45. Hiers, who had separate consecutive completion streaks of 11, 14 and 15 passes in the game, completed 88.2 percent of his passes on the day, good for fifth-best by an FCS player this season, while his 45 completions are the most for an NCAA Division I quarterback this year. The Birmingham, Alabama, junior completed passes to 11 different players and threw for TDs of 51, 39, 5 and 6 yards in addition to running one in from 2 yards as the Bulldogs remained unbeaten in SoCon play and moved to 4-0 in the league for the first time since 2013. For his efforts, Hiers was also named the FedEx Ground FCS National Offensive Player of the Week by Stats Perform on Monday. Other nominees: Graeson Underwood (The Citadel), Tyler Riddell (ETSU), Dominic Roberto (Furman), Ty James (Mercer), Jamoi Mayes (Chattanooga) and Desmond Reid (Western Carolina). - SoCon Football

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QB Michael Hiers, Samford
News Source: SoCon Football
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10/26/22 - Zach Williams, rSr/2023, Samford + More +

OCT 24 SOCON SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Zach Williams, Sr., K, Samford, Louisville, Ky.,...Samford kicker Zach Williams accounted for 13 points in the Bulldogs' 55-45 win over ETSU on Saturday. The senior from Louisville, Kentucky, booted a pair of field goals on the afternoon, matching his career long with a 42-yard make to tie the contest at 3 with 6:14 left in the opening quarter and converting a 32-yard attempt at the halftime horn to send the Bulldogs into the locker room with a 34-24 lead. Williams was also perfect on seven point-after attempts on the day for a season-best point total. Other nominees: Tyler Keltner (ETSU), Wayne Anderson (Furman) and Aaron Sears (Chattanooga). - SoCon Football

rSr/2023

K Zach Williams, Samford
News Source: SoCon Football
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10/24/22 - Michael Hiers, rSr/2024, Samford + More +

OCT 24 STATS FEDEX GROUND FCS NATIONAL OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Michael Hiers, Samford, QB, Jr., 6-1, 221, Birmingham, Alabama,...Hiers' accuracy was off the charts as he completed 45 of 51 (88.2 percent) passes for 442 yards and four touchdowns, and he also carried the ball 13 times for 50 yards and another TD, in Samford's 55-45 victory at ETSU. The junior college transfer connected with 11 different receivers while helping the Bulldogs (6-1) improve to 4-0 in the SoCon for the first time since 2013. Honorable Mention: Michael Brescia, QB, Colgate; Trazon Connley, QB, Texas Southern; Aaron Dawson, RB, Valparaiso; Marques DeShields, RB, Rhode Island; Jalen Fowler, QB, North Carolina A&T; Xavier Gipson, WR, Stephen F. Austin; Geno Hess, RB, Southeast Missouri; Andre Iosivas, WR, Princeton; Cornelius McCoy, WR, Eastern Kentucky; Parker McKinney, QB, Eastern Kentucky; Jaleel McLaughlin, RB, Youngstown State; Deonte McMahon, RB, McNeese; Tommy Mellott, QB, Montana State; ShunDerrick Powell, RB, North Alabama. - STATS FCS Football

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QB Michael Hiers, Samford
News Source: STATS FCS Football
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10/22/22 - Michael Hiers, rSr/2024, Samford + More +

Michael Hiers passed for 446 yards and four touchdowns and added 2-yard scoring run to help Samford beat East Tennessee State 55-45 Saturday night. Hiers completed 45 of 51 passes with no interceptions and finished with 50 yards rushing on 13 carries. Kendall Watson had 11 receptions for 146 yards and a touchdown and Chandler Smith, who also finished with 11 catches, had 97 yards receiving - including a 5-yard TD that gave Samford (6-1, 4-0 Southern Conference) the lead for good at 31-24 late in the second quarter. The Bulldogs have won five on a row since a 33-0 loss to No. 1 Georgia on Sept. 10. Tyler Riddell threw completed 25 of 43 passes for 389 yards and five touchdowns for ETSU (3-5, 1-5). Samford finished with 34 first downs and 609 total yards. - Samford/AP College Football

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QB Michael Hiers, Samford
News Source: Samford/AP College Football
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10/14/22 - Nathan East, rSr/2023, Samford + More +

OCT 3 SOCON DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Nathan East, Gr., LB, Samford, McCalla, Alabama,...Samford linebacker Nathan East had an active day for the Bulldogs' defense, accounting for 10 total tackles, an 8-yard sack, two forced fumbles, two quarterback hurries and a pass breakup. The graduate student from McCalla, Alabama, forced his first fumble late in the third quarter, which Samford recovered. On Furman's next possession, East forced another fumble on a sack, with the Bulldogs again recovering and scoring a touchdown on their ensuing possession to make it 34-17. East was also named the FedEx Ground FCS National Defensive Player of the Week by Stats Perform on Monday. Other nominees: Jalen Porter (ETSU), Michael Campbell (Mercer), Jay Person (Chattanooga), Andreas Keaton (Western Carolina) and Evan Eller (VMI). - SoCon Football

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OLB Nathan East, Samford
News Source: SoCon Football
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10/14/22 - Jaylan Thomas, Sr/2023, Samford + More +

OCT 3 SOCON OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Jaylan Thomas, Sr., RB, Samford, Carrollton, Ga.,...Samford running back Jaylan Thomas ran for 104 yards and a career-best three touchdowns on just five carries as the Bulldogs went on the road to beat Furman on Saturday, 34-27. The senior Elon transfer scored twice in the second quarter, with his 28-yard scamper with 7:05 left in the half putting the Bulldogs ahead for the first time on the day, 13-10. With 2:29 left in the opening half, Thomas added a 14-yard scoring run. He capped his scoring with a 44-yard touchdown run just 1:20 into the third quarter as Samford went up 27-17. Other nominees: Jace Wilson (Furman), Fred Payton (Mercer), Ailym Ford (Chattanooga), Chance Knox (VMI) and Carlos Davis (Western Carolina). - SoCon Football

Sr/2023

RB Jaylan Thomas, Samford
News Source: SoCon Football
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10/14/22 - Isaiah Richardson, rSr/2023, Samford + More +

SEPT 26 SOCON DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Isaiah Richardson, Sr., DB, Samford, Richmond, Texas,...Samford defensive back Isaiah Richardson had eight tackles and an interception to lead a defense that kept Western Carolina's prolific offense out of the end zone in Saturday's 35-12 win. The senior from Richmond, Texas, had six solo stops among his eight tackles, while his first-quarter interception in the end zone thwarted the Catamounts' first scoring threat before the Bulldogs scored on their ensuing possession. Richardson paced a defense that shut down a Western Carolina squad that had been averaging 48.7 points per game this season, including a scoring average of 67.5 points per game against FCS opponents. Other nominees: Alijah Huzzie (ETSU), Jalen Miller (Furman), Cam Sims (Mercer), Devonnsha Maxwell (Chattanooga), Andreas Keaton (Western Carolina) and Micheal Mason (Wofford). - SoCon Football

rSr/2023

SS Isaiah Richardson, Samford
News Source: SoCon Football
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10/14/22 - Michael Hiers, rSr/2024, Samford + More +

SEPT 26 SOCON OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Michael Hiers, Jr., QB, Samford, Birmingham, Ala.,...Samford quarterback Michael Hiers led Samford to a 35-12 win over Western Carolina on Saturday as both squads opened league play. The junior from Birmingham, Alabama, connected on 80 percent of his passes on the day, going 24-for-30 for 292 yards and four touchdowns. Hiers connected for scoring strikes with four different receivers, throwing for TDs of 20 and 34 yards in the first quarter before adding a 60-yard score in the third and a 15-yard TD pass in the fourth. Hiers, who posted a 199.09 pass efficiency rating Saturday, ranks sixth in the FCS with 12 touchdown passes this season. Other nominees: Jacob Saylors (ETSU), Jace Wilson (Furman), Devron Harper (Mercer), Ailym Ford (Chattanooga), Jalynn Williams (Western Carolina) and Jimmy Weirick (Wofford). - SoCon Football

rSr/2024

QB Michael Hiers, Samford
News Source: SoCon Football
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10/11/22 - Nathan East, rSr/2023, Samford + More +

OCT 3 STATS FCS NATIONAL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Nathan East, Samford, LB, Grad, 6-2, 227, McCalla, Alabama,...East filled the box score as Samford posted a 34-27 win at Furman in the Southern Conference, marking its best start to a season (4-1) since 2016. He paced the Bulldogs with 10 tackles, forced two fumbles as well as two incompletions with quarterback hurries and added a pass breakup. His second forced fumble came on an eight-yard sack, and a teammate recovered the ball on the Furman 8 to set up the Bulldogs offense for a quick touchdown. Honorable Mention: Kelechi Anyalebechi, LB, UIW; Demetrias Charles, LB, Central Arkansas; Tory Hargrove, LB, Abilene Christian; Myles Heard, S, Stephen F. Austin; Jake Heimlicher, DL, Penn; Mikey Jarmolowich, DB, Colgate; Shaun Lewis, CB, UT Martin; A.T. Ntantang, DB, Lafayette; Jay Person, Edge, Chattanooga; John Tessmann, LB, Davidson; Justin Townsend, DE, Columbia; Zeke Vandenburgh, LB, Illinois State; Campbell Watson, LB, Presbyterian. - Stats FCS Football

rSr/2023

OLB Nathan East, Samford
News Source: STATS FCS Football
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10/08/22 - Michael Hiers, rSr/2024, Samford + More +

Michael Hiers threw for two touchdowns, and Samford's defense kept Wofford in check for a 28-14 win on Saturday, the 16th-straight loss for the Terriers. It was a disappointing debut for Wofford head coach Shawn Watson, who stepped up from offensive coordinator after Josh Conklin resigned on Thursday. The Bulldogs (5-1, 3-0 Southern Conference) limited the Terriers (0-6, 0-3) to 36 yards in the first half and took a 14-0 lead on Jay Stanton's 1-yard run and a 6-yard reception by Kendall Watson. Those drives only covered 48 and 47 yards, respectively.

Hiers connected with D.J. Rias for a 54-yard score in the third quarter and Jaylan Thomas burst 37 yards for a touchdown to make it 28-7. Hiers was 31 of 42 for 251 yards. Watson had 10 receptions for 83 yards. Jimmy Weirick threw for a touchdown pass and Kyle Parson ran for one for Wofford. Conklin took his first two Terrier teams to the playoffs and was Southern Conference coach of the year after the second in 2019. However, Wofford was 1-10 last year and Conklin's mark in five seasons was 19-27. - AP College Football

rSr/2024

QB Michael Hiers, Samford
News Source: AP College Football
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09/24/22 - Michael Hiers, rSr/2024, Samford + More +

Michael Hiers passed for 292 yards and four touchdowns to propel Samford to a 35-12 victory over Western Carolina on Saturday. Hiers completed 24 of 30 passes with an interception for Samford (3-1) in a Southern Conference opener. Hiers opened the scoring with a 20-yard touchdown pass to Judd Cockett midway through the first quarter. He upped the Bulldogs' lead to 14-0 with a 34-yard strike to Chandler Smith early in the second quarter.

Hiers connected with Jaylan Thomas for a 60-yard score and a 21-6 lead in the third quarter. Hiers and Ty King teamed up for a 15-yard touchdown in the fourth. Jay Stanton added a 49-yard touchdown run with 9:47 left to play. Smith finished with eight catches for 125 yards. Richard McCollum kicked four field goals for Western Carolina (2-2). Carlos Davis completed 29 of 44 passes for 301 yards for the Catamounts, but he was picked off twice. Samford leads the all-time series 17-3. The Catamounts haven't won in Birmingham since 1969. - AP College Football

rSr/2024

QB Michael Hiers, Samford
News Source: AP College Football
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09/07/22 - Michael Hiers, rSr/2024, Samford + More +

SEPT 5 SOUTHERN CONFERENCE OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Michael Hiers, Jr., QB, Samford, Birmingham, Ala.,...Making his Samford debut, quarterback Michael Hiers accounted for all four touchdowns in the Bulldogs' 27-17 upset of No. 6/8 Kennesaw State on Thursday. The junior transfer from Northwest Mississippi Community College, playing in his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama, went 18-for-24 through the air, completing 75 percent of his passes for 289 yards and turning in a pass efficiency of 231.15. Hiers had touchdown tosses of 28, 6, 15 and 31 yards, with the latter two coming in the fourth quarter as the Bulldogs rallied from a three-point deficit at the end of the third quarter. Thanks in part to Hiers's efforts, the Bulldogs entered the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 at No. 25 on Monday. Other nominees: Jacob Saylors (ETSU), Tyler Huff (Furman), Ty James (Mercer), Ailym Ford (Chattanooga) and Carlos Davis (Western Carolina). - SoCon Football

rSr/2024

QB Michael Hiers, Samford
News Source: SoCon Football
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09/03/22 - Michael Hiers, rSr/2024, Samford + More +

Michael Hiers threw for four touchdowns in his Samford debut and the Bulldogs upset FCS power Kennesaw State 27-17 in a season opener for both teams Thursday night. Hiers, a junior college transfer, was 18-of-24 passing for 289 yards, completing two touchdown passes each to Kendall Watson and Chandler Smith. Watson had nine catches for a career-high 187 yards. Hiers' two scores to Smith came in the fourth quarter, the final one a toss into the flat that the receiver turned into a 31-yard score with five minutes remaining and a 27-17 lead. Xavier Shepherd connected with Nykeem Farrow on a 72-yard pass play to the 7-yard line but was intercepted in the end zone by Kourtland Marsh with 3:41 left. Shepherd went over 1,000 rushing yards for his career but had just 64 yards on 35 carries with a score against the Bulldogs. The Owls fell in their first game since leaving the Big South, where they won three conference titles in seven years, including last season. They joined the Atlantic Sun this season. Both teams are headed for road games at ranked FBS teams on Sept. 10, Kennesaw State at No. 23-ranked Cincinnati and Samford at No. 3 Georgia. - AP College Football

rSr/2024

QB Michael Hiers, Samford
News Source: AP College Football
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08/04/22 - Nathan East, rSr/2023, Samford + More +

2022 PRESEASON ALL-SOUTHERN CONFERENCE FIRST TEAM (COACHES): LB Nathan East, Gr., Samford,...East, the 2022 Charles Williams Memorial Jersey Winner, paced the Bulldog defense with 97 tackles and ranked second in the SoCon by averaging 9.7 tackles per game during the Fall 2021 season. The McCalla, Ala. native also collected 7.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks in Fall 2021. Samford was picked to finished to finish sixth in the coaches' poll and seventh in the media poll. - Samford Football

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