SATURDAY'S SCORES
@Tennessee Tech 59, Samford 58 (2OT)
@Tennessee State 26, Mississippi Valley State 20
TENNESSEE TECH 59, SAMFORD 58 (2OT)
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. - Bailey Fisher threw for a career-high 415 yards with five total touchdowns – two passing and three rushing – and completed three two-point conversions – two passing and one rushing – as Tennessee Tech rallied from a 38-15 deficit in the third quarter to tie Samford, then win 59-58 in the second overtime.
The total touchdowns ties the Tech record for touchdowns responsible for in a game. Tech’s 671 yards is also a new school record, breaking 644 yards against Valparaiso in 2002.
After Samford scored on the first half of the second extra session, Andrew Goldsmith scored the final touchdown on a 14-yard run, then Fisher found David Gist in the end zone for the game-winning score.
The 415-yard total is the third-best passing game in Tech history. Fisher completed 31 of his 44 passes, while also rushing for 48 yards for 463 yards of total offense, the third-most in program history behind Tre Lamb (474 in 2012 vs. SEMO) and Darian Stone (467 in 2012 vs. Tennessee State). Neither team had a turnover in the contest. The game is also the highest combined score in program history, besting the 111 points scored between Samford and Tennessee Tech in 2007.
Freshman Metrius Fleming scored his first touchdown for Tech on a 66-yard run, then Haidar Zaidan kicked a 24-yard field goal and Henry Karimu tackled Samford’s DeMarcus Ware in the end zone for a safety to go up 12-0.
Samford switched to Chris Oladokun after the first two drives and he proceeded to throw four touchdown passes in the next six drives to push the Bulldogs well ahead, by as many as 19 points. Oladokun completed 19 of his 24 passes for six touchdowns and 428 yards and rushed for another score.
Tavin Kilpatrick and Justin Oden also caught TD passes, Oden’s the first of his Tech career.
TENNESSEE STATE 26, MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE 20
NASHVILLE - Propelled by 447 yards of total offense, the Tennessee State football team secured a 26-20 win over Mississippi Valley State in the 21st annual John Merritt Classic Saturday evening at Nissan Stadium.
Chris Rowland, who was voted offensive MVP, finished with a near career-high 173 yards on 11 receptions. The local wide-receiver added 61 yards on seven punt returns and one rush for 235 total all-purpose yards.
Cameron Rosendahl wrapped the night with an impressive 330 yards adding an 8-yard rushing touchdown, the first of his career.
Sophomore Jahsun Bryant, out of Cane Ridge High School was voted defensive MVP after registering three solo, nine total tackles. Terry Straughter added seven tackles, 1.5 for loss.
All-American kicker Antonio Zita added the exclamation mark with four hit field goals and two extra points for a total of 14 points on the night. His third field goal marked a career-long of 44-yards.