SPARTANBURG, S.C. (Interstat) — Wofford capitalized on a dominant defensive performance, returning two interceptions for touchdowns, to secure a 26-16 victory over Samford in a non-conference college football game at Gibbs Stadium on Saturday.

The Terriers’ defense proved to be the difference-maker, with Maximus Pulley and Eli Campbell each recording pick-sixes that swung the momentum permanently in Wofford’s favor. The unit forced five total turnovers, stymieing a Samford offense that started strong but faltered under relentless pressure.

Samford opened the game with an impressive 11-play, 80-yard drive, capped by a 2-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Charlie Gilliam to wide receiver Calvin Jones. The Bulldogs extended their early lead to 10-0 with a 23-yard field goal from Jake Garner later in the first quarter.

The game turned decisively in the latter half of the opening quarter. Wofford’s Pulley, a defensive back from Fort Worth, Texas, intercepted a Gilliam pass and returned it 25 yards for a touchdown. Just minutes later, after another Gilliam interception gave Wofford possession deep in Samford territory, running back Gerald Modest Jr. punched in a 5-yard rushing touchdown to give the Terriers a 14-10 lead, a advantage they would not relinquish.

Samford managed to pull within a point with a 25-yard Garner field goal in the third quarter, making the score 16-15. The Bulldogs’ defense had set up the score with an interception of their own by Nahil Perkins.

Any hope of a Samford comeback was extinguished just 14 seconds later. On the Bulldogs’ ensuing possession, Wofford’s Campbell picked off a pass from Quincy Crittendon and raced 42 yards to the end zone, pushing the Terriers’ lead to 21-16.

Wofford added a safety in the third quarter when Samford was called for holding in its own end zone, and sealed the victory with a 25-yard field goal from Sam Spence in the fourth quarter to produce the final margin.

The Terriers’ ground game, led by Ihson Jackson-Anderson’s 85 yards on 16 carries, controlled the clock late. Wofford’s defense sacked Samford quarterbacks six times.

Statistically, Samford’s passing attack found some success. Calvin Jones was a standout for the Bulldogs, hauling in nine receptions for 126 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Quincy Crittendon of Decatur, Alabama, completed 19 of 25 passes for 219 yards after relieving Gilliam, who finished 15 of 25 for 113 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions.

With the loss, Samford falls to 1-8 on the season. Wofford improves to 3-6.

Samford is scheduled to host East Tennessee State next Saturday. Wofford will travel to face the Virginia Military Institute.