Crittendon leads Samford to victory over VMI in Southern Conference opener

In Birmingham, Alabama, Quincy Crittendon led the Samford Bulldogs to a decisive 27-3 victory over the VMI Keydets in their Southern Conference opener on Saturday. Crittendon showcased his passing skills, completing 26 of 30 attempts for 196 yards and throwing three touchdown passes, two of which were caught by E. Jai Mason. The game began with a 5-yard touchdown pass to Mason, establishing an early lead for Samford. The Bulldogs continued to dominate, with Brendan Jenkins scoring on an 18-yard touchdown pass early in the second quarter, followed by a field goal from Forrest Taylor that extended their lead to 17-3 at halftime. VMI struggled offensively, managing only 42 rushing yards on 31 carries and converting just 4 of 17 third downs, which highlighted their difficulties throughout the game. Midnight Steward's interception and subsequent 45-yard return set up another touchdown pass from Crittendon to Mason in the third quarter, further solidifying Samford's control of the match. Taylor capped the scoring with a 29-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. This victory improved Samford's record to 2-2, while VMI fell to 0-5, marking their worst start since the 2018 season. The game underscored the challenges faced by VMI as they continue to seek their first win of the season.