Samford’s big 2nd quarter leads to 31-13 win over W Carolina

CULLOWHEE, N.C. (AP) Liam Welch passed for one score and ran for another as Samford rallied past Western Carolina 31-13 on Saturday.

The Bulldogs (5-6, 4-4 Southern Conference) spotted Western Carolina (3-8, 2-6) a 10-point lead before a punt return for a TD, a Welch run and a Mitchell Fineran field goal gave Stanford a 17-13 lead by halftime.

Montrell Washington fielded a Western Carolina punt and raced 59 yards for Samford's first score. The Bulldogs scored on their next two possessions - Welch, who rushed for a career-high 105 yards, capping a 13-play drive with a fourth-and-goal keeper from the 1. Jaleel Laguins recovered a Western Carolina fumble and Fineran turned it into points with his 43-yard field goal.

Tyrie Adams was 13-of-29 passing for 181 yards for the Catamounts who were outgained in total offense 404 yards to 251.