BIRMINGHAM, ALA. -- Furman's defense racked up nine sacks and limited Samford to just 46 rushing yards as the FCS fourth-ranked Paladins topped the Bulldogs, 27-21, in Southern Conference action on Saturday afternoon at Pete Hanna Stadium in Birmingham, Ala.

The win marks the ninth straight league triumph for Furman (5-1, 3-0 SoCon) — its longest conference streak since reeling off a school record 13 consecutive victories over the course of the 1988, '89, and '90 seasons.  The Paladins' nine sacks tied for the second most in program history, first registered against Lehigh in a 2001 FCS playoff win.
 
The Paladins outscored Samford (3-4, 2-3 SoCon) 17-0 in the second quarter to take a 17-7 lead into halftime following a leaping one-handed, 1-yard touchdown grab by wide receiver Ben Ferguson with three seconds left of the first half clock.

After the teams traded third quarter touchdowns, Samford's Chandler Smith rushed 22 yards for a score on a reverse with 11:23 remaining to trim the Furman advantage to 24-21. On the ensuing possession, Furman marched 41 yards on seven plays, and Axel Lepvreau capped the drive with a 46-yard field goal to extend the Paladins' lead to 27-21 with 7:47 to play.
 
A Jack Barton sack helped halt Samford's next possession, and the Paladins drove to the Bulldogs' 49 before Ryan Leavy's punt was fair caught at the 10 with 3:22 left. Samford advanced the ball to the 34, but a 10-yard penalty and sacks from Barton and Jeremiah Jackson aided in forcing a turnover-on-downs with 49 seconds to go to seal the victory.
 
Senior Tyler Huff threw for 205 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 79 yards on 17 carries. Dominic Roberto rushed for a season high 128 yards and a score on 18 carries as the Paladins' offense outgained Samford 416-337.

Ferguson caught five passes for 49 yards, while Luke Shiflett had three passes for 71 yards.

Joshua Harris hauled in a 2-yard touchdown catch on the first play of the second quarter to tie the game   at 7-7.

Alabama native Cally Chizik totaled a team-high 13 tackled for the Paladins, and Barton and Evan DiMaggio each recorded a pair of sacks against Samford quarterback Michael Hiers, the league's reigning offensive player of the year.
 
Furman travels to Cullowhee, N.C., next Saturday, October 21, to face Western Carolina at E.J. Whitmire Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 2:30 p.m. on ESPN+.