STATESBORO, Ga. --- There wasn't much of a homecoming party Saturday afternoon at Paulson Stadium.

There were plenty of opportunities to revel. But Georgia Southern didn't take advantage of its 10 possessions inside Samford territory.

"It was the most disappointing game I've had as a coach," Eagles coach Chris Hatcher said shortly after a 27-17 loss to Samford ended any playoff hopes his team might have still held this season.

Georgia Southern (5-5, 3-4 Southern Confer-ence) lost for the fourth time in six games at home this season.

After overtime wins in consecutive weeks, the Eagles sputtered this time and couldn't muster a final push.

"We play with a lot of pride," said Eagles wide receiver Michael McIntosh. "You want to play your best at home. That record is unthinkable to me."

Samford (5-4, 3-3), a newcomer to the league this season, weathered an early 10-point deficit and dominated the final three quarters.

Bulldogs freshman quarterback Dustin Taliaferro threw for two touchdowns and ran for another, and conference-leading rusher Chris Evans had a touchdown and 125 of his game-high 142 yards in the second half.

Georgia Southern receiver Raja Andrews, a Swainsboro alum, wouldn't let the defense take the blame.

"The bigger issue was us as an offense," he said.

After building a 10-0 lead in the first quarter, the Eagles recovered a fumbled kickoff at the Bulldogs 26. Three plays later, after losing 17 yards, the Eagles had to punt.

In the second quarter, Georgia Southern drove to the Samford 4, but running back Leander Barney fumbled a pitch and the Bulldogs recovered.

Samford, which was outgained 107-2 in the first quarter, finally clicked offensively with 5:12 left in the half.

Wideout Jonathan Lowery used his 9-inch height advantage and turned a short, jump-ball catch over 5-foot-8 cornerback Ronnie Wiggins on a fade route into a 73-yard touchdown reception to make it 10-7.

And with 44.9 seconds left in the half, Taliaferro scrambled away from defenders and found a wide-open DeMarcus Covington behind the Georgia Southern secondary for a 57-yard score.

Samford marched the second-half kickoff 80 yards in eight plays, capping the drive with Evans' 31-yard touchdown run through a maze of missed tackles to give Samford a 20-10 lead.

Henton's TD pass to McIntosh made it 20-17, but the Eagles were done scoring. Henton, a transfer from Ohio State, threw for 202 yards and two touchdowns, and ran for another 69 yards.

Andrews' 10 catches tied the school single-game record he set a week earlier against The Citadel.

Defensive lineman Damon Suggs had a team-high 10 tackles. Dakota Walker added six and had 11/2 sacks and two tackles for losses.

But no Eagle left happy.

"The plays didn't go our way," defensive end Larry Beard said. "It's been happening all season. This time we couldn't turn it around."