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Sam Sanders, the fourth-winningest coach in AU football history, guided the Saxons to a school record for wins in a season and their only NCAA playoff appearance.
Sanders compiled a 49-27-2 record in eight seasons from 1977-84. In 1981, he guided the Saxons to a 10-1 record and a spot in the NCAA Division III playoffs, in which AU lost, 13-12, to Montclair State in the opening round. The 10 victories are tied with the 2010 team for the school’s all-time high for a single season.
In 1977, he was appointed to succeed legendary Alfred University football coach Alex Yunevich. Like Yunevich, Sanders made defense a priority. His 1981 NCAA team was built on that premise and the numbers reflected the Saxons’ dominance. In 11 games, the team allowed eight or fewer points seven times, and twice recorded shutouts. The defense was one of the stingiest in the nation, allowing only 8.2 points per contest and ranked first in the nation against the run, allowing only 65.6 yards rushing per game. In the NCAA playoff loss to Montclair State, the Saxons gave up minus-10 yards on the ground.
Sanders left AU after the 1984 season and was defensive line and linebackers coach for the Canadian Football League’s Toronto Argonauts from 1985-90. He then took over as head coach at the University of Buffalo and coached his alma mater for two years before illness forced his retirement. He has been inducted into the Halls of Fame at Kenmore West High School and the University of Buffalo.
He listed as his biggest thrill at Alfred coaching that 1981 team, for which his oldest son, Sam, played.
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