Oct. 4, 2001

Samford practiced in full pads during its normal Wednesday workout yesterday in preparation for Saturday's matchup with No. 23 Jacksonville State on Saturday.

While the Bulldogs should have no problem getting up for the game after last year,s 36-16 defeat in Jacksonville, Samford Head Coach Pete Hurt is cautious to not let the team be "too ready, too early."

"They know who we are playing this weekend and they know what it means to have a game like this one here at home," said Hurt. "But it's also been important for us to be cautious in practice and in our preparation to not let them get too ready for it too soon. I think we'll be a relatively healthy football team and we'll be ready to play."

SERIES HISTORY

This game marks the 39th meeting in the history between Samford and Jacksonville State, with the Bulldogs leading the series 21-15-2. The series with JSU is the second-longest for the Bulldogs, second to the 40 times they have faced Mississippi College. JSU has won two of the last three meetings, including last year's 36-16 victory in Jacksonville. The series is tied 3-3 in the last six games. Samford won the last game in Birmingham 34-18 in 1999.

HOLMES SELECTED ALL-INDEPENDENT

Samford University wide receiver Aryvia Holmes earned NCAA I-AA Independent Offensive Player of the Week honors for the week ending Sept. 29.

Holmes, a 5-11, 183-pound junior from Midfield, Ala., gained 193 all-purpose yards in the Bulldogs' 20-16 loss at Nicholls State. Holmes hauled in six catches for 116 yards and also returned a pair of kickoffs for 65 yards and a punt for 12. He led Samford receivers for the second consecutive week while snagging big-play passes of 23, 30 and 33 yards.

Holmes also leads Samford in all-purpose yardage with 475 yards. He has 18 receptions for 280 yards and two touchdowns receiving on the year, along with 143 on kickoff returns and 49 on punt returns. He has led the Bulldogs in receiving his two seasons with 24 catches in 1999 and 28 in 2000.

AREN'T THEY SPECIAL?

With Samford's kickoff returns and punt returns ranked in the Top 25 in the nation, Samford's special teams have become just that. The Bulldogs'' kickoff return is sixth in the country, and punt returns are 22nd in the latest NCAA I-AA rankings. Junior return man Aryvia Holmes is 39th in the individual rankings in kickoffs and 30th in punt returns, averaging 23.83 yards per kick return and 12.25 per punt.

WHEELER HAVING CAREER YEAR

Sophomore linebacker Derrick Wheeler recorded his second career performance against Nicholls State. Wheeler posted 20 tackles (10 solo) Saturday after recording his previous best on Sept. 22, an effort that resulted in 14 tackles (6 solo), a forced fumble, a tackle for a loss of three yards and a blocked extra point that resulted in two Samford points against Gardner-Webb. Entering 2001 Wheeler's previous high in tackles was a six against Elon in 2000. The former USA Today honorable mention All-American from Pelham has surpassed his 2000 total of 29 career tackles (18 solo) and one tackle for loss in three games.

TURNOVERS COSTLY FOR BULLDOGS

Through three games Samford has turned the ball over eight times, six times by fumble and twice by interception. In the Gardner-Webb game, three fumbles in the second quarter and two inside the GWU 10-yard line caused Samford crucial scoring opportunities in regulation. Against NSU Samford fumbled twice in the second half, including one with seven minutes to go in the game and inside the Colonels' 40-yard line.

Samford Football Game Day Central!
Your complete resource for attending, listening to or viewing the game!