Sept. 19, 2001
BIRMINGHAM - Samford football continued its game-week preparation for the Sept. 22 meeting at Gardner-Webb, attempting to fight off any rustiness that could come from a 22-day layoff. Samford has not played since Aug. 30.
"It would be difficult for the layoff not to affect them some," said Head Coach Pete Hurt. "I looked at my calendar today and realized that our freshman have been here over a month and a half and have only been a part of one football game. I jokingly told them after practice today that I know they're ready to play because I'm tired of watching them practice. It's almost like the end of two-a-days, like you really don't know what to expect from them."
One good result of the Bulldogs' extended time off is the return of injured players. Tight End and long-snapper Mike Verlander, defensive end Lamarkis Branson, and tailback Jason Ogletree are three of the Bulldogs' top players who missed the season opener and were questionable for last week's game with Tennessee Tech. All will play Saturday against Gardner-Webb.
Two of the Bulldogs' top defensive players, Jonathan Clark and Robert Evans, did not play in the Gardner-Webb game last season due to injury. The GWU ground game flourished in the 36-17 win in 2000, as Justin Richardson chewed up the Bulldog defense for 163 yards and two touchdowns and the Runnin' Bulldogs amassed 462 total yards. Both Clark and Evans look forward to Saturday's challenge.
The Samford and GWU offenses will be similar on Saturday, attempting to spread the field with one back and a multiple-receiver attack. GWU returns nine offensive starters and has the advantage of a year's worth of experience in the system, averaging 412 yards of total offense per game. Samford's familiarity with the new system will improve game-by-game. The Bulldogs posted 215 yards of total offense against Chattanooga in the season opener.
Quarterback Josh Kellett remains the starter at quarterback for Samford, with true freshman Ramon Nelson (Mobile, Ala.) a potential threat in the pocket as well. Nelson (5-11, 175) did not play in the opener at Chattanooga, but the Alabama "6-A Back of the Year" could see action this weekend. The Bulldogs' new defensive alignment of an eight-man front is designed to free up Samford's linebackers and safeties, as evidenced by the 15 stops recorded by safety Jonathan Clark and middle linebacker Clay Romano's 10 tackles against Chattanooga.
