Nov. 7, 2002

Samford (4-4) returns home for Senior Day at Seibert Stadium. The Bulldogs will honor its 13 seniors in a pre-game ceremony before hosting future Ohio Valley Conference foe Tennessee Tech in Samford's final home game of the season. Samford and Tech meet for the 17th time with the Bulldogs leading the series 9-7. The Bulldogs and Eagles were scheduled to meet last season in week two but the tragedies of Sept. 11 cancelled the game.

The Bulldogs are coming off a 54-17 loss to Murray State last week. Samford was outgained 562-183 on offense. Freshman cornerback Cortland Finnegan was Samford's lone bright spot. Finnegan returned six kicks for 263 yards including two 95-yard kick returns for touchdowns. Chip Walters added the other three points when he connected on a 28-yard field goal. Senior free safety Robert Evans had a season-high 15 tackles to lead the defense.

Tennessee Tech (2-7) is off to a rough start having loss some close games in conference play. The Golden Eagles fell to Southeast Missouri State last weekend, 36-30, on the road. Southeast Missouri blocked a punt with 10 seconds left in the game to escape with the win. Tech led 13-12 at halftime, but Southeast Missouri outscored TTU, 24-17, in the second half. Jason Ballard led Tennessee Tech carrying 27 times for 111 yards and two touchdowns. Tech's offense has been a balance attack this season. The Golden Eagles are averaging 121.8 rushing yards per game and 251.1 passing yards per game. Ballard has rushed for 627 yards and six touchdowns on the season. Sophomore quarterback Robert Craft has 135-of-252 passes for 2,022 yards with 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Tech's defense is allowing 379.1 yards of offense per contest.

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