Sept. 20, 2002

When:Saturday, Sept. 21, 2002 Place: Seibert Stadium Kickoff:6 p.m.

Samford (1-2) looks to snap a two-game losing streak when it hosts Tennessee-Martin (2-1) in the third home game of the season at Seibert Stadium. The Bulldogs and Skyhawks meet for the 12th time since 1959 with Samford leading the series 11-1. UT-Martin will be the first Ohio Valley Conference team that the Bulldogs face this season.Samford will try to bounce back from a 45-17 home loss to Nicholls State last Saturday.

The Colonels' "Swamp Bone" offense produced 287 rushing yards and 384 total yards last week. Junior running back Jason Ogletree carried 17 times for 67 yards and one touchdown while senior quarterback Josh Kellett came off the bench to complete 12-of-28 passes for 147 yards and lead the Bulldogs to on two scoring drives against Nicholls. Senior wide-out Aryvia Holmes caught eight passes for 81 yards in the loss.

Tennessee-Martin (2-1) is off to its best start since 1995. The Skyhawks defeated Division II Kentucky Wesleyan, 42-14, at home last Thursday. UT-Martin rushed for 249 yards in the win. On the season, the Skyhawks are averaging 226 rushing yards per game and have outrushed their opponents 678-241. Sam Berrien leads the team rushing with 132 yards on 27 carries. Perez Boyd has three interceptions to lead the Skyhawk defense.

The Samford Offense: Samford's spread-offense has shown signs of a balance attack in 2002. The Bulldogs are averaging 104 yards per game on the ground while averaging 211 yards per game through the air. However, the Bulldogs are only averaging 17.7 points per game. Quarterbacks Ray Nelson and Josh Kellettt have put up similar numbers. Nelson has completed 32-of-61 passes for 318 yards with one interception and one touchdown while Kellett has thrown for 317 yards on 23-of-45 passing with three interceptions and one touchdown. Aryvia Holmes leads all of Division I-AA averaging 124.3 receiving yards per game.

The Samford Defense: The Bulldog defense has been struggling early allowing 209 rushing yards and 390 total yards per game. Junior linebacker Derrick Wheeler leads the team with 24 tackles. Samford has managed to force three turnovers, one interception and two fumbles.

A Taste of the OVC: Samford gets its first taste of the Ohio Valley Conference this season when the Bulldogs face off with the Skyhawks. Samford will play five of its future OVC foes in 2002. After Saturday's meeting with UT-Martin, the Bulldogs will face Jacksonville State, Murray State, Southeast Missouri State and Tennessee Tech. Samford will be a full-time member of the OVC in 2003 when all 17 sports join the conference.

The Series vs. UT-Martin: Samford leads the all-time series with Tennessee-Martin, 11-1. The Bulldogs defeated the Skyhawks last season in Birmingham, 31-8. Samford has won the last 10 meetings. The last time Martin defeated Samford was in 1988 when the Skyhawks won in Birmingham, 45-13. Samford is 5-1 in Birmingham against the Skyhawks.

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