Sept. 25, 2002

Samford was forced indoors for its final practice of the week Wednesday afternoon. The Bulldogs will lift weights Thursday before taking Friday and Saturday off for their open week. Samford next plays at Jacksonville State Oct. 5 at 6:30 p.m. The game will be televised on Comcast Sports South.

"An open day couldn't have come at a better time for us," Samford head coach Bill Gray Said. "We're banged up a little bit as well as the kids have been going pretty hard since the first of two-a-days. We're glad to get a win going into an open date and have a little pep in our step; but at the same time, the guys have needed some time off."

After working on special teams and correcting mistakes from last Saturday earlier in the week, the Bulldogs held 45-minute meetings before working on the floor in Bashinsky Fieldhouse for 30 minutes.

"We've already begun to implement our game plan for Jacksonville State. We need the time off to heal our bodies. We have some guys with some bumps and bruises plus some guys we're hoping to come back from some injuries," Gray said. "Hopefully, this open date will have us a little bit more healthy for next Saturday. We're going to regroup and get after it again Monday afternoon."

Gray said junior running back Fred Gilliam, junior center Brad Baker and sophomore defensive tackle Thad Henderson are listed as questionable going into the off week. However, the Bulldogs are expecting the return of sophomore defensive end Colby Williamson for the Jacksonville State game.

Samford returns to the practice field Monday evening at 5:15 p.m.