Aug. 21, 2003

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford Football team began game week preparations Thursday afternoon on the practice fields on the campus of Samford University. The Bulldogs worked in 97 degree heat for two and a half hours preparing for the August 28th match-up with the Chattanooga Mocs.

"We are ready for game week," Bulldogs Head Coach Bill Gray said. "We need to throttle back a little bit and save some legs. We have reached that point where we are ready to go against somebody else."

The defense continued to look strong as the Bulldogs began to work on Chattanooga material.

"I am not concerned at all about the defense getting to the football," Gray said. "I am also not concerned about them fighting on every play. What I am concerned about is being able to tackle well. We have to be able to tackle well if we want to be a good defense. I thought they finished practice really well today and had a lot of enthusiasm."

On the offensive side of the ball Gray still sees many points that need fixing before next Thursday.

"Offensively our receivers need to be more consistent catching the ball," Gray said. "We also need to find some more consistent play makers, we have some guys that are capable of being big time play makers, but the consistent part is what we are lacking right now."

Senior Half Back D.J. Stancil carries the ball at Thursday's practice

The 2003 season officially gets under way one week from tonight, August 28th against the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. The game is scheduled to kickoff at 7:00 p.m. and will be televised live by The Football Network. The Bulldogs will open the home schedule the following Thursday, September 4th against in-state rival West Alabama.