Sept. 10, 2003

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford Football team continued to work out during its off-week leading up to the game against Division I-A, San Diego State. The Bulldogs are using the off-week as an opportunity to rest some injured players and get some younger guys some work.

"Because of our injuries we have had an opportunity to work some young guys in some different spots and move some people around," Gray said. "Without having an off week, we would not have been able to do that without being penalized because of missing a day. It is also important to get our legs back under us and to slow down a little bit and focus on some things that we might have taken for granted in the first few weeks."

Darold Williams rushes the quarterback at practice

Gray realizes the challenge that awaits his Bulldogs on September 20 in Qualcomm Stadium.

"They are a very talented football team," Gray said. "It will be a huge challenge for us to go and play them. We will go into the game and just try and do the best we can and make as few mistakes as possible. There is no pressure on us so we are going to go out there and let our guys do what they do best and see what happens. Anybody who can stay on the field with Ohio State is a talented ball club."

The Bulldogs are off this weekend after starting the season 2-0 for the first time since 1997. The game will be held in Qualcomm Stadium, which was the site of last year's NFL Super Bowl. Kickoff is set for 6:05 p.m. CDT.