Sept. 11, 2003

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford Bulldog football team spent two hours on the practice field on-campus Thursday afternoon as the team continues its off-week work and preparation for its September 20 game at San Diego State.

"We worked on a little bit of everything," head coach Bill Gray said. "It was a little up-tempo and we had a good practice. I was pleased with the way they worked. I hope they're working with some effort because of what we have coming up a week from Saturday and not because we're giving them the day off tomorrow.

"I was pleased with today's practice. I thought we worked hard and are starting to retain some of the things we are seeing in the meeting room. And now, as we are starting to get into a game-week scenario, it's very important that the second day out, you retain more than you did the first day."

Gray added that he feels the off-week has been beneficial to the team as it prepares for its only Division I-A opponent of the season.

The Bulldogs worked out for two hours on Thursday afternoon.

"It's helped us, because we still have guys that are healing, and that needed this time," Gray said. "It's also given us an opportunity to work some guys at some different spots to see what they can do. We definitely needed it, because once we get to next week, we have eight-straight weeks of tough football."

The Bulldogs will take Friday off, and will be back on the practice field Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m.

Samford's game at San Diego State on September 20, is set to kickoff at 4:00 p.m. Pacific, and 6:00 p.m. Central. The game can be heard on WVSU-FM 91.1.