Oct. 19, 2004

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Samford senior quarterback Ray Nelson enters tonight's game as the all-time school leader in total offense (8,039 yards) and passing yards (6,734 yards). However, the fact that he has re-written the Samford passing record book is something that he says has happened as a result of the entire offense.

"I really didn't think about it coming into the season," Nelson said. "But I think it is something that has just happened because of what we have been able to establish the last two years with the offense. I think it is a good way to be remembered at Samford University."

Nelson, a native of Mobile, is not the first member of his family to play football at the college level. His brother, Pedro, played as a linebacker at Mississippi College. In fact, his brother and other family members are who he credits with being the biggest influences on him as a football player.

"My brother and dad played a big part in getting me associated with football at a young age," Nelson said. "My dad was working, and my mom would be responsible for getting me to practice, along with other family members. But, I think my dad and brother inspired me to play football."

Nelson went on to play high school football at Theodore High School in Mobile. At Theodore, he became the starting quarterback early in his junior season. In his senior season of high school Nelson threw for 3,302 yards and 33 touchdowns. For his efforts, Nelson was named Alabama 6A Back of the Year, and he was named the Co-Offensive Player of the Year by the Mobile Register.

After graduating from high school with honors, Nelson had to decide where he would attend school and play football collegiately.

"I chose Samford because of the educational tradition the school had," Nelson said. "It had a reputation of being a great educational school, and that was something my mom was definitely interested in. That played a major role in me accepting a scholarship to Samford."

Midway through his freshman season at Samford in 2001, Nelson became the starting quarterback for the Bulldogs. In the final game of that season at the Virginia Military Institute, Nelson set a then-school record for completions in a game with 32 completions for 403 yards. That season, Nelson completed 120-of-219 passes for 1,466 yards and 13 touchdowns.

While sharing starting time with Josh Kellett as a sophomore, Nelson completed 84-of-161 passes for 918 yards and four touchdowns, while started seven of the team's 11 games during the 2002 season.

Nelson had a breakout year in his junior season in 2003. He set Samford records for passing yards (2,759 yards), total offense (3,140 yards), pass completions (242) and pass attempts (408). In the Bulldogs' game against arch-rival Jacksonville State, he set school single-game records for completions (34) and attempts (60).

So far this season, Nelson has completed 157-of-279 passes for 1,591 yards and 14 touchdowns. He has also rushed for 479 yards on 91 carries to lead the team in rushing this season.

Nelson credits his position coach, David Armstrong, for his development during his time at Samford.

"I think Coach Armstrong definitely played one of the largest roles in me developing as a quarterback," Nelson said. "When he came in, he brought a system of communication between him and the quarterbacks. He taught us a lot, and he helped us develop by bringing in a system of reading defenses, which helped us in picking up blitzes and things like that."

Even though he has already accomplished so much in his time at Samford, Nelson still has goals he would like to reach before playing his last game as a Bulldog.

"I would like to win an OVC Championship," Nelson said. "But, if I don't do that, I would like to leave this team with enough momentum so they can carry on the next couple of years and hopefully win an OVC Championship."

After graduating from Samford, Nelson says he would like to stay involved with football.

"I would like to start coaching a football team of my own," Nelson said. "I'd like to coach at the high school level."