Nov. 23, 2004

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford University football team had three representatives on the OVC's first-team All-Conference team released by the conference Tuesday afternoon.

Senior quarterback Ray Nelson and senior wide receiver Efrem Hill were named to the first-team offense, while junior free safety Cortland Finnegan was named to the first-team defense.

Efrem Hill was named to the first-team All-Conference team for the second year in a row.

This season, Nelson led the OVC in total offense (327.8 ypg.), and was second in the league in passing (255.2 ypg.). Nelson is Samford's all-time leader in total offense (9,575 yds.) and passing (7,950 yds.). He is on the first-team for the second year in a row.

Hill led the conference in receptions per game (6.45 rpg.), total receiving yards (984) and receiving yards per game (89.5 ypg.). Hill is Samford's all-time leader in receiving yards (3,054), receptions (214) and touchdown receptions (31). Last season, Hill was named the OVC's Offensive Player of the Year and was a consensus All-American.

Finnegan led Samford with 86 tackles this season, despite missing two games due to injury. He finished fourth in the conference in tackles per game (9.6). In 2003, Finnegan was named the OVC's Defensive Player of the Year, and was named third-team All-American.