Nov. 5, 2004
Reprinted from the Birmingham News
By: Mike Perrin
The Birmingham News
Butch Cassidy had the Sundance Kid. Pat Sullivan had Terry Beasley. Jerry Rice had Joe Montana. Alex Trebek has Ken Jennings.
At Samford University, Efrem Hill has Ray Nelson.
Or, Ray Nelson has Efrem Hill.
As buddy teams go, heading into their final two games, the two senior Bulldogs will always be linked as a pass-and-catch tandem unlike any other in the Homewood school's history.
While piling up offensive statistics to rewrite the Samford offensive record book, roommates Nelson and Hill have built a relationship to last a lifetime.
"Me and Ray," said Hill, the wide receiver from Atlanta, "we're almost like brothers.
"We do everything together - like brothers."
"He's a good roommate," said Nelson, the quarterback from Theodore. "He's a very clean person, he makes the bed and keeps the room clean. He's a very caring person, too."
Nelson is Samford's all-time leading passer, throwing for 7,590 yards so far, breaking Bart Yancey's record of 6,500 in the Bulldogs' sixth game this season. He also holds the school record for total offense (9,123 yards and counting), touchdown passes (46) and points responsible for (476, so far).
This season, Nelson is No.1 in Division I-AA in producing points (188 - 20.89 a game), second in total offense (350.4 yards a game) and fourth in passing (222 of 390 for 2,447 yards, 19 touchdowns and nine interceptions).
As an added bonus, Nelson - last year's All-Ohio Valley Conference quarterback - has been healthy most of this season and has become the Bulldogs' top runner. His 707 yards on the ground is a season-best for Samford quarterbacks.
"I think the rushing yards are a surprise," Nelson said. "That has helped the team since we have two freshmen running backs. I think we've been consistent in our passing game. I think the numbers are pretty good, I just wish the interceptions could be down and the completion percentage could be up."
Hill set the OVC on fire in an All-American season as a junior. In Samford's first year in the league, Hill was the offensive player of the year and the male athlete of the year. He led the nation in receiving yards per game (126.09), was second in receptions per game and third in total receiving yards (8.36 and 1,387). His 92 catches were a Samford season record as were his 16 receptions against Jacksonville State and his 223 yards receiving against UT-Martin.
This year Hill has been slowed somewhat by offseason groin surgery and opponents' double-teams. Still, Hill is sixth in the nation in total receiving yards and receptions per game (928 yards and 7.11 catches) and seventh in receiving yards per game (103.11).
"This year, I think teams are more focused on making me stay in front of them," Hill said. "A lot of teams move the corners back or the safeties back, that's why I'm getting a lot of the little 3-yard catches."
Besides drawing double coverage on the field, Hill is also attracting a lot of attention from NFL scouts. "When they keep coming back," head coach Bill Gray said, "you know they are interested."
Jacksonville State coach Jack Crowe said Hill was not just a player who would make a National Football League roster. "He's going to play on Sundays," the coach said.
"It's a dream you have as a little kid," the 6-foot-2, 185-pounder said. "When I was young, I'd watch Jerry Rice on TV catching touchdowns, so it's a dream to make it to that level. But, it was a dream to play college football."
Nelson, who at 5-foot-11, 210 pounds is not NFL material, said he believes his roommate's chances are good and that's good for their school.
"I think he's got a shot," he said, "and I think that's a great opportunity for Samford. I know we've had some players who played pro ball, but I'm not sure we've ever had someone who has been looked at so much by the scouts like Efrem has."
Aryvia Holmes, who held many of the receiving records Hill has broken, is in his first season as a Samford assistant. Before a knee injury knocked him out, Holmes was making waves as an af2 arena football star.
"Aryvia is always putting a bug in my ear that I'd make a good arena football player because I've got a quick release and I'm quite mobile," Nelson said. "If the chance came along, I'd love to play football. But, if it doesn't happen, I'm looking to get into coaching. If that opportunity opens, I'd love to take that, also."
After suffering through a five-game losing streak, Hill and Nelson will lead Samford into Saturday's 4 p.m. game at Jacksonville State on a roll. The Bulldogs have won three straight.
"A lot of times when a team goes on a losing streak like that, people tend to divide and go in different directions," Hill said, "but it brought us together."
Nelson said the Bulldogs strengthened their resolve during the streak that included two losses in multiple overtimes. "I think coming up short two or three times in a row, we kind of figured things can't get worse, so let's keep doing what we're doing and maybe the breaks will start coming our way," he said. "I think Coach did a great job keeping everyone focused and now we're on a new streak."
