June 15, 2004

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Samford senior receiver Efrem Hill and junior safety Cortland Finnegan were named to the preseason I-AA All-America team by Street & Smith's College Football Annual.

Both players had outstanding seasons in 2003. Hill was named the Ohio Valley Conference's Offensive Player of the Year and was a consensus All-American and finalist for the Walter Payton Award for the top player in I-AA football. Hill was also named the OVC's Male Athlete of the Year.

During the 2003 season, Hill had a breakout year and led the OVC in receptions per game (8.36 rpg.), receiving yards per game (126.1 ypg.), scoring (8.2 ppg.) and scoring by a touchdown (8.2 ppg.). He also led the nation in receiving yards per game and was second in receptions per game. His 1,387 receiving yards ranked third in the nation and are the most in Samford history.

Finnegan was named the OVC's Defensive Player of the Year and was a third-team All-American. He led the OVC in tackles, averaging leading 9.8 stops per game. Finnegan was third in the conference in passes defended with 11, and he tied for the team lead with three interceptions on the season.

The Bulldogs will kickoff the 2004 season on Saturday, August 28, when they take on West Alabama. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. at Seibert Stadium.