Sept. 30, 2004

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford University football team worked out for a little under two hours on Thursday as the Bulldogs continued their preparation for Saturday's 6 p.m. contest against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels at Seibert Stadium.

"This was a typical Thursday practice for us," said Samford head coach Bill Gray. "We polished up some things that we've been working on and we've eliminated some of the things that we don't like. Our team has performed well this week and we're ready for another challenge against another quality opponent."

Samford (1-3, 0-1 OVC) practiced in shorts and shells on Thursday and spent a primary portion of the workout putting the finishing touches on its game plan for Eastern Kentucky.

The Colonels enter Saturday's contest with an 0-3 overall record on the season and an 0-1 mark against conference opponents. Eastern Kentucky dropped its first three games of the 2004 campaign will losses against Appalachian State, 49-21, Western Kentucky, 21-8, and Jacksonville State, 30-23.

The Bulldogs worked out at the campus practice fields on Thursday and continued to prepare for Eastern Kentucky by using both individual and team drills. For a predominant portion of the practice, Samford remained in position groups before combining to form a full compliment of both offensive and defensive team units.

"Eastern Kentucky was the No. 1-ranked team in the conference to start the season and right now they are in the same position that we are," Gray said. "We're excited about being able to go out and play again. I think that our team recognizes the fact that these conference games are really big regardless of who were playing and with a win, we could be right back in it at 1-1."

Samford implemented some of the final aspects of its game plan on Thursday and will hold a typical walk-through practice on Friday in Seibert Stadium beginning at 4:15 p.m. During the walk-through, the team is expected to focus on more of the mental aspects of the upcoming game.

The Samford University football team will challenge the Eastern Kentucky Colonels on Saturday at 6 p.m., at Seibert Stadium.

Saturday's contest can be heard live on WVSU-FM 91.1, or worldwide via the internet at www.samfordsports.com. The game will also be televised on a tape-delay basis by ACN Sports. The broadcast can be seen on WOTM-TV in Birmingham at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday and at 10:30 p.m. on Monday.

Samford will also honor the 1984 football team at Saturday's game.

Samford University reinstated football in 1984 at the Division III level and this season marks the 20th Anniversary of the return of college football to the Samford campus.

This weekend is Family Weekend on the Samford campus. A full schedule of the weekend's events can be found on the Samford University web page at www.samford.edu.