July 14, 2005

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Samford senior free safety Cortland Finnegan was named third-team pre-season All-American by I-AA.org on Thursday.

Finnegan led Samford in tackles each of the last two seasons. He had 108 tackles and a team-high three interceptions in 2003, while he tallied 86 tackles and three interceptions in just nine games last season.

In 2003, Finnegan was named the Ohio Valley Conference's Defensive Player of the Year, as well as a third-team All-American. Finnegan was named first-team All-Conference by the OVC each of the last two seasons.

Finnegan and the Bulldogs will open the 2005 season on Thursday, Sept. 1, when they play host to Edward Waters College. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at Seibert Stadium.