Aug. 14, 2005

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford football team announced its captains for the 2005 football season on Sunday. Seniors Ossie Buchannon, Cortland Finnegan, Kevin Pughsley and Steve Wisdom will serve as the team's captains this season.

Buchannon, a wide receiver from Birmingham, is the team's leading returning receiver. In 2004, Buchannon caught 43 passes for 400 yards and a touchdown.

Finnegan, a safety from Milton, Fla., has led the team in tackles the last two years, and has been named first-team All-Conference for the Ohio Valley Conference in both 2003 and 2004. In 2003, Finnegan was named third-team All-American, and he was named the OVC's Defensive Player of the Year.

Pughsley is an offensive lineman from Madison, Miss. He has been a starter and a leader of the offensive line throughout his career. In 2003, Pughsley led an offensive line that allowed the fewest sacks in the OVC, and he did not allow a sack, starting every contest.

Wisdom is a defensive end from Tuscumbia, Ala. Last season, he registered 38 tackles, including 3.5 tackles for a loss. He tied for the team lead in sacks last season with two, and he recovered one fumble.

Samford opens the 2005 regular season on Thursday, September 1, when the Bulldogs play host to Edward Waters. Kickoff for the game is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at Seibert Stadium.