Sept. 19, 2005
By: Joey Mullins
Samford Sports Information
In college football, most players have to slowly work their way into a starting role, but some are seemingly starters from the time they set foot on campus. Samford senior offensive lineman Kevin Pughsley is one that has been a starter his entire career at Samford.
Even as one of the leaders of the Samford offensive line, Pughsley has remained a quiet leader in his first three seasons at Samford. However, with Pughsley being named one of this year's team captains, he knows he will have to be more of a vocal leader in his final season at Samford.
"In my first three years, I have been kind of quiet," Pughsley said. "I've just made sure I've taken care of my job. But, now that my teammates have selected me as a captain, I've really felt like I've needed to step it up some and be a little more vocal. I need to let them know on the days when it is hot or we're not doing so well, we need to pick it up and keep working hard, because it will pay off on game days this season."
Pughsley, along with fellow seniors Ossie Buchannon, Cortland Finnegan and Steve Wisdom, were selected by a vote of their teammates as this year's team captains.
Of the 33 games Samford has played in his career, Pughsley has started 32 of them. He missed one start last season with an injury. In 2003, Pughsley was one of the leaders of an offensive line that allowed the fewest sacks in the Ohio Valley Conference. In that same season, Pughsley himself allowed no sacks.
"Whenever you get the chance, as a unit, to lead a certain statistical category in the conference, such as sacks allowed, that is definitely a boost to your confidence," Pughsley said. "Each person on the offensive line works hard for the person next to them and for the running back and quarterback because you are protecting them."
Like most college players, Pughsley got started early in learning about and playing the game of football.
"I always remember playing with my brothers in the backyard," Pughsley said. "Playing a little touch, and sometimes tackle football with my brothers.
"It was something I just always watched when I was younger," Pughsley said. "I always enjoyed seeing it, and when I got to seventh grade, my mom told me if I wanted to play I had to go and work out in the summer. So, ever since then I've been doing it and enjoying it."
When Pughsley reached high school, he started playing in Montgomery, Ala., but then moved with his family to Madison, Miss., where he played at Central High School.
"It was a little tough at first, changing high schools," Pughsley said. "In Montgomery, I played the full 48 minutes and never came off the field. When I moved to Mississippi, I just played offense, so I got a little more rest and was in a little better shape than the other offensive lineman."
At Central, Pughsley led his team to back-to-back Class 5A District II championships. As a senior in 2001, Pughsley did not allow a sack, and he was named second-team All-State in Mississippi.
After graduating from high school, Pughsley had several reasons for choosing to attend Samford University.
"I liked the atmosphere, and I really felt like this was where I was called to be spiritually," Pughsley said. "I also liked the education department, and I had some family around here. It was a chance for me to get my education and play football at the same time."
After enrolling at Samford and moving to Birmingham, Pughsley had to make the transition from playing high school football to playing at the collegiate level.
"It was definitely tougher, the game was a lot faster," Pughsley said. "Guys are bigger and faster at this level. You also don't have people just walking out and joining the team like in high school. You had people who were All-County, All-Conference and All-State coming out. It was definitely a step up and it was a big challenge."
In the three seasons Pughsley has spent as a starter on the offensive line for Samford, he has helped lead the program in a new era as Samford joined the Ohio Valley Conference in 2003. Despite low expectations, Samford finished third in the conference in its inaugural season in the league.
Heading into his last season in a Bulldog uniform, Pughsley still has some goals he would like to reach, personally and for the team, before he leaves Samford.
"I would like to put a ring on my finger and go to the playoffs," Pughsley said. "But, I also want to get my degree and make some long-lasting relationships, not only with my coaches, but also with my friends.
"After finishing at Samford, I plan on going ahead and getting my master's degree," Pughsley said. "I'd like to find a school, probably somewhere in Alabama. I want to teach a few years and then maybe become a principal."
