Sept. 21, 2006

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford football team practiced for about two hours in shells Thursday afternoon at Seibert Stadium. The Bulldogs put the final touches on their game plan for Saturday's game against 20th-ranked and defending Ohio Valley Conference champion Eastern Illinois.

Eastern Illinois enters the game with the top passing offense and the second-rated rushing offense in the Ohio Valley Conference. Mike O'Toole, Samford's assistant head coach/defensive coordinator, said the Bulldogs have a big test coming up on Saturday.

"They are a very good running football team," O'Toole said. "They are going to test us. Hopefully we are a little stronger there than we were last year."

O'Toole said he likes what he has seen from some of the leaders on the defense.

"I believe Steve Tennin is one of our leaders on defense," O'Toole said. "He is a guy who comes out here and keeps us revved up at practice, because he lives it, he doesn't just talk it, he lives it. But we have several guys who are really doing a good job for us. T.C. Myers is another one of our leaders on defense."

Samford will hold a final walk-through for Saturday's game Friday afternoon at 4:15 p.m. Saturday's game is scheduled for a 6:00 p.m. kickoff from Seibert Stadium.

The game can be heard locally on WVSU-FM 91.1, or worldwide on the internet at www.al.com/wvsu or www.samfordsports.com. The game can also be viewed on the internet via web streaming at www.ovcsports.tv.