March 7, 2007

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - A trip to ACC power Georgia Tech and a season-opening home game against in-state foe West Alabama highlights the 2007 Samford football schedule, released by Director of Athletics Bob Roller and Head Football Coach Pat Sullivan on Wednesday.

"I think opening up at home on a Thursday night against an in-state team will be exciting for the Samford family," Sullivan said. "I know (West Alabama Head Coach) Bobby (Wallace) will have a strong team. Going over to Atlanta the next week to play Georgia Tech will be something our players will look forward to. And then, being back at home the next week against Presbyterian, we will have to be ready to play in each of those games.

"Our conference schedule is very formidable," Sullivan said. "We play two teams that played in the playoffs last season and finished the season ranked in the top 15."

Samford opens the 2007 season on Thursday, Aug. 30, when the Bulldogs play host to West Alabama. The Bulldogs will then travel to Georgia Tech for the second year in a row and the third time in the last four years. Samford will wrap up its non-conference schedule on Thursday, Sept. 13, when the Bulldogs play host to Presbyterian College.

Samford opens the Ohio Valley Conference portion of its schedule on Sept. 22, when the Bulldogs play host to Southeast Missouri. The weekend of the SEMO game is Family Weekend on the Samford campus. Samford will then travel to Eastern Kentucky on Sept. 29.

After an open date on Oct. 6, Samford will play at defending conference co-champion and NCAA playoff participant Tennessee-Martin on Oct. 13. Homecoming is scheduled for Oct. 20 when Samford will host new conference member Austin Peay.

Samford heads back on the road on Oct. 27, playing at Tennessee Tech. After the Tennessee Tech game, Samford will have back-to-back home games against Jacksonville State (Nov. 3) and Tennessee State (Nov. 10).

Samford will conclude the 2007 regular season on Nov. 17, when the Bulldogs play at Eastern Illinois, who has won at least a share of the last two OVC championships.

2007 SAMFORD FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Aug. 30 (Thurs.), West Alabama, 7:00 p.m.
Sept. 8, at Georgia Tech, TBA
Sept. 13 (Thurs.), Presbyterian College, 7:00 p.m.
Sept. 22, Southeast Missouri* (Family Weekend), 6:00 p.m.
Sept. 29, at Eastern Kentucky*, TBA
Oct. 13, at Tennessee-Martin*, TBA
Oct. 20, Austin Peay* (HC), TBA
Oct. 27, at Tennessee Tech*, TBA
Nov. 3, Jacksonville State*, TBA
Nov. 10, Tennessee State*, TBA
Nov. 17, at Eastern Illinois* TBA