Aug. 24, 2007

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford football team practiced for about an hour and 45 minutes in shells Friday afternoon at Seibert Stadium.

Following the practice, head coach Pat Sullivan announced the names of the captains for the team's season opener against West Alabama.

The two offensive captains are senior wide receiver Jeff Moore and senior running back Marcus Rice. The two defensive captains are senior linebacker Jay McCurty and junior linebacker Rodney Shepherd. The special teams' captain is redshirt freshman Trent McKnight.

Moore led the team in receiving last season, catching 49 passes for 668 yards and five touchdowns. Rice was the team's leading rusher in 2006 with 67 rushes for 322 and two touchdowns.

Shepherd led the team in tackles last season with 82, including 61 solo stops and 5.5 tackles for a loss. McCurty was second on the team in tackles with 52, including 44 solo tackles and 4.5 tackles for a loss.

Samford will practice again Saturday morning when the team goes through a game rehearsal in shorts and helmets at Seibert Stadium, beginning at 9 a.m.

Samford opens the 2007 season on Thursday, Aug. 30, when the Bulldogs play host to West Alabama. The game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. kickoff.