Sept. 20, 2007

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford football team practiced for about an hour and a half in shorts and helmets Thursday afternoon at Seibert Stadium. The Bulldogs are continuing to prepare for Saturday's Ohio Valley Conference opener against Southeast Missouri.

"We have had a good week of preparation," Samford head coach Pat Sullivan said. "The hay is in the barn, as they say, and it is time to play. This is our first conference game and everyone is excited. This should be a good, tough football game."

Sullivan said he likes the improvement he has seen in his team so far this season.

"We have made strides every week so far this season," Sullivan said. "Our running backs have done well. Marcus Rice, Alex Barnett and Chris Evans have all made good plays. The group that has really improved has been the offensive line.

"Defensively, the line has done a good job as well," Sullivan said. "Mark Brown has stepped up and made some good plays. Our linebackers have really done a good job this year as well. Kyle Morton has been another player who has done a good job for us this season."

Samford will hold a final walk-through for Saturday's game Friday afternoon at 4 p.m. at Seibert Stadium.

Saturday's game is scheduled for a 6 p.m. kickoff from Seibert Stadium. The game can be heard live on the Samford Radio Network. The flagship station for the network is WVSU-FM 91.1. The game can also be heard worldwide on the internet at www.al.com/wvsu, and it can be viewed on the internet at www.ovcsports.tv.