Aug. 12, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford football team practiced for about an hour and a half in full pads in a rain-soaked Seibert Stadium Tuesday morning.

The practice was the 11th practice of fall camp for the Bulldogs.

"We shortened practice a little with the rain," Samford head coach Pat Sullivan said. "We wanted to get in some goal-line work, and we had a good goal-line scrimmage at the end of practice. It was a good practice."

Sullivan said he saw some bright spots on both the offense and the defense during Tuesday's practice.

"A couple of young guys really caught your eye," Sullivan said. "Jeremy Towns made some nice plays, and that is good to see on defense. Jonathan Sillers made a couple of good runs. It was good on both sides. We were just glad to get this practice in."

Sullivan also said that fifth-year senior quarterback Dante Williams will undergo surgery and will miss the season due to a knee injury suffered on the second play of Saturday's scrimmage.

"We've lost Dante for the season," Sullivan said. "He's going to be captain for our first game, and what a leader he has been for all of the young quarterbacks. I can't say enough about Dante."

Samford will practice twice on Wednesday. The Bulldogs will practice in full pads at 8:20 a.m., and they will practice in shorts and helmets at 3:10 p.m.

Samford opens the 2008 season on Thursday, Aug. 28, when the Bulldogs play host to West Georgia. The game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. kickoff from Seibert Stadium.