Oct. 14, 2009

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford football team practiced for about two hours in shells Wednesday afternoon at Seibert Stadium. The Bulldogs are continuing to prepare for Saturday's Southern Conference road game at Furman.

Samford head coach Pat Sullivan said the team is making progress as it continues working on the game plan for Saturday's game.

"It still wasn't quite as polished as I had hoped, but I thought we had a good practice," Sullivan said. "I think the spirit is good and everybody knows what's at stake."

Samford enters Saturday's game ranked second in the SoCon in total defense and scoring defense, allowing just 228.7 yards and 12.8 points per game. Furman has one of the top offenses in the league. The Paladins rank third in the league in total offense and scoring offense, averaging 391.2 yards and 28.0 points per game.

Sullivan said he likes the way his team has bounced back from last week's loss to Chattanooga, and that the Bulldogs are looking forward to playing one of the SoCon's best teams.

"I don't think there is any question they are disappointed about last week, but the great thing about athletics is you get a chance to play again," Sullivan said. "Not only do we get to play again, but we get to play against one of the top teams in our conference and in the country."

Samford will practice again Thursday in shells. The practice is scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m. at Seibert Stadium.

Saturday's game is scheduled for a 1 p.m. (CT) kickoff from Furman's Paladin Stadium. The game can be heard locally on WVSU-FM 91.1, or worldwide on the internet at www.samford.edu/wvsu.