Oct. 29, 2009

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford football team practiced for about an hour in shorts and helmets Thursday afternoon at Seibert Stadium. The practice was the final full workout in preparation for Saturday's Southern Conference game at The Citadel.

Samford head coach Pat Sullivan said he liked the way his team approached Thursday's practice as it prepares to go on the road this weekend.

"Today was a good practice," Sullivan said. "Everybody had their mind on their business. They know we have a big ballgame coming up."

The Samford defense enters the week as, statistically, one of the top defenses in the nation. The Bulldogs rank fourth in the nation in total defense, allowing 241.57 yards per game. The defense ranks sixth in the nation in rushing defense, giving up 81.57 rushing yards per game, and the unit is 10th in the nation in scoring defense, giving up just 14.71 points per game.

The Bulldogs rank second in the Southern Conference in total defense, scoring defense, rushing defense and passing defense. Sullivan said the defense has played well together this year

"They've played together as a unit," Sullivan said. "When somebody's gotten hurt, others have stepped up. John Michael Clay has had a really good year for us at defensive end. Obviously, Bryce Smith has played well at linebacker, and Ty Levie has had an exceptional year for us in the secondary."

The Bulldogs will depart the Samford campus Friday morning for Charleston, S.C. The team will hold a walk-through Friday at 5:30 p.m. at Johnson Hagood Stadium.

Saturday's game at The Citadel is scheduled for a 12 p.m. (CT) kickoff from Johnson Hagood Stadium in Charleston, S.C. The game can be heard locally on WVSU-FM 91.1, or worldwide on the internet at www.samford.edu/wvsu.