Aug. 29, 2009

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford football team went through a "mock" game for about an hour Saturday afternoon at Seibert Stadium. The Bulldogs are preparing for their season-opener at UCF next Saturday evening.

Samford head coach Pat Sullivan said the coaching staff used the workout to make sure the players are prepared for any situation that might come up during a game.

"You want to make sure you cover every situation," Sullivan said. "We had our mock scrimmage today where we tried to cover everything that could happen in a ballgame, so if something did happen, it wouldn't be a surprise to them because they had worked on it."

Sullivan said having a "mock" game every year helps the players, especially the younger players, in their preparation for the first game.

"I think it helps them," Sullivan said. "You have to go through your sideline organization. You go through all your different kinds of on-side kicks, whether it's the desperation kick where you're trying to get the ball back at the end of the game or if it's an on-side kick and they are trying to get it.

"You go through kicks after safeties and all of the various things that could happen in a ballgame," Sullivan said. "There are a lot of situations you need to make sure you cover, and I think it makes them concentrate on those things."

Sullivan said the dress rehearsal also helps the coaches as they prepare for the upcoming season.

"It helps the coaches as well, it makes us go back and think," Sullivan said. "You keep your list of things from year to year and you'll go back and look at that. Sometimes there's a rule change that you have to go over."

Samford will practice again Sunday evening. The Bulldogs will work out in shorts and helmets at 7 p.m.

"We will come out for an hour tomorrow night and let them catch a few balls under the lights," Sullivan said. "Then, they will be off on Monday, which is their normal off day, and then we will come back and get some work in on Tuesday and try to get our legs back under us before we go."

Samford opens the 2009 season on Saturday, Sept. 5, when the Bulldogs travel to Orlando, Fla., to take on the UCF Knights. The game is scheduled for a 6:30 p.m. (CT) start from Bright House Networks Stadium.