Sept. 1, 2011

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 practice in preparation for Saturday's season-opener against third-ranked Georgia Southern.

Samford head coach Pat Sullivan said he feels good about the preparation and work his team has put in to get ready for the season.

"It's time to play now," Sullivan said. "You always want another rep, you always want a little more time, but it is time to play and our guys have worked hard."

The Bulldogs are looking for their first win over a top-10 ranked opponent since Oct. 8, 1994, when the Bulldogs defeated No. 6 UCF, 36-35. A win Saturday would also mark the program's first victory over a top-five ranked opponent since defeating No. 4 Eastern Kentucky, 46-14 on Oct. 10, 1992.

Samford and Georgia Southern are meeting for the seventh time, with the all-time series tied at 3-3. The Eagles won the first three meetings in the series, but Samford has claimed the last three games since joining the Southern Conference in 2008. Last season, Samford earned a 20-13 win in Statesboro, Ga.

The Bulldogs will hold a brief final walk-through Friday afternoon at Seibert Stadium.

The team's season-opener against Georgia Southern is scheduled for a 6 p.m. kickoff from Seibert Stadium on Sept. 3. The game can be heard live on the Samford Sports Network, including Samford's on-campus station, WVSU-FM 91.1, or worldwide on the internet at www.samford.edu/wvsu.