MEDIA DAY LIVE STREAM ARCHIVE

SPARTANBURG, S.C. –The Southern Conference coaches picked Samford to finish second in the league's annual preseason football poll released at the SoCon's annual Media Day Wednesday.
 
The Southern Conference Sports Media Association (SCSMA) also released its preseason poll, with Samford coming in third.
 
Samford, which will be under the direction of first-year head coach Chris Hatcher, returns seven starters on offense and seven starters on defense. The Bulldogs' 2014 squad finished with a record of 7-4 overall and 5-2 in SoCon play.
 
In the coaches' poll, Samford received 40 points, including one first-place vote. The Bulldogs finished second to defending SoCon champion Chattanooga, which received 49 points and seven first-place votes.
 
Western Carolina was voted third by the coaches. The Catamounts were followed by Wofford, Furman, Mercer, The Citadel and VMI.
 
In the media poll, Samford received 176 points. The Bulldogs finished third behind Chattanooga (239 points) and Western Carolina (190 points). Following Samford in the media poll were Wofford, Furman, Mercer, The Citadel and VMI.
 
Samford will open the 2015 season on Thursday, Sept. 3, when the Bulldogs play host to Central Arkansas. The game is scheduled for a 6 p.m. start from Seibert Stadium. Fans can purchase season tickets through the athletics website at www.samfordsports.com/tickets, by calling 205-726-DOGS (3647) or by visiting the ticket office on the third floor of the Pete Hanna Center. 
 
2015 SoCon Football Preseason Coaches Poll
School (First-place votes)        Points
1.          Chattanooga (7)               49
2.          Samford (1)                     40
3.          Western Carolina              38
4.          Wofford                            30
5.          Furman                            22
6.          Mercer                             20
7.          The Citadel                       18
8.          VMI                                   7
 
NOTE: Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own teams
 
2015 SoCon Football Preseason Media Poll
School (First-place votes)            Points
1.       Chattanooga (29)                   239
2.       Western Carolina (1)              190
3.       Samford                               176
4.       Wofford                                 148
5.       Furman                                 120
6.       Mercer                                   93
7.       The Citadel                             82
8.       VMI                                        32