BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Samford Head Football Coach Chris Hatcher said he liked what he saw, overall, from his team as the Bulldogs went through their second scrimmage of spring early Friday morning at Seibert Stadium.
 
"We were trying to work a lot of guys in there to see which is our best combination at all positions," Hatcher said. "I thought that both groups did a good job in certain areas. The defense forced a few turnovers, but then it was bad that the offense turned it over. I thought we ran the ball well today. DeMarcus Ware has really stepped up his game from last year, he'll be a very big part of what we do this upcoming season."


 
Quarterbacks Liam Welch and Chris Oladokun split time with the first and second teams. Both quarterbacks led scoring drives. Welch hit Montrell Washington for a 50-yard touchdown, and he later connected with Robert Adams on a 25-yard score. Oladokun tossed a 25-yard touchdown to Pete Dorsten.
 
"The quarterback race is still up in the air," Hatcher said. "Both of them have had good days and bad days. I just want to see a guy who is going to be consistent and be able to lead the team."
 
Backup quarterbacks Ty Hatcher and Cade Blackmon also saw time in the scrimmage. Hatcher hit Peyton Ringer for a 15-yard touchdown, while Blackmon connected with Sean Hershey for a 20-yard score.
 
The offense also produced two rushing touchdowns. Jeremiah Roberts scored a pair of touchdowns, one nine-yard score, and one from two yards out.
 
The defense produced some big plays as well. Ty Herring forced a fumble, and John Staton came up with the recovery. Joshua Long caused a fumble and returned it for a touchdown. Tucker Queen had an interception for the defense as well.
 
Hatcher said that while he is pleased with the progress the team has made so far, the squad still has a long way to go to be ready for the season.
 
"All-in-all, it's been a good spring," Hatcher said. "We just have a lot of new bodies and a lot of new faces that we're trying to figure out what they can do well. I think we've gotten better in some areas we need to improve in, but we have a long way to go. We have some good senior leadership, but we have a lot of new faces that haven't taken a lot of snaps that are going to have to play and play a lot for us this season."
 
Samford will return to practice Monday at 4:01 p.m. The spring will conclude with a scrimmage next Friday, April 19, at 6:01 a.m.