Football 12.1.22

Samford Football Opens FCS Playoffs By Hosting Southeastern Louisiana

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – For the first time in school history, the sixth-seeded Samford football team will host a home playoff game as the Bulldogs welcome the Southeastern Louisiana Lions to Seibert Stadium for the second round of the NCAA FCS Playoffs.

The highly anticipated and historic showdown is slated for a 2 p.m. CT kickoff and can be streamed on ESPN+.

For this week's complete game notes, Click here. Tickets can be purchased here.

The first 1,000 Samford University students will get into the game for free. Students looking to redeem a free ticket must report to Gate K on Saturday with their student ID.

Samford and Southeastern Louisiana are meeting for the fourth time in program history. The Lions hold a 2-1 series lead after winning the last meeting in 2013.

Samford In The Playoffs
The 2022 FCS playoffs marks the first time that the Samford Bulldogs have reached the postseason since 2017 when they lost to Kennesaw State 28-17. Overall, Samford is 2-5 in the postseason with both wins coming in 1991 when the Bulldogs reached the semifinals before falling 10-0 to eventual national champions Youngstown State.

Hatcher In The Playoffs
Over Chris Hatcher's 23 years as a head coach, Hatcher-coached teams have reached the playoffs a total of nine times. Hatcher has a record of 8-7 all-time in the postseason. Hatcher is one of three coaches left in the FCS Playoffs to have won a national championship (Valdosta State, 2004). The other two coaches are William & Mary's Mike London (Richmond, 2008) and North Dakota State's Matt Entz (NDSU, 2019 & 2021).

Streaking Samford
Heading into the Southeastern Louisiana game, Samford is riding a nine-game win streak, which is the longest by the Bulldogs in school history. The streak is also tied for the third-longest active streak in Division I.

Samford Dominates SOCON Awards
Southern Conference champion Samford was very well represented when the league office announced postseason awards on Tuesday highlighted by Chris Hatcher being named unanimous Coach of the Year and quarterback Michael Hiers being selected as unanimous Offensive Player of the Year. In addition, 11 Bulldogs earned All-SoCon recognition, including a trio of first-team selections. Offensive lineman Gavin Orr and wide receiver Chandler Smith were named to the first team by the media, while Hiers was a unanimous selection at first-team quarterback. Offensive lineman Jabari Brooks and wide receiver Kendall Watson were unanimous second-team selections. At the same time, linebacker Nathan East, defensive back Hakeem Johnson and punter Bradley Porcellato were named to the second team by the coaches. Running back Jaylan Thomas, defensive lineman Seth Simmer and defensive back Isaiah Richardson landed on the media's second team.

Hatcher Eddie Robinson Award Finalist
Following the brilliant season, head Bulldog Chris Hatcher was named one of 16 finalists for the 2022 Eddie Robinson Award, which is presented to the national coach of the year in college football's Division I Subdivision.

Hiers Watler Payton Award Finalist
Bulldog quarterback Michael Hiers was named a finalist for the Walter Payton Award, which goes to the top offensive player in all of FCS Football. Hiers is the third Samford quarterback to be named a Walter Payton Award finalist in the Chris Hatcher era, following in the footsteps of the 2018 winner Hodges and spring 2021 finalist Liam Welch.

Happy Passing
Heading into the FCS Playoffs, Michael Hiers has 35 passing touchdowns on the season. Hiers' 35 touchdowns are the third most in the FCS this season and the second most of any QB remaining in the playoffs. Hiers sits one passing touchdown off of Delvin Hodges' school and SoCon's record of 36 passing touchdowns in a single season.

1,000 Yard Wide Outs
Entering the Southeastern Louisiana game, the wide receiver duo of Chandler Smith and Kendall Watson both have 850+ receiving yards on the season. Smith needs 109 yards and Watson needs 149 yards to become the first Bulldog tandem to reach 1,000 yards in the same season

Moving The Chains
On the season, Samford has 262 first downs on offense. If the Bulldogs record 36 more first downs on the season, they would break the record of 298 that was set by the 2018 team. Samford is averaging 23.8 first downs per game. With a large number of first downs, comes a large amount of plays. Samford has run 824 plays during the 2022 season, which is 87 plays short of the 2013 record of 911. The Bulldogs have averaged 74.9 plays per game this season.

Block Party
With his block in overtime against Mercer, Fred Flavors became the first Bulldog in the Chris Hatcher era to back multiple field goals in the same season. Flavors is one of 31 players in the FCS to block at least a pair of field goals this season.

Free Football
Following the thrilling overtime victory over Mercer to claim the conference title, the Samford Bulldogs are 2-7 in overtime during the Hatcher Era.

Nationally Ranked Dogs
The high-flying aerial act of Michael Hiers has the junior ranked top 10 nationally in completion percentage (76.9%/1st), completions per game (29.9/2nd), passing efficiency (167/8th), passing touchdowns (35/3rd), passing yards (3,290/7th), passing yards per game (229.1/4th), points responsible for (288/4th), points responsible per game (20.7/4th) and total offense (313.7.3/4th). Chandler Smith ranks sixth nationally while ranking fourth with 7.8 receptions per game. Fred Flavors ranks fourth nationally with 1.6 passes defended per game.

Putting Up Points
Over the last eight seasons under head coach Chris Hatcher, the Samford offense has scored at least 30 points 49 times. The unit has put up at least 40 points 26 times, and at least 50 points a total of 13 times.

Quick Strikes
In eight seasons under head coach Chris Hatcher, Samford has made a habit of quick scoring drives. In Hatcher's time at Samford, Samford has had 176 scoring drives of two minutes or less and 79 that have lasted one minute or less.

Samford Against Louisiana Teams
Samford has an all-time record of 19-21-3 against teams from the state of Louisiana, including a mark of 1-2 against Saturday's opponent, Southeastern Louisiana.

Against Southland Teams
Against the current members of the Southland Conference, Samford has an all-time record of 7-13, including a 1-2 record against Saturday night's opponent, Southeastern Louisiana. Samford's record against each current Southland member is: Incarnate Word (0-0), Northwestern State (1-0), Texas A&M - Commerce (0-0), Nicholls State (5-7), McNeese State (0-4), Houston Christian (0-0) and Lamar (0-0).
On This Date
Samford has never played on December 3rd. Overall, The Bulldogs have only played a total of nine games in the month of December going 6-2-1. Between the years of 1928 and 1961, Samford went 3-0-1.

Hatcher Climbed The Winning Charts
Following the victory over VMI, head coach Chris Hatcher improved his record to 48-37 at Samford to surpass Pat Sullivan (47) for most wins by a coach in program history.

One Last Ride
Samford recognized 28 seniors on senior day against Mercer including Tay Berry, Cade Blackmon, Dakota Chapman, Judd Cockett, Nathan East, Trey Elston, Fred Flavors, Emmanuel Flowers, Koi Freeman, Austin Guyse, Ty Hardimon, Will Hudson, Hakeem Johnson, Drew Mims, Miles Morris, Gavin Orr, Torrence Pollard, Bradley Porcellato, Peter Renkoski, Isaiah Richardson, Seth Simmer, Chandler Smith, Khalid Thomas, Jaylan Thomas, J.R. Tran-Reno, Kendall Watson, Zach Williams and Ty Hatcher.

FOLLOW THE BULLDOGS:
For the latest news and information on Samford football, visit the official website for Samford Athletics at SamfordSports.com. Fans can also follow the Bulldogs on social media at /SamfordFootball (Facebook), @SamfordFootball (Instagram) and @SamfordFootball (Twitter).

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Players Mentioned

#7 Liam Welch: QB; 6' 2"; Graduate Student

#44 Tay Berry: DT; 6' 2"; Graduate Student

#15 Cade Blackmon: QB; 5' 11"; Junior

#62 Jabari Brooks: OL; 6' 3"; Junior

#30 Dakota Chapman: TE; 6' 2"; Graduate Student

#5 Nathan East: LB; 6' 2"; Graduate Student

#65 Austin Guyse: OL; 6' 4"; Senior

#11 Will Hudson: QB; 5' 11"; Senior

#16 Hakeem Johnson: CB; 6' 3"; Graduate Student

#17 Miles Morris: QB; 6' 2"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#7 Liam Welch
: 6' 2"; Graduate Student
: QB

#44 Tay Berry
: 6' 2"; Graduate Student
: DT

#15 Cade Blackmon
: 5' 11"; Junior
: QB

#62 Jabari Brooks
: 6' 3"; Junior
: OL

#30 Dakota Chapman
: 6' 2"; Graduate Student
: TE

#5 Nathan East
: 6' 2"; Graduate Student
: LB

#65 Austin Guyse
: 6' 4"; Senior
: OL

#11 Will Hudson
: 5' 11"; Senior
: QB

#16 Hakeem Johnson
: 6' 3"; Graduate Student
: CB

#17 Miles Morris
: 6' 2"; Junior
: QB

Samford University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Players Mentioned