BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford football team starts the 2022 season at Seibert Stadium when the Bulldogs host No. 8 Kennesaw State on Thursday, September 1.
The Season opener is slated for a 6 p.m. kickoff and can be steamed on
ESPN+ where Curt Bloom, Damian Mitchell and Blake Gardner will have the call.
For this week's complete game notes, Click
here.
Samford is coming off a 4-7 fall 2021 season and looks to return to the FCS playoffs for the first time since 2017.
The Bulldogs and the Owls of Kennesaw State are meeting for just the fourth time and the first time in Birmingham since the 2017 home opener.
Hiers Looking to Keep Historic QB Play Going
Juco transfer QB
Michael Hiers is positioned to take the first snaps under center for the Bulldogs on Thursday night against Kennesaw State. Last season at Northwest Mississippi Community College, Hiers threw for 3,093 and 21 touchdowns on the way to being named the No. 1 Pro style Juco QB in the nation by Rivals. Hiers replaces record-setting
Liam Welch, who passed for 6,000 yards during his Samford career.
Hatcher's Offenses Produce
Through his first seven seasons, Samford head coach
Chris Hatcher's offenses have averaged more points than under any other head coach in program history. Entering the season, Hatcher's teams have averaged 34.8 points per game, ahead of Bobby Bowden's 28.57
average. Terry Bowden (1987-1992) averaged 27.92 points per game during his tenure while Bill Gray (2001-06 / 25.68) and Pat Sullivan (2007-14 / 25.50) round out the top five.
Putting Up Points
Over the last seven seasons under head coach
Chris Hatcher, the Samford offense has scored at least 30 points 42 times. The unit has put up at least 40 points 25 times, and at least 50 points a total of 11 times.
Quick Strikes
In seven seasons under head coach
Chris Hatcher, Samford has made a habit of quick scoring drives. In Hatcher's time at Samford, Samford has had 164 scoring drives of two minutes or less and 71 that have lasted one minute or less.
Graduate Students Making an Impact
Samford features 11 graduate students on its 2021 roster.
Nathan East (LB),
Bradley Porcellato (P),
Torrence Pollard (DB),
Emmanuel Flowers (DB),
Hakeem Johnson (DB),
DeAndre Williams (RB),
Dakota Chapman (RB/TE),
Tay Berry (DL),
Gavin Orr (OL),
Kendall Watson (WR),
Seth Simmer (DL).
Samford In Season Openers
Samford has an all-time record of 48-54-4 in season opening games. During the fall 2021 season, Samford opened the season with a 52-17 victory over Tennessee Tech. In season openers at home, Samford has a mark of 35-13-2. The Bulldogs are 5-2 in season openers under head coach
Chris Hatcher. The team has won all five of the season openers at home under Hatcher.
Samford Against Georgia Teams
Samford has an all-time record of 32-37-2 against teams from the state of Georgia, including a mark of 1-2 against Thursday's opponent, Kennesaw State.
Against A-Sun Conference Teams
Against the current members of the Atlantic Sun Conference, Samford has an all-time record of 38-38-6, including a 1-2 record against Thursday night's opponent, Kennesaw State. Samford's record against each current A-SUN member is: Austin Peay (8-1), Central Arkansas (2-2), Eastern Kentucky (1-8), Jacksonville State (21-23-2), Kennesaw State (1-2) and North Alabama (5-6-2).
Trio of Bulldogs Named to All-SoCon Preseason Teams
Graduate Student
Nathan East was named first-team Preseason first team All-SoCon Linebacker in July at SoCon Media Days. Fellow Bulldogs
Gavin Orr and
Bradley Porcellato were named to the second team.
Top Dogs
At the conclusion of the fall 2021 season, Samford ranked in the top 10 nationally in five categories including total offensive (10th), passing offense (ninth), scoring offense (sixth), red zone offensive (ninth) and punt returns (second).
On This Date
Samford has an all-time record of 3-1-1 in games played on Sept. 1. The last time the Bulldogs played a game on the date was in 2016, a 77-7 thumbing of Mars Hill. Samford fell to Salem 82-9 in 1984, tied Alabama State 24-24 in 1990 topped Edward Waters 60-7 in 2005.
Charles Williams Memorial Jersey Winner Returns
The first-ever recepient of the Charles Williams Memorial Jersey, Ossie Buchannon returns to Seibert Stadium on Thursday night as Kennesaw State's Special Teams Coordinator and wide receivers coach. During his career at Samford, Ossie Buchannan caught 130 passes for 1,472 yards and nine touchdowns.
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).
