BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Each week during the 2022 season, we will release The
Chris Hatcher Show. The show, hosted by Kevin Blackwell and featuring head football coach
Chris Hatcher, will look back at the previous week's football game and look forward to the upcoming contest.
Samford is coming off a 33-0 defeat to the defending FBS national champion Georgia Bulldogs. Despite the loss, the head Bulldog was pleased with his team's effort in Athens on Saturday.
"I thought we handled our business well. I thought we competed at a high level. I was really pleased with how our defense played in the red zone, holding Georgia to field goals, especially early, which kept the game a little closer than people expected," Hatcher said. "We got out of there pretty much injury free, a lot of guys got reps and hopefully that'll bode well for us as we head back to our level of play this week."
The Samford defense held the Georgia offense to just three points in the second half, which was lowest point total the national champion Bulldogs have scored in a half since the 2021 season opener against Clemson.
"Defensively, we play very well the first game against Kennesaw and at times we played elite against Georgia," Hatcher said. "Coach Boone and the guys that he brought in on the defense staff have done a tremendous getting those guys playing hard and tackling well."
Along with a new defensive coaching staff comes new players as Samford started a trio of transfers in the secondary led by
Isaiah Richardson against Georgia.
"He has been playing well. He had the benefit of being here in the spring with us, he's had a little bit more reps in the system that we have.
Ty Hardimon, number four, has been playing well and a guy that I thought showed up a lot at Georgia was
Emmanuel Flowers," Hatcher said. "We have a lot of guys that we brought in that are playing well and that is what you are supposed to do."
Samford heads to Tennessee Tech on Saturday for the 25th all-time meeting between the two squads. In the last two meetings, the Samford offense is averaging 55 points per a game against the Golden Eagles.
"Every week you better be ready to play and this week is no different. I think they are a very talented team," Hatcher said. We got to go up there and play at night, it's their family weekend, so I know they'll be jacked they just came from behind and had a big win against Commerce. We better strap it up and bring our A game."
The non-conference clash is slated for a 6 p.m. CT kick and can be viewed on ESPN3 where Dylan Vazzano and Sam Brooks will have the call.
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).
