Football 11.9.23

The Chris Hatcher Show: Nov. 9, 2023

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Each week during the 2023 season, we will release The Chris Hatcher Show. The show hosted this season by Tyler Brain and featuring head football coach Chris Hatcher, will look back at the previous week's football game and look forward to the upcoming contest.

The Bulldogs are coming off their annual bye week but before the bye, Samford trounced The Citadel on Homecoming by a score of 37-7. Michael Hiers threw for three scores and it was a historic day for running back Jay Stanton. Samford's defense also held The Citadel's offense to only one trip to the end zone.

"It was a great win. Appreciate all the crowd and the support that not only we got The Citadel game, but this entire season. It was a game that we were supposed to win, we were heavily favored. We had a quick start and we took care of business like we were supposed to and that is what you're supposed to do in a game where you are favored by a lot of points like we were. All three phases go into it and it was a great day. Fortunately, we were able to have a bye week after nine straight games and it was good to get away a little bit to get a little rest. It seems like our guys are rejuvenated and refreshed and ready to go at it again this week."

During the game against The Citadel, Stanton became the second all-time leading rusher in school history and tied Brady Jones' career rushing touchdown mark at 34. If Stanton finds the end zone on the ground at any point in the final two games, will claim the career rushing touchdown crown.

"Well, I didn't know that he broke the record until after the game. Everybody was giving him high fives and patting him on the back in the locker room after the game. It is very well deserved. We talk about him on this show it seems like every week. He has been here a long time. He has been a very durable, constant and reliable player for us and those are the things you look for when you sign guys out of high school. Any accolades that he has earned, he has deserved. Hopefully, he can add to those totals here this week and put that touchdown total out of reach for quite some time.."

Not to be outdone by the offense, the Samford defensive unit also showed out against The Citadel as the Bulldogs from Birmingham only allowed seven points to the Bulldogs from Charleston. At halftime of the contest, Samford had only allowed 80 yards and zero through the air.

"I thought we were relentless. The Citadel comes in and they have a lot of different plays, a lot of different formations. I thought that we adjusted well. We were able to stop the run and then we gave up one big play on a fourth down, and we turned a guy loose. Other than that, I thought we played possibly as good as we have all season. If you can play defense like that each week, it always gives you a chance to win."

The closing act of the 2023 regular season starts on Saturday as the Bulldogs head to Macon for the final Southern Conference showdown of the season with the No. 23 Macon Bears. Last season these two squads played an instant classic in Birmingham that ended in double overtime and gave Samford an outright conference title for the first time since the 1930s.

"The Monday speech never chances. It is all about us and we play faceless opponents and then we get into talking about the other team a little bit. Mercer is a very well-coached football team. They have a tremendous program located in my hometown, so it is always good to go see family and friends. Their front seven defensively may be one of the best in the league, they really get after you. Then offensively, traditionally they have been a heavy run team and they still are. Coach Cronic does a great job with that offense, but they have two of the best playmakers in the league. It possesses a lot of problems, you double team one of them, you leave the other one singled up and you lighten the box. If you load the box to stop the run, those guys are almost impossible to cover in one-on-one situations. We are going to have our work cut out. Like you said, they are a top 20 ranked team in the country, very well deserving. We feel like we are a good team and we are excited about the opportunity hopefully we go down there and play to the very best of our abilities.

Samford's final road game of the year is slated for a 2 p.m. CT kickoff on Saturday, November 11. Frank Malloy and Jason Patterson will have the call on ESPN+.

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

#20 Jay Stanton: RB; 6' 0"; Senior

#10 Michael Hiers: QB; 6' 1"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#20 Jay Stanton
: 6' 0"; Senior
: RB

#10 Michael Hiers
: 6' 1"; Junior
: QB

Samford University Athletics

Players Mentioned

#20 Jay Stanton

#10 Michael Hiers

Players Mentioned

#20 Jay Stanton

#10 Michael Hiers