BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford football team will wrap up the 2024 season by playing host to Western Carolina Saturday at 2 p.m. at Pete Hanna Stadium.
 
The game can be seen live on ESPN+, and live stats will also be available. For links to follow all of Samford's games this season, click here: 2024 SCHEDULE.
 
For a full set of this week's game notes click here: GAME NOTES.
 
Samford has a record of 4-6 overall and 3-3 in Southern Conference play after an impressive 36-13 win at 19^th-ranked Chattanooga last Saturday. Western Carolina has a mark of 6-5 overall and 5-2 in Southern Conference play following a 58-28 win over VMI last week.

Samford and Western Carolina are meeting for the 22nd time, with Samford owning a 17-4 series lead. Last season, Western Carolina earned a 30-7 win in Cullowhee, N.C. The last time the teams played at Pete Hanna Stadium, Samford picked up a 35-12 win on its way to the 2022 Southern Conference championship. Since Samford joined the Southern Conference in 2008, the Bulldogs are 13-3 against the Catamounts.
 
HATCHER'S OFFENSES PRODUCE
Through the last nine-plus seasons, Samford head coach Chris Hatcher's offenses have averaged more points than under any other head coach in program history. Entering the week, Hatcher's teams have averaged 32.95 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 nine-plus seasons under head coach Chris Hatcher, the Samford offense has scored at least 30 points 52 times. The unit has put up at least 40 points 29 times, and at least 50 points a total of 15 times.
 
QUICK STRIKES
In the nine-plus seasons under head coach Chris Hatcher, Samford has made a habit of quick scoring drives. In Hatcher's time at Samford, the Bulldogs have had 205 scoring drives that lasted two minutes or less and 96 that have lasted one minute or less.
 
SAMFORD AT PETE HANNA STADIUM
Samford has an all-time record of 188-87-4 in games played at Pete Hanna Stadium. This season, Samford has six home games on its schedule, with the Bulldogs holding a 3-2 record in those games. Last season, Samford posted a record of 4-2 in home games. In nine-plus seasons under head coach Chris Hatcher, Samford has a record of 38-15 when playing at home.
 
SAMFORD AGAINST NORTH CAROLINA TEAMS
Samford has an all-time record of 39-22 against teams from the
state of North Carolina, including a mark of 17-4 against Saturday's
opponent, Western Carolina. Samford has played the following teams from North Carolina: Appalachian State (2-6), Catawba (1-0), East Carolina (0-2), Elon (5-7), Fayetteville State (1-0), Gardner-Webb (6-2), Guilford College (3-0), Mars Hill (3-0), Western Carolina (17-4) and Wingate (1-1).
 
AGAINST SOUTHERN CONFERENCE TEAMS
Since joining the Southern Conference in 2008, Samford has posted a record of 74-59 in conference games. All-time against each current members of the SoCon, Samford has a mark of 100-87-4, including a 17-4 record against Western Carolina. Samford's all-time record against each current SoCon team is Chattanooga (12-34-3), The Citadel (10-8), ETSU (8-4), Furman (12-14), Mercer (16-14-1), VMI (9-3), Western Carolina (17-4) and Wofford (16-6).
 
ON THIS DATE
Samford has an all-time record of 4-4 in games played on Nov. 23. The last time the Bulldogs played on Nov. 23 was in 2019, in a 52-0 loss at Auburn. On Nov. 23, 1907, Samford (then Howard College) defeated Birmingham-Southern, 87-0 at West End Park, which marks the most points ever scored in a game in school history.
 
CRITTENDON NAMED SOCON OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
In last week's 36-13 win at 19th-ranked Chattanooga, Samford junior quarterback Quincy Crittendon completed 34-of-50 passes for 340 yards and a touchdown. Crittendon also rushed 18 times for 59 yards and a touchdown. For his efforts, he was named the Southern Conference Offensive Player of the Week.
 
SPREADING THE BALL AROUND
So far this season, a total of 17 different Samford players have caught at least one pass. Brendan Jenkins leads the group with 42 receptions for 522 yards and three touchdowns.
 
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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).