BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford football team will travel to Lexington, Va., to take on the VMI Keydets Saturday at 12:30 p.m. (CT).
 
Samford enters the game with a record of 0-6 overall and 0-4 in Southern Conference play. The Bulldogs took the last week off from competition and they fell at Mercer, 45-21, on Oct. 4. VMI has a mark of 1-5 overall and 0-2 in SoCon games. The Keydets dropped a 45-10 decision at ETSU last weekend.

Samford and VMI are meeting for the 13th time, with Samford owning a 9-3 series lead. Last season, the teams played at Pete Hanna Stadium, with Samford taking a 27-3 victory. Samford has won the last three meetings. VMI's last win in the series came during the 2021 season, with the Keydets earning a 46-45 win in Lexington. Since VMI rejoined the Southern Conference in 2014, Samford is 8-3 against the Keydets. The only previous meeting came in 2001, with Samford winning, 46-28 at VMI.
 
HATCHER'S OFFENSES PRODUCE
Through the last 10-plus seasons, Samford head coach Chris Hatcher's offenses have averaged more points than under any other head coach in program history. Entering Saturday's game, Hatcher's teams have averaged 32.1 points per game, scoring 3,751 points in 117 games. His average is 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 10-plus seasons under head coach Chris Hatcher, the Samford offense has scored at least 30 points 54 times. The unit has put up at least 40 points 30 times, and at least 50 points a total of 15 times.
 
QUICK STRIKES
In the 10-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 215 scoring drives that lasted two minutes or less and 101 that have lasted one minute or less.
 
SAMFORD ON THE ROAD
Samford has seven road games on the 2025 schedule and the
Bulldogs are currently 0-3 in those contests. Last season, Samford
was 1-4 on the road. Under head coach Chris Hatcher, Samford has a
mark of 23-36 away from home.
 
SAMFORD AGAINST VIRGINIA TEAMS
Samford has an all-time record of 15-10 against teams from the state of Virginia, including a mark of 9-3 against Saturday's opponent, VMI. Samford has played the following teams from Virginia: Emory & Henry (1-4), Ferrum (1-0), James Madison (1-0), Liberty (2-2), VMI (9-3), Washington & Lee (0-1) and William & Mary (1-0).
 
SAMFORD IN THE SOUTHERN CONFERENCE
Since joining the Southern Conference in 2008, Samford has posted a record of 74-65 in conference games. All-time against the current members of the SoCon, Samford has a mark of 100-92-4, including a 9-3 record against VMI. Samford's all-time record against each current SoCon team is Chattanooga (12-34-3), The Citadel (10-9), ETSU (8-4), Furman (12-15), Mercer (16-15-1), VMI (9-3), Western Carolina (17-6) and Wofford (16-6).
 
ON THIS DATE
Samford has an all-time record of 5-5 in games played on Oct. 18. The last time Samford played a game on the date was in 2014 in a 24-20 loss to Wofford.
 
MOSLEY NEAR THE TOP OF THE SOCON
Samford senior linebacker Jaden Mosley currently ranks second in the Southern Conference in tackles after the first six weeks of the season. Through the first six games, he has a total of 55 tackles, the second-highest total in the league. His 9.2 tackles per game average also ranks second in the SoCon.
 
SAMFORD DUO AMONG THE BEST
Samford wide receivers Jaden Gibson and Preston Bird are both ranked in the top five in the Southern Conference in receptions. Gibson has 39 receptions for 328 yards so far this season. Bird has hauled in 33 passes for 358 yards and two touchdowns so far this season.
 
BULLDOG OFFENSE RANKS HIGH IN THE SOCON
Entering Saturday's game the Samford offense ranks high in the Southern Conference in a couple of different statistical categories. The Bulldogs rank second in the Southern Conference in passing yards per game, averaging 294.2 passing yards per game. In total offense, Samford ranks fourth in the league with an average of 370.8 yards per game.
 
Saturday's game can be seen live on ESPN+. For links to follow all of Samford's games this season, click on the following link: 2025 SAMFORD FOOTBALL SCHEDULE.
 
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).