Saturday, September 26
Birmingham, Ala.
2:30 PM
Samford University
vs
VMI
Samford Football To Host VMI For First Home SoCon Game Saturday
9.25.26 | Football
GAME NOTES--SAMFORD VS. VMI (PDF)
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford football team will play its first home SoCon game of the season when the Bulldogs play host to the VMI Keydets Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at Pete Hanna Stadium. The game can be seen live on ESPN+.
Samford and VMI are meeting for the 14th time, with Samford holding a 10-3 series lead. Last season, Samford earned a 24-22 win at VMI. The average score of the 13 previous meetings has been 42-23 in favor of Samford. Prior to VMI rejoining the SoCon in 2014, the teams had only met once. That meeting came in 2001, with Samford taking a 46-28 win in Lexington, Va. Samford has won the last four meetings in the series.
Samford enters the game with a record of 0-3 overall and 0-1 in Southern Conference play. The Bulldogs took the last week off from competition and are coming off a 45-19 loss at 12th-ranked Tennessee Tech on Sept. 12.
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VMI enters the game with an 0-4 overall record. This is the SoCon opener for the Keydets. Last week VMI dropped a 27-24 overtime decision at Davidson.
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A RECORD DAY FOR IPPOLITO
Samford junior place-kicker Ty Ippolito had a record-setting day in Samford's game at Tennessee Tech on Sept. 12. In the game, Ippolito kicked the two longest field goals in Samford history, making kicks of 54 and 58 yards. The previous record was 52 by Cameron Yaw at Chattanooga in 2012.
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 JOHNSON LEADING THE OFFENSE
First-year starting quarterback Gabarri Johnson, a transfer from Oregon State, enters this week averaging 215.3 passing yards per game. So far this season, he has completed 62-of-117 passes for 646 yards and three touchdowns.
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LEADING THE DEFENSE
Safety Jalen Nelson is leading the way with 25 tackles for the Bulldogs, with 14 being solo stops. Spencer Conn is second on the team in tackles with 23 total tackles, including six solo stops.
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FLIPPING THE FIELD
Punter Will Thorley punted 16 times for the Bulldogs this season. He has averaged 44.2 yards per punt, including two punts of over 50 years. He has pinned opponents inside the 20-yard line three times.
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MAKING AN IMPACT AT RECEIVER
Three Samford receivers have put up impressive numbers so far this season. Clemson transfer Marquise Henderson has caught nine passes for 218 yards and a touchdown. Preston Bird has 16 catches for 158 yards, while Cayden Aukerman has hauled in 10 passes for 113 yards.
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Saturday's 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 on the following link: 2026 SAMFORD FOOTBALL SCHEDULE.
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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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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford football team will play its first home SoCon game of the season when the Bulldogs play host to the VMI Keydets Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at Pete Hanna Stadium. The game can be seen live on ESPN+.
Samford and VMI are meeting for the 14th time, with Samford holding a 10-3 series lead. Last season, Samford earned a 24-22 win at VMI. The average score of the 13 previous meetings has been 42-23 in favor of Samford. Prior to VMI rejoining the SoCon in 2014, the teams had only met once. That meeting came in 2001, with Samford taking a 46-28 win in Lexington, Va. Samford has won the last four meetings in the series.
Samford enters the game with a record of 0-3 overall and 0-1 in Southern Conference play. The Bulldogs took the last week off from competition and are coming off a 45-19 loss at 12th-ranked Tennessee Tech on Sept. 12.
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VMI enters the game with an 0-4 overall record. This is the SoCon opener for the Keydets. Last week VMI dropped a 27-24 overtime decision at Davidson.
Â
A RECORD DAY FOR IPPOLITO
Samford junior place-kicker Ty Ippolito had a record-setting day in Samford's game at Tennessee Tech on Sept. 12. In the game, Ippolito kicked the two longest field goals in Samford history, making kicks of 54 and 58 yards. The previous record was 52 by Cameron Yaw at Chattanooga in 2012.
Â
 JOHNSON LEADING THE OFFENSE
First-year starting quarterback Gabarri Johnson, a transfer from Oregon State, enters this week averaging 215.3 passing yards per game. So far this season, he has completed 62-of-117 passes for 646 yards and three touchdowns.
Â
LEADING THE DEFENSE
Safety Jalen Nelson is leading the way with 25 tackles for the Bulldogs, with 14 being solo stops. Spencer Conn is second on the team in tackles with 23 total tackles, including six solo stops.
Â
FLIPPING THE FIELD
Punter Will Thorley punted 16 times for the Bulldogs this season. He has averaged 44.2 yards per punt, including two punts of over 50 years. He has pinned opponents inside the 20-yard line three times.
Â
MAKING AN IMPACT AT RECEIVER
Three Samford receivers have put up impressive numbers so far this season. Clemson transfer Marquise Henderson has caught nine passes for 218 yards and a touchdown. Preston Bird has 16 catches for 158 yards, while Cayden Aukerman has hauled in 10 passes for 113 yards.
Â
Saturday's 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 on the following link: 2026 SAMFORD FOOTBALL SCHEDULE.
Â
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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