Sept. 7, 2001

BIRMINGHAM - Samford football returned to helmets and shoulder pads on Thursday and spent the afternoon working on special teams as the Bulldogs wind down toward their scheduled weekend off.

Long snapper Mike Verlander returned to practice after sitting out for more than a week and half due to a hand injury. Other players on Samford's injury list eased back into limited action, including free safety Jonathan Clark and linebacker Joshua Taylor. Running back Fred Gilliam and linebacker Derrick Wheeler were two starters also limited as they each recovered from concussions. The Bulldogs suffered a total of four concussions in last Thursday's game with Chattanooga.

Chip Walters remains the top place kicker and Jonathan Reynolds the starting punter, and no changes were made to to the talented group of return specialists for the Bulldogs. That depth chart includes wide receivers Aryvia Holmes and Gary Reed as starters and Efrem Hill and Leo Randall as backups.

The Bulldogs will hit the practice field on Thursday, have Saturday off and return to campus for team meetings Sunday evening.