Oct. 2, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford football team practiced for about an hour and a half in shells Thursday afternoon at Seibert Stadium. The practice was the final workout in preparation for Saturday's Southern Conference game at Western Carolina.

"I thought we had a very good practice overall," Samford head coach Pat Sullivan said. "It was probably about as sharp a Thursday practice as we have had."

Entering this week, Samford has played at least 32 players who were either freshmen or sophomores in each of its first four games. On average, 35 freshmen and sophomores see playing time each week for the Bulldogs. Sullivan said playing so many young players each week has helped the players progress throughout the year.

"I think all of our young guys have gotten better each week," Sullivan said. "They've been forced to do that because they've been playing and getting the reps and experience."

Some of the younger players on the Samford team are among the leaders in the Southern Conference, statistically. Sophomore running back Chris Evans is leading the league in rushing (103.2 ypg.), while freshman wide receiver Riley Hawkins is the league-leader in kick return average (28.0 ypr.). Freshman defensive lineman Jeremy Towns is leading the league in fumbles recovered (0.5 pg.).

"I think they have gotten better each week," Sullivan said. "And this week, if we are going to have an opportunity to win, we are going to have to be better this week than we were last week."

Samford will leave campus Friday morning at 8:30 a.m. for Cullowhee, N.C. The Bulldogs will hold a walk-through Friday afternoon at E.J. Whitmire Stadium.

Saturday's game at Western Carolina is scheduled for a 12 p.m. Central kickoff from E.J. Whitmire Stadium. The game can be heard live on the Samford Football Radio Network. The flagship station for the network is WVSU-FM 91.1. The game can also be heard worldwide on the internet at www.samford.edu/groups/wvsu/.