Oct. 10, 2001

$bssamfball< Samford's (1-3) struggle against the run may be appeased this weekend, as Alcorn State (1-3) is averaging 33 yards per game on the ground. An alarming trend has developed for the Bulldogs, as through four games each opponent has rushed for more yardage than in the previous game. In the season opener Chattanooga rushed for 145 yards, followed by Gardner-Webb's 203 on Sept. 22, Nicholls State posted 264 on Sept. 29 and the Gamecocks rushed for 316 last Saturday.

More than a dozen redshirt and true freshmen have already contributed in Samford's first four games. True freshmen QB Ramon Nelson, RB John Williams, WR Efrem Hill and OL Billy Knight are regulars on the Bulldog offensive rotation. In fact, Williams is tied for the scoring lead with Aryvia Holmes with 18 points. Defensively, Jeff Monroe has started two games and Ross Brereton, Mark Hamby, Adam Sallaz, Thad Henderson and Joshua Taylor are also regulars on the Bulldogs' two-deep on defense. Several other first- or redshirt-year players also contribute on special teams.

Junior Robert Evans and sophomore Derrick Wheeler began last weekend ranked in the Top 10 of the NCAA I-AA Defensive Rankings. Wheeler's 40 stops placed him at No. 8, while Evans was two spots back at No. 10 with 38 stops. Following the JSU game, Wheeler currently stands at 51 tackles with five tackles for losses, and Evans added seven tackles to total 45 for the season.

Josh Kellett tallied 131 yards of total offense against Jacksonville State to move into seventh place all-time in the category with 3,205 total yards (1,045 rushing, 2,160 passing.). He also occupies the 16th spot in Samford's all-time rushing list with his 1,038 yards. Kellett has led the team in passing the last two seasons.

Along with proving to opponents why he is Samford's big-play receiver, junior wideout Aryvia Holmes is distinguishing himself nationally. In the latest NCAA I-AA rankings, Holmes is ranked in several categories, including in two Top 20 lists:

14) Receptions Per Game (6.25),

19) All-Purpose Yards Per Game (156.0)