Oct. 18, 2006

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford football team practiced for about two hours in shells Wednesday afternoon at Seibert Stadium. The Bulldogs are preparing for Saturday's game against the 16th-ranked Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks.

The Bulldogs are coming off their first Ohio Valley Conference win of the season, a 33-7 win at Murray State last Saturday.

"It was good to get a win, and to get a win on the road in our conference," Samford head coach Bill Gray said. "It's a big confidence builder for our players, and it's a game we felt like we went out and did things right in all phases of the game. It was very satisfying to get the win, but we still have a long way to climb."

Gray said his team faces a stiff challenge this week against Tennessee-Martin.

"They have a quality football team," Gray said. "They are playing really well right now and they have a lot of confidence. We have a huge challenge, and it starts with their defense, which is as good as we have seen, they run to the football well.

"We have some momentum," Gray said of his team. "We are playing at home and we are expecting a nice crowd for Homecoming. So, it is an important game for our football program and for our university."

Samford will practice again Thursday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. at Seibert Stadium. Saturday's game is scheduled for a 2:00 p.m. kickoff from Seibert Stadium.