Nov. 10, 2005

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ---- The Samford football team worked out in shorts for approximately an hour and a half in preparation for Saturday afternoon's home game against in-state foe, the Jacksonville State Gamecocks.

Thursday marked the Bulldogs' final practice of the year as they prepare for their last game of the season.

Samford (5-5, 4-3 OVC) will take on Jacksonville State (5-4, 5-1) on Saturday afternoon at noon. Saturday's game will give the Bulldogs a chance to improve to 6-5 to boast a winning season for 2005.

"It means a lot for us to get this win to put us at 6-5," said Samford head coach Bill Gray. "We could have clinched a winning season last week, but we weren't able to get it done. It really means a lot to our players, everyone wants to finish with a winning season. Winning the last game, winning this next game winning another conference game to move us up in the conference standings, its all very important, plus this is JSU. There's a lot for these guys to play for."

Jacksonville State will prove to be a tough opponent for Samford, as the Gamecocks have won the last five meetings between the two rivals.

"JSU has a good football team and they've done a great job in our conference over these last few years," Gray said. "I don't think we played as well as we should have the last two times we played them. They've got quality players and they do a good job over there. Our guys will have to play well, we'll have to protect the football and we'll have to do the things we need to do to be successful. It's no different than any other Saturday. If we go out there and do the things we need to do, then we'll have a chance, regardless of who we play."

Saturday's game will be particularly important for a number of the Bulldogs, as they prepare for their final game in a Bulldog jersey, including All-American defensive back Cortland Finnegan.

"It will be sad to see those guys suited up for the last time," said Gray. "They've brought a lot to this program and a lot to this university. Cortland is probably one of the most exciting guys I've ever seen on this field. There are a handful of guys leaving, but they're very high quality guys. Seeing them on our field for the last time is going to be tough, but the good new is that we're only losing five, so a lot of guys are going to be back for us."

Samford will take on Jacksonville State on Saturday afternoon at 12 p.m. in Seibert Stadium. The game can be heard locally on WVSU-FM 91.1, or worldwide on the internet at www.samfordsports.com or www.al.com/wvsu.