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Homecoming 2017 Game Day Program

From Seibert Stadium to the Bulldog Walk, we’re there.

At Alabama Power, we really love football and share a passion for the game’s rich traditions, friendly rivalries and team spirit.

That’s why we’ll always cheer right alongside fans like you.

We proudly support Samford football.

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Head Coach Chris Hatcher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Sports Feature. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Assistant Coaches/Staff. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

Assistant Coaches. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Opponent. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

NCAA Compliance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Football Support Staff. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Athlete Q&A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Bulldog Club. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

Returning Players. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Hall of Fame Feature. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Samford University. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

Signees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Seibert Stadium. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Athletics Facilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

Today’s Game. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Sullivan-Cooney Family Field House. . . . . . 46

Southern Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72

Around the SoCon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Academic Enhancement Program. . . . . . . . . 52

National Honors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

Fall Sports Schedules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Andrew Westmoreland. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Players in the NFL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

Football Feature. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Martin Newton. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Records. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

Rosters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Athletics Administration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Depth Charts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Head Coaches. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Editor: Joey Mullins Senior Graphic Designer: Scott Camp Contributors: Shelby Campbell, Mike Grace, Bo Kerr, Zac Schrieber Photographers: Caroline Summers, Rebecca Long, Jimmy Mitchell, David Johnson, Beth Hall, contributing NFL Teams

Produced by Samford Division of Marketing and Communication

VAN WAGNER SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Van Wagner Sports and Entertainment (VWSE) and Samford University athletics recently announced a long-term partnership naming VWSE as the athletics department’s exclusive multimedia rights partner and sales agent for the department’s corporate sponsorship program.

As part of the agreement, the VWSE Collegiate Services division will oversee the locally based operation, Samford Sponsorships, which will work with university leadership to enhance the overall game-day experience, and create unique and meaningful opportunities for the program’s sponsors, business partners and a growing and dedicated Bulldogs fan base.

The VWSE team, in collaboration with the Samford athletics department, will handle management, sales and integration of corporate sponsorship on all levels within multimedia resources, including the Bulldogs’ digital assets, venue signage, marketing, promotional rights to athletics marks and hospitality.

For more information please contact General Manager Leon Ryan at 205-726-4717.

SOCIAL MEDIA Samford fans can keep up with the Bulldogs 24/7 through the following social media outlets:

facebook.com/SamfordSports twitter.com/samford_sports youtube.com/samfordsportsnetwork instagram.com/samfordsports INTERNET The official website of Samford University athletics is samfordsports.com. A partnership of Samford athletics and SideArm Sports, the internet home of the Bulldogs, is full of the most up-to-date information on football and Samford’s 16 other varsity sports. With news stories, coaches’ and student-athletes’ biographies, plus team rosters, statistics, schedules, game notes, results and video, the most comprehensive coverage of the Bulldogs can always be found online at samfordsports. com.

TELEVISION BROADCASTS

For the third-straight season, most of Samford’s home games will be broadcast live on ESPN3. The Bulldogs’ home games against Kennesaw State, West Alabama, The Citadel, Chattanooga and East Tennessee State will appear on the network. For the ESPN3 broadcasts, Curt Bloom will handle play-by-play duties, Chad Pilcher will serve as color analyst, and Hattie Breece will be the sideline reporter.

ESPN3 is available in approximately 75 million homes to fans who receive their internet connection from an affiliated service provider. The network also can be accessed at no cost by 21 million U.S. college students and U.S.-based military personnel. ESPN3 programming is also available through the free WatchESPN app.

The home games against Kennesaw State and ETSU will also be televised on a new broadcast television network, branded as “College Football Down South” and operated by 7 Communications, a Raleigh, North Carolina–based production company.

Samford’s home game against Furman (Nov. 18) will air on Stadium, a new 24/7, linear, multiplatform sports network with both digital and OTA broadcast feeds formed through a combination of Campus Insiders, 120 Sports and American Sports Network.

To see which local station will carry Samford’s games on 7 communications and Stadium, check your local listings.

RADIO

All 11 Samford football games will be broadcast live on 99.1 FM The Game. For more information, go to samfordsports.com.

Blake Gardner, a 2016 Samford graduate, enters his first full season as play-by-play announcer and “Voice of the Bulldogs.”

Gardner took over duties for men’s basketball and baseball last season, but will be in his first season as the play-by-play voice for the Samford football program.

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138 screaming fans

The way you build up those around you, your dedication to supporting athletics, your inherent love of the game – no matter the sport. You are the ones who make this community great, and we are honored to be a part of it. Every day, you inspire us to find ways to make banking easier, serve you better and help you keep life moving forward.

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BULLDOGS HEAD COACH

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CHRIS HATCHER

hris Hatcher was named Samford’s 36th head football coach on Dec. 11, 2014.

Entering his third season at Samford, Hatcher boasts a career record of 134-67 in 17 years as a college head coach, having previously coached at Murray State, Georgia Southern and Valdosta State.

Last season, Hatcher led the team to a 7-5 record and a spot in the NCAA Division I-FCS Playoffs. The 7-5 record marked the program’s sixth-straight winning season, the longest streak in program history.

Under Hatcher’s tutelage, quarterback Devlin Hodges set school records for single-season completions (375), attempts (530), passing yards (4,088) and touchdown passes (36). Hodges was named the SoCon’s Offensive Player of the Year and a third-team All-American at the conclusion of the season.

As a unit, the Samford offense ranked third Chris Hatcher among all FCS schools in passing offense, averaging 349.4 passing yards per game. The offense also ranked sixth in the nation in red zone offense (90.2%), 11th in team passing efficiency (155.24), 12th in scoring offense (35.1 ppg) and 14th in total offense (446.2 ypg).

In Hatcher’s first season at Samford in 2015, the Bulldogs finished the season third in the nation in passing offense (332.9 ypg), seventh in the nation in total offense (479.7 ypg) and seventh in fourth down conversions (66.7%). Hatcher’s special teams also stood out, ranking fifth nationally in kickoff return average (24.34 ypr).

Hatcher led the Bulldogs to a 6-5 record, ending the season with a pair of Southern Conference road wins at Wofford and Mercer. The 6-5 record marks Samford’s fifth-straight winning season, tying for the ­longest streak in program history. The 2015 team also ­produced a pair of All-Americans: cornerback James B ­ radberry and place-kicker Anthony Pistelli.

Hatcher came to Samford after serving as head coach at ­Murray State University from 2010 to 2014. In five seasons as head coach of the Racers, Hatcher’s teams employed the high-powered “Hatch Attack” offense to top the Division I-FCS football charts. In 2014, the Racers ranked second in the nation in passing offense, averaging 327.2 yards per game. The team also ranked 15th in total offense at 468.3 yards per contest.

MSU used a balanced attack in 2013. The Racers rushed the ball 424 times, while throwing it 458, in averaging 398.6 yards of offense.

The offense was spearheaded by All-American wide receiver Walter Powell, who hauled in 66 passes for 837 yards and 13 touchdowns in just 10 games.

The 2012 Murray State offense led the Ohio Valley Conference for the third-straight season. MSU averaged a school-record 484.4 yards of offense per game while setting a single-season record by averaging 348.9 yards through the air.

The 2011 season saw the Racers go 7-4 and post back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since the 1999–2000 seasons. MSU closed the season winning five of its final six games, including going on the road and knocking off nationally ranked Tennessee Tech.

The Racer offense was among the most prolific in the ­nation.

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MSU ranked third in scoring offense, fourth in total offense and seventh in passing offense. The 5,070 yards of total offense marked the fifth time in school history MSU amassed more than 5,000 yards, while the 460.9 yards per game were the third-most all time. The Racers also rushed for 152.27 yards per game.

In 2010, the Racer offense led the OVC in passing offense, total offense and scoring offense, while ranking fourth nationally in passing offense, fifth in total offense and fifth in scoring offense.

Hatcher served as head coach at Georgia Southern from 2007 to 2009. In 2007, he led GSU to the second-best regular season turnaround in program history, a plus-4 improvement from 2006.

The Eagles ranked among the national l­eaders in various categories on offense, defense and special teams. He also coached five All-America players, including quarterback Jayson Foster, the second Walter Payton Award winner at GSU. The Eagles returned to the national r­ ankings after a 14-week hiatus as the Hatcher era got off to a 4-1 start. GSU climbed as high as No. 11 after the Eagles recorded three straight v­ ictories at No. 5 Appalachian State, ending the Mountaineers’ 30-game home winning streak, at home against No. 25 The Citadel, and at No. 10 Wofford.

The prolific offense ranked first in rushing, eighth in total offense, eighth in s­ coring offense and 23rd in sacks allowed. The defense was 14th in turnover margin and 17th in fumbles recovered, while the ­special teams ranked 25th in net punting.

The 2008 season saw Hatcher guide the Eagles to the program’s 25th winning season in 27 years.

In late October, the Eagles set an NCAA record for the largest fourth-quarter comeback as GSU erased a 31-3 deficit for a 38-31 overtime victory at Western Carolina. The OT contest was just the first of an NCAA-record four overtime games played by the Eagles in 2008.

Hatcher’s team provided impressive numbers in all three phases.

The offense ranked 20th nationally in passing and scoring, while the defense ranked 26th in sacks and 22nd in tackles-for-loss. The special teams units finished 14th in punt returns and 36th in kickoff returns.

All of this was done as Hatcher and his staff were forced to play close to 30 freshmen on a consistent basis throughout the season. Five Eagles received All-SoCon honors, and seven freshmen repre­senting offense, defense and special teams were named to the inaugural SoCon All-Freshman team.

Prior to his time at GSU, Hatcher molded Valdosta State into one of the most dominant teams in Division II.

The winningest coach in Blazers’ history, Hatcher was 76-12 at his alma mater. In his first year back at VSU, Hatcher took a 4-7 squad the previous year and produced a 10-2 overall record (8-1 in GSC action) and a berth in the Division II playoffs. He coached quarterback Dusty Bonner, who was a two-time winner of the Harlon Hill Trophy as the NCAA Division II Player of the Year, an award Hatcher won himself in 1994.

Hatcher’s 2001 and 2002 teams posted back-to-back un­defeated records during the regular season, part of a Gulf South Conference– record 35 straight victories during the regular season.

During the 2004 championship season, the Blazers lost their

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THE HATCHER FILE

The Hatchers season opener before rattling off 13 consecutive victories, capped by a 36-31 victory over Pittsburg State in the title game. Hatcher was named National Coach of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association and was the offensive coordinator for the East squad at the Hula Bowl.

In 2005, Valdosta opened the season ranked No. 1 for four straight weeks and saw the season culminate with a sixth-straight NCAA postseason appearance.

Despite an 8-2 record in 2006, the 10th-ranked Blazers did not receive an invitation to the playoffs, marking the first time that occurred in the Hatcher era.

The 2006 team finished sixth nationally in passing offense (283 ypg), 12th in scoring offense (34.9 ppg) and 19th in total offense (389.9 ypg). In addition to the offensive success, the 2006 defense ranked 27th nationally in scoring defense (15.7 ppg), while the special teams ranked third in punt returns (17.3 ypr) and blocked seven kicks.

The Macon, Georgia, native spent one year as quarterbacks/tight ends coach at the University of Central Florida, where he worked with future NFL quarterback Daunte Culpepper. He then spent three years working with the quarterbacks at the University of Kentucky, where he worked under former VSU Head Coach Hal Mumme. During his time with the Wildcats, he coached the No. 1 NFL draft pick, AllAmerican quarterback Tim Couch.

While at UK, Hatcher and the Wildcats played in the 1999 Outback Bowl, the program’s first New Year’s Day Bowl in 47 years, and followed that the next year with a berth in the ’99 Music City Bowl. It marked the first time the Wildcats had consecutive bowl appearances in 15 years.

Hatcher was a two-time All-American quarterback at VSU (1993 and 1994. He threw for 11,363 yards and 121 touchdowns during his career. During his senior year in 1994, he led the Blazers to their first postseason berth, advancing to the quarterfinals, and set 29 VSU passing and total offense records.

Among the national records he once set were a 68.5 career completion percentage and a streak of 20 straight completions in a game against New Haven. Hatcher held 14 Valdosta State, 13 Gulf South Conference and 17 Division II national records.

He also started 41 consecutive games, posting a 29-10-2 record.

Not only did Hatcher excel on the field, he was also successful in the classroom.

Twice he received the Gulf South Conference’s Commissioner’s Trophy, which is awarded to the league’s most outstanding student-athlete. He finished his senior year by winning several national honors, including the NCAA Top Eight Award, the CoSIDA Academic All-America National Player of the Year, and a postgraduate scholarship from the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame.

When Hatcher won the Harlon Hill Trophy, he won by the second-largest ­voting margin in the then-19-year history of the award. Hatcher was also voted to the GSC Football team of the 1990s.

Hatcher was named to the Valdosta State University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001 in his first year of eligibility. He was also elected into the Macon Sports Hall of Fame (2001), Division II Hall of Fame (2005) and Gulf South Conference Hall of Fame (2014).

Hatcher graduated from Valdosta State in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education.

He and his wife, Lori, also a graduate of VSU, are the parents of a son, Ty, and a daughter, Talley.

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COACHING EXPERIENCE 2015–Present Head Coach, Samford 2010–14 Head Coach, Murray State 2007–09 Head Coach, Georgia Southern 2000–06 Head Coach, Valdosta State 1999 Assistant Coach, Quarterbacks/ Receivers, Kentucky 1997–98 Graduate Assistant, Quarterbacks, Kentucky 1996 Assistant Coach, Quarterbacks/ Tight Ends, UCF 1995 Volunteer Assistant, Quarterbacks, Valdosta State PLAYING EXPERIENCE 1991–94 Valdosta State EDUCATION High School College Degree

Mount de Sales Academy Valdosta State (1995) B.S./Health and Physical Education

PERSONAL Birthday Hometown Family

Feb. 18, 1973 Macon, Ga. Wife, Lori Son, Ty Daughter, Talley

AWARDS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS • Inducted into the Division II Hall of Fame in 2005 • Inducted into the Gulf South Conference Hall of Fame in 2014 • 2004 American Football Coaches Association National Coach of the Year • Led Valdosta State to the 2004 Division II National Championship • Four-time Atlanta Touchdown Club Coach of the Year • 1994 CoSIDA Academic All-American of the Year • Led teams to six playoff appearances, including two appearances in the National Championship game • Served as the offensive coordinator for the East squad in the 2004 Hula Bowl • 1994 recipient of the Harlon Hill Trophy (Division II Heisman) • Two-time All-American quarterback at Valdosta State (1993–94) • Set 29 passing records as the quarterback at Valdosta State

BILL D’OTTAVIO ASSISTANT HEAD COACH/DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR

B

ill D’Ottavio enters his 11th season as Samford’s defensive coordi­nator and his sixth as assistant head coach.

D’Ottavio’s defenses have produced four National Football League Draft picks ­during his time at Samford, including the three highest NFL Draft picks in program history. Cornerback Corey White was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round of the 2012 draft, while defensive lineman Nick Williams was taken in the seventh round of the 2013 draft. In 2015, safety Jaquiski Tartt became the highest NFL Draft pick in school history when the San Francisco 49ers selected him in the second round of the draft. The latest addition to the list came in 2016 when cornerback James Bradberry was taken in the second round by the Carolina Panthers.

In 2014, D’Ottavio’s defense led the nation in fewest passing yards allowed. The unit also led the Southern Conference and ranked seventh nationally in pass efficiency defense.

D’Ottavio’s 2012 defense led the Southern

Conference in interceptions with 14.

In 2009, D’Ottavio’s defense ranked in the top 20 in the nation in total defense, scoring defense, sacks and tackles for a loss.

In his second season at Samford in 2008, D’Ottavio produced one of Samford’s strongest defenses. The Bulldogs led the Southern Conference in scoring defense, total defense, rushing defense, opponent first downs and turnover margin.

D’Ottavio came to Samford from Tulane University, where he served as assistant head coach from 2004 to 2006, coaching cornerbacks. In 2005, the Green Wave ranked first in Conference USA in pass defense.

D’Ottavio served on the coaching staff at the University of Central Florida from 1999 to 2003. He coached linebackers, and served as the team’s defensive coordinator in 2002 and 2003. In 2000, the UCF defense ranked sixth in the nation in sacks and tied for 10th in the nation in turnovers gained.

From 1997 to 1998, D’Ottavio served as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at his alma mater, Millersville University in Pennsylvania. He helped Millersville to a 15-5

record over those two seasons, and the team won the 1998 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Eastern Division championship.

D’Ottavio worked at Middle Tennessee State University in 1995 and 1996. He coached the secondary and assisted with the special teams, specifically on kickoff coverage.

Prior to his time at Middle Tennessee, D’Ottavio served on the coaching staff at Indiana University of Pennsylvania from 1989 to 1994. He coached the secondary from 1989 to 1992 and was promoted to defensive coordinator in 1993. He coached the defensive line while coordinating the defense in 1993 and 1994.

While at IUP, D’Ottavio helped lead the team to a 65-11-1 record, five appearances in the NCAA semifinals and two appearances in the NCAA finals.

D’Ottavio served as a graduate assistant at the University of Pittsburgh in 1987 and 1988.

He began his coaching career as a student assistant at Millersville in 1985, and he served the school as a graduate assistant in 1986. A native of Roxbury, New Jersey, he is a 1986 graduate of Millersville University.

RUSS CALLAWAY OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR

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uss Callaway enters his third season on the Samford football coaching staff and his second as the squad’s offensive coordinator. Callaway will continue to coach the team’s wide receivers.

In 2016, Callaway’s offense ranked third among all FCS schools in passing offense, averaging 349.4 passing yards per game. The offense also ranked sixth in the nation in red zone offense (90.2%), 11th in team passing efficiency (155.24), 12th in scoring offense (35.1 ppg) and 14th in total offense (446.2 ypg).

Callaway worked with Karel Hamilton in his record-setting season in 2016. The firstteam All-American, set single-season Samford records for receptions (111) and receiving yards (1,389). He also holds school career records for receptions (279) and receiving yards (3,803), and he has tied the career record for touchdown receptions (31).

In Callaway’s first season, the offense ranked third in the nation in passing offense and seventh nationally in total offense. The unit set a school record for total offense in a game with

752 yards in a win over Florida A&M.

In that first season, Callaway tutored SoCon Freshman of the Year Kelvin McKnight, and All-SoCon receivers Karel Hamilton and Emmanuel Obajimi.

Callaway comes to Samford after ­spending the last two seasons on Head Coach Chris Hatcher’s staff at Murray State. At MSU, he worked with the wide receivers, while also serving as the recruiting coordinator.

In his first season, Callaway mentored a group of receivers that saw seven receivers catch at least 15 passes and combine for 20 touchdowns. The group was anchored by AllAmerican Walter Powell, who caught 66 passes for 837 yards and 13 touchdowns in 10 games.

Jeremy Harness and Paul Rice also had breakout seasons. Harness hauled in 40 passes last season, after catching just 13 the season before. Rice had 32 catches in 2013 after catching only one pass as a freshman.

Callaway also mentored freshman Jesse Blackburn into one of the top pass catchers in the OVC. Blackburn ended the year with nine catches for 170 and a pair of touchdowns in the Racers’ victory over Eastern Kentucky.

Callaway joined the Racers after winning

back-to-back BCS National Championships as a defensive analyst on Nick Saban’s staff at Alabama. He assisted defensive coordinator Kirby Smart with the inside linebackers. The Tide defense posted four shutouts, and held six opponents to 10 points or less. As a unit, they led the country in rush defense (76.36), total defense (250.00) and scoring defense (10.93).

Callaway played as a quarterback at Valdosta State. He was a two-time captain and had his most productive season in 2009 when he went 26 for 45 for 350 yards and three touchdowns. He joined the Blazers in 2007, helping the team to the school’s second National Championship.

After his playing career was cut short by injury, Callaway spent his final year working with the quarterbacks as a student assistant at VSU.

Callaway graduated from VSU in 2010 with a degree in business management. His father, Neil, is a coaching veteran, and is ­currently the offensive line coach at USC.

Callaway and his wife, Taylor, have a daughter, Maris Faye Callaway, and a son, Samuel Ingram Callaway.

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SHAWN BOSTICK ASSISTANT COACH, OFFENSIVE LINE

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hawn Bostick enters his third season on the Samford coaching staff. He coaches the

Bulldogs’ offensive line.

Under Bostick’s tutelage in 2016, Armando Bonheur was named second-team All-SoCon. Nick Nixon was named to the Southern Conference’s All-Freshman team.

In his first season at Samford, Bostick’s offensive line helped the unit lead the Southern Conference in scoring offense and total offense. Two of his offensive linemen, Armando Bonheur and Gunnar Bromelow, earned All-SoCon honors. In Bostick’s second season, Bonheur was named second-team AllSoCon by the league’s coaches.

Bostick came to Samford after spending the previous five years on Head Coach Chris Hatcher’s staff at Murray State.

In his first season with the Racers, Bostick took an offensive line that was considered a work in progress and turned it into one of the top offensive lines in the OVC.

The 2011 offensive line had four ­players start at least 10 games. They helped the Racer offense accumulate 5,070 yards of total offense, marking just the fourth time it has happened in school history.

The 2012 offensive line paved the way for an offense that amassed 5,328 yards of total offense, including 3,838 through the air.

The offensive line helped produce one of the nation’s most balanced attacks in 2013.

The Racers rushed for 1,886 yards, the most in nearly a decade. The team rushed for over 200 yards in four games, including rushing for 296 yards in an overtime victory at Jacksonville State.

Bostick came to MSU after serving as the offensive line coach at Georgia Southern the previous three seasons.

His arrival in Statesboro, Georgia, ended an 18-year affiliation with Valdosta State, from his playing days to assistant coach.

Bostick served as assistant head coach in charge of the offensive line for eight years at VSU. His O-Line was part of one of the most productive offensive units in Division II.

Bostick was part of the 2004 National Championship team and the national runnerup in 2002.

From 1994 to 1995, he worked as a student assistant coach under Hal Mumme.

Bostick was part of the 1994 coaching staff, leading Valdosta State to its first-ever playoff appearance.

In 1996, he worked with the running backs as the Blazers won their first conference championship. During the 1997 campaign, he served as a graduate assistant coach under Mike Kelley, returning to the offensive line. The next season, he moved into his first full-time coaching position and worked with the offensive line every year since.

Bostick played at Valdosta State from 1991 to 1993, starting as a walk-on but eventually earning a scholarship. A 1997 graduate of Valdosta State, Bostick received his bachelor’s degree in education.

He and his wife, Sheila, have a daughter, Emma, and a son, Walker.

VICTOR CABRAL ASSISTANT COACH, DEFENSIVE LINE

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ictor Cabral enters his third season on the Samford football coaching staff.

He serves as defensive line coach.

Cabral has mentored a defensive line that has been one of the strengths of the defense. Following the 2016 season, defensive lineman Ahmad Gooden was named firstteam All-SoCon by the media and second team by the coaches. Roosevelt Donaldson was named second-team All-SoCon by both the media and the coaches.

In 2015, Cabral coached two All-SoCon ­players, Michael Pierce (first team) and Gooden (second team). In 2016, Gooden and Donaldson were both named All-SoCon.

Cabral spent the 2014 season as the director of player personnel at his alma mater, Georgia Southern.

For four years (2010–13), he served as defensive line coach at Georgia Southern.

Cabral worked with several standout players, including four-time All-American and 2011 8

Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Year Brent Russell, who became the Eagles’ career sacks leader in 2012.

Cabral joined the Eagle program after spending three years as defensive line coach at Georgia Military College, where he also served as special teams coordi­nator for the Bulldogs. In 2007, the GMC defensive unit earned a No. 1 ranking in rushing defense in the NJCAA. The next season, the Bulldogs ranked third nationally in total defense.

With success at the team level, the Bulldogs also had several individuals earn national accolades. Leroy Burgess was selected as a third-team NJCAA AllAmerican, and in 2008, Torrey Ball earned second-team All-America honors.

Under the tutelage of Cabral, Markeith Wylie was recognized as first-team Academic All-American in 2007. Thirteen GMC players coached by Cabral received scholarships to NCAA Division I programs during his three seasons in Milledgeville.

Cabral returned to Georgia Southern for the 2005 campaign, coordinating video and

quality control for the Eagles. During the winter and spring of 2006, Cabral assisted with the defensive line, including the preparation of daily practice plans and on-field evaluation and coaching.

A four-year Georgia Southern starter and letterwinner, Cabral was part of the winning tradition that included the 2000 National Championship, two NCAA semi­final playoff appearances and four conference titles during his career. Following his collegiate playing career, Cabral was the 24th overall draft pick by the Montreal Alouettes in 2005.

The former GSU team captain earned his bachelor’s degree from Georgia Southern in May 2006 and graduated with his master’s degree in May 2013. Cabral and his wife, Erin, have a son, Zac, and a daughter, Lucy.

DERRICK FOSTER ASSISTANT COACH, RUNNING BACKS

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errick Foster enters his second ­season on the Samford football coaching staff. He coaches running backs.

Foster came to Samford from Northwestern State University, where he coached running backs in 2013, and wide receivers in 2014 and 2015. While at NSU, Foster tutored some of the top receivers in program history.

Under Foster’s tutelage, Ed Eagan set the school single-season receptions record with 73 catches, surpassing the old mark by 19.

Eagan also tied the single-game receptions record of 13 and established a new benchmark for single-game receiving yards, torching McNeese State for 238 yards.

Foster was instrumental in helping Bryant Mitchell make his way to the Canadian Football League’s Edmonton Eskimos and guided Cody Jones to a productive junior

campaign in his second season as a full-time wide receiver.

All of this came one season after Foster made the NSU running backs extremely productive in 2013.

Foster arrived at NSU in January 2013 from Derek Dooley’s 2012 coaching staff with the Tennessee Volunteers.

Foster joined Dooley’s staff for the 2012 season, assisting the offensive coordinator and helping coach running backs. The Volunteers finished third in the Southeastern Conference in total offense with 5,711 yards. He had office recruiting duties for junior colleges in California, Texas, Kansas, New York, Arizona and Illinois.

His coaching career began at Valdosta State in 2011, where he assisted Head Coach David Dean, offensive coordi­nator Robby Brown and the special teams coordinator, working with the punt team and the return teams. He worked with wide receivers and helped produce an All-Gulf South Conference

selection (32 catches, 551 yards, 6 TDs). Ten wide receivers had at least one catch, and while at Valdosta, Foster coached Seantavius Jones, now a receiver with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Foster was a three-year starting receiver at Southwest Baptist, including a recordshattering 2007 campaign. Foster played in 41 of 44 games and had 93 career receptions. In 2007, he ranked sixth in the conference with 44 catches. He was a 1,000-yard rusher at Goshen High and an All-County running back.

A native of Goshen, Alabama, Foster graduated with a bachelor’s degree in sport management from Southwest Baptist in 2010 and a master’s in public administration from Valdosta State in 2013. He is married to the former Bianca Cooper.

MIKE KRYSL SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR

M

ike Krysl enters his second season on the Samford ­coaching staff and serves as the special teams coordinator.

In his first season, Krysl’s special teams units led the Southern Conference in kickoff coverage. Samford also ranked second in the SoCon in PAT kicking and net punting, and 12th in the nation in net punting. Individually, Kelvin McKnight ranked second in the SoCon in punt return average, and Reece Everett was second in the league in PAT kicking.

Krysl spent two seasons at Georgia Southern University as director of player development, while also assisting head coach Willie Fritz with special teams. In 2015, Georgia Southern ended the season with a 9-4 overall record and claimed a berth in the program’s first-ever bowl game. The Eagles defeated Bowling Green, 58-27, in the GoDaddy.com Bowl. Krysl was named special teams coordinator during the Eagles bowl prep.

In 2015, the Eagles’ punt return unit and kickoff return unit finished number one in the

Sun Belt Conference, helping returner Derek Keaton earn All-Sun Belt honors as a returner for the second-straight season. Also in 2015, the kickoff unit finished first in the Sun Belt while also claiming the number one spot in FBS.

In 2014, Georgia Southern finished the season with a 9-3 overall record and 8-0 in the program’s first season in the Sun Belt Conference, claiming the outright conference title. Also in 2014, Georgia Southern’s kickoff return unit finished the regular s­ eason ranked 16th in the FBS.

Prior to joining the program at Georgia Southern, Krysl served as offensive line/tight ends coach at West Virginia State University in 2013. Aside from his duties leading the offensive line and tight end units, he also served as the program’s strength and conditioning coordinator. West Virginia State junior offensive tackle Ricardo Figueroa earned All-Mountain East honors after ­starting every game on the offensive line for the Yellow Jackets.

In 2012, Krysl served as the offensive coordinator/offensive line coach at Lexington (Missouri) High School under Head Coach Andy Lierman. Prior to joining the Lexington

program, Krysl served as an offensive graduate assistant at his alma mater, the University of Central Missouri, during the 2010 and 2011 campaigns. In 2011, the Central Missouri program ­finished with an 8-4 overall record and earned a trip to the Kanza Bowl. The season also saw the Mules finish sixth in the nation in passing offense.

Central Missouri had its most successful season to date in 2010, finishing with an 11-3 overall record and 8-1 in the MIAA conference. Central Missouri celebrated its first-ever playoff victory, 55-35, over West Texas A&M. The Mules finished the season as national semifinalists after making it to the third round of the national playoffs. The Mules finished the 2010 season ranking fourth in the nation in passing offense and scoring offense, and sixth in total offense.

Krysl earned his bachelor’s degree in secondary education, and master’s degree in sports and business administration from the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg.

He is originally from Hillsboro, Missouri, where he attended Hillsboro High School.

9

ROSS NEWTON

ASSISTANT COACH, LINEBACKERS/DIRECTOR OF RECRUITING

R

oss Newton enters his 12th season as an assistant coach at Samford. Newton is in his seventh season coaching the linebackers after working with the defensive line for his first five years on the staff. Newton also serves as Samford’s director of recruiting.

During his time at Samford, Newtoncoached players have posted some impressive achievements. He has coached eight All-Conference players, one All-American and one SoCon Defensive Player of the Year.

In 2016, Shaheed Salmon ranked second on the team and ninth in the Southern Conference in tackles with 93, and he was named first-team All-SoCon by the league’s coaches, and second team by the media.

In 2014, Justin Cooper led the team and ranked fourth in the Southern Conference with 93 tackles, including 73 solo stops.

Cooper also led the squad and placed sixth in the SoCon with 103 tackles as a senior in 2015.

In 2013, senior linebacker Justin Shade

was named the Southern Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year and a consensus All-American.

In 2011 and 2012, Newton coached a group of experienced linebackers that was one of the strengths of Samford’s defense.

The defensive line saw great improvement in Newton’s five seasons with the group. In 2010, defensive linemen Alex Davis and John Michael Clay were named to the All-Conference teams for the Southern Conference.

In 2009, Samford’s defense ranked in the top 20 in the nation in total defense, scoring defense, sacks and tackles for a loss. Also, Clay was named second-team All-Conference by both the league coaches and media at the conclusion of the season. In 2008, defensive lineman Patrick Hatcher was named to the Southern Conference Media Association’s All-Conference team.

Overall, the Samford defense led the Southern Conference in scoring defense, total defense and rushing defense in 2008.

Newton came to Samford in 2006 after spending the previous season as a graduate

assistant coach for defense at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Newton was a member of the Samford football team from 2000 to 2003. As a Bulldog, he registered 143 tackles and eight sacks. He was selected a team ­captain in his senior year in 2003.

As a senior, Newton also won the Kenny Morgan Leadership Award.

A native of Homewood, Newton played high school football for his father, Bob, at Homewood High School.

Newton graduated from Samford in 2004 with a B.A. in history with a minor in political science. He has worked toward a master’s degree in education at UAB. Newton is married to the former Allison Lyn Swartz, a fellow Samford graduate. They have three sons, Thomas, William and Patrick.

JAMAEL LETT ASSISTANT COACH, SECONDARY

J

amael Lett, a former Bulldog defensive back, enters his first ­season on the Samford football coaching staff. He will coach the team’s secondary.

Lett comes to Samford after serving as a graduate assistant coach who worked with the defensive line at Ohio University ­during 2016. He worked with MAC Defensive Player of the Year Tarell Basham and with the team that earned the MAC East Division Championship.

In addition to his coaching duties, Lett recruited from Alabama, the Florida pan­ handle, Kansas, Texas and California junior colleges. He also was responsible for offensive scouting and tracking offensive tendencies during games.

In 2015, Lett worked as an assistant with the defensive backs at the University of Tennessee at Martin. He also handled offensive scouting, opponent breakdown and tracking offensive tendencies during games.

The Skyhawks ranked 24th in the nation among FCS schools in third-down conversion.

10

Lett’s defensive backs recorded 30 pass break-ups and six interceptions that season.

Lett also coached All-OVC defensive back Marquis Clemons.

Lett recruited North Alabama, California, Kansas and Iowa junior colleges while at UT Martin. Additionally, he was responsible for organizing on-campus visits for up to 50 guests.

During the 2014–15 academic year, Lett coached defensive backs and taught mathematics at Davidson High School in Mobile.

He was responsible for installing defensive coverages for the secondary, coaching and teaching secondary techniques, and running the scout team offense. He coached one corner­back who went on to play NCAA Division I football.

Lett began his coaching career as defensive backs coach at Brainerd High School in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He assisted with installation and execution of the defensive system and defensive play calling.

Lett was a four-year starter in the secondary at Samford. He collected 110 tackles, four interceptions, 16 pass break-ups and two forced fumbles as a Bulldog.

He earned his bachelor’s degree from Samford in sports medicine in 2011. He received a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Tennessee Tech in 2012. His wife, Julia, is also a Samford graduate.

C.J. BENNETT

QUARTERBACKS/WIDE RECEIVERS ASSISTANT

C

. J. Bennett enters his second ­season on the Samford football coaching staff. He serves as an assistant, working with the quarterbacks and wide receivers.

During his first season in 2016, Bennett worked with Southern Conference Offensive Player of the Year quarterback Devlin Hodges. He assisted with an offense that ranked third in the nation in passing offense (349.4 ypg), sixth in red zone offense (.902), 11th in team pass efficiency (155.24), 12th in scoring offense (35.1 ppg) and 14th in total offense (446.2 ypg).

Bennett also assists with passing and situation game planning. He is also responsible for recruiting the South Florida area, and he handles the self-scout breakdown and tendency report.

Prior to coming to Samford, Bennett served as an offensive quality control coach at Maryland (2015), quality control coach and defensive backs assistant at Florida Atlantic (Spring 2015) and a student assistant at Murray State (Spring 2014).

Bennett played three seasons as a quarter­back at South Alabama, and then spent one season playing under current Samford Head Coach Chris Hatcher at Murray State. As a senior, Bennett was named a team captain.

WIL ROBINSON LINEBACKERS ASSISTANT

W

il Robinson enters his second season assisting Ross Newton with the linebackers.

Robinson scouts the opponent’s offense, assisting with the run game preparation throughout the week and handling personnel on game day. He also has numerous responsibilities on the special teams, assisting Mike Krysl in all phases. Robinson is responsible for the recruiting areas of Palm Beach, Daytona Beach, central Florida and central Mississippi.

In his first season with the Bulldogs, Robinson assisted in coaching All-American linebacker Shaheed Salmon, who registered 93 tackles, with 50 of those being solo tackles. Robinson was part of a defensive unit that finished fifth in the country in defensive touchdowns, with three of the four touchdowns coming from the linebacker core.

Between seasons at Samford, Robinson spent the summer of 2016 with the Philadelphia Eagles on the Bill Walsh Minority Internship. He learned from Eagles personnel while assisting with daily practice preparations and operational duties.

During the 2015 season, Robinson served as defensive quality control and linebackers coach assistant at his alma mater, Tennessee State University. In 2014, he worked as the full-time defensive line coach at William Penn University while earning his master’s degree.

Robinson played at Tennessee State University in Nashville from 2010 to 2013.

He was a part of the All-OVC Newcomer team, a defensive captain, and a member of a 2013 FCS playoff team whose playoff loss came only to Jimmy Garoppolo and the Eastern Illinois Panthers.

Robinson earned his undergraduate degree in interdisciplinary studies in 2013 with a concentration in mass communications and psychology. He earned his master’s in business leadership from William Penn in 2016.

RICKY TURNER GENERAL MANAGER

R

icky Turner enters his first year as general manager after serving as director of football operations last season.

Turner served the 2015 season as the special teams quality control coach and player personnel assistant. He was responsible for analyzing and breaking down opponent special teams film, assisting with the preparation of the ­special teams game plan each week, and making practice schedules and scout cards.

He also assisted with on-campus recruiting.

Prior to coming to Samford, Turner served as a football intern at Kennesaw State from January to April of 2015. He also worked as a student assistant at the University of South Carolina from 2011 to 2014.

Turner is a graduate of the University of South Carolina, graduating cum laude from the school with a B.S. in sport and entertainment management.

11

JAMES CARLSON

DIRECTOR OF EQUIPMENT SERVICES

J

ames Carlson begins his 16th season as a member of the Samford staff. He oversees and coordinates all equipment services for all Samford sports, working specifically with the football program. He also oversees Samford’s football facilities, including Seibert Stadium and the Sullivan-Cooney Family Field House

Carlson orders and maintains all equipment for the football team. He also organizes and oversees transport of all football equipment for road games, and handles the coaches’ sideline communication.

In his role as football facilities coordinator, Carlson coordinates the use and security of Seibert Stadium.

Before joining the Samford staff, Carlson spent three seasons as the football equipment manager and video coordinator at Henderson State University, where he handled day-to-day operations of the equipment room, film breakdown and computer scouting. At Henderson State, he worked for two seasons under former Samford Offensive Coordinator Doug Meacham and former Assistant Coach Patrick Nix.

A native of Warner Robins, Ga., Carlson is a member of the Athletic Equipment Managers Association. He and his wife, Brena, reside in the Birmingham area.

12

ROCKY SABBATINI

FOOTBALL VIDEO COORDINATOR

R

ocky Sabbatini is in his 10th season as video coordinator. He coordinates the filming and editing of all practices and games, as well as video exchange with opponents.

Sabbatini had served as a video assistant with the Atlanta Falcons since 2003.

He filmed games, practices and meetings, and edited the films. He prepared weekly film breakdowns for coaches and players, and ­created NFL draft profile tapes. He also assisted with team motivational tapes.

Before his stint with the Falcons, Sabbatini served as a video department intern with the St. Louis Rams from 2002 to 2003.

He organized and delivered video stills on game days, intercut practice tapes, copied and distributed practice tapes, and organized videotapes for each season.

In the fall of 2001, Sabbatini was the video coordinator for Cape Central High School in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. He was in charge of organizing and managing that season’s videotapes. In addition to videotaping all practices and games, he also scouted opposing teams.

From 1996 to 1999, Sabbatini was a video assistant for the Southeast Missouri State University football team. He was in charge of videotaping and copying practices and games, and he was responsible for videotape exchange.

Sabbatini is a 2002 graduate of Southeast Missouri State. He earned his Bachelor of Science in mass communication with emphasis on video production, and he held a minor in coaching.

Sabbatini and his wife, Breanna, have one son, Joey.

HUNTER MacKAY

DIRECTOR OF PLAYER PERSONNEL

H

unter MacKay enters his first season as director of player personnel. He spent the 2016 season on the Samford football staff as an offensive quality control.

MacKay worked closely with the offensive line, doing breakdowns and blitz charts. He assisted with second-team All-SoCon offensive guard Armando Bonheur and Nick Nixon, offensive tackle, who was named to the SoCon’s AllFreshman team.

Before coming to Samford, MacKay served as wide receivers coach at Mount De Sales Academy. He worked under Head Coach Keith Hatcher for one season as receivers coach and one year as strength and conditioning coach.

MacKay walked on at Mercer University as a wide receiver for the Bears. He earned a scholarship and played in all 24 games his junior and senior year. After earning his B.B.A. in sports business in 2015, he spent time as a volunteer helping coach receivers at his alma mater.

BEN ASHFORD MATT PRICE DIRECTOR OF STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING

B

en Ashford enters his third season as director of strength and con­ ditioning, working specifically with the football team.

He came to Samford from the University of Alabama, where he served on the strength and conditioning staff from 2012 to 2015.

Ashford started at the University of Alabama in January of 2012 as an intern in the strength and conditioning department. He worked with an assortment of athletic programs, including football, ­women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s tennis, women’s rowing, men’s and women’s swimming and diving, and cheerleading.

As an intern with the Crimson Tide, Ashford was responsible for programing and coaching team and individual workouts.

He also assisted with the rehabilitation for injured players, helped facilitate proper lifting technique for freshman athletes, and conducted speed and agility testing.

After working as an intern in the Crimson Tide strength and conditioning department for 18 months, Ashford assumed a full-time role when he was promoted to strength and conditioning coach in 2013. As a full-time staff member, Ashford worked with the football, baseball and men’s tennis teams.

Ashford earned his master’s degree in human performance from Alabama in May of 2013. He earlier completed a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Auburn University in 2004. After completing his undergraduate degree, Ashford spent five years working with three Birmingham construction companies: Rives Construction (2004), The Stewart Perry Company (2005–08) and Doster Construction (2008–09).

Ashford is certified as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist from the NSCA.

HEAD FOOTBALL ATHLETIC TRAINER

M

att Price enters his fourth season as head football athletic trainer at Samford. He is responsible for the prevention, management, treatment and rehabilitation of athletic injuries for football student-athletes.

Price came to Samford after working as assistant athletic trainer at Marshall University from August 2013 until joining the Samford staff in August 2014. While a fulltime athletic trainer at Marshall, he worked with the football and men’s and women’s golf teams.

Before being hired on a full-time basis at Marshall, Price worked as a graduate assistant with the Thundering Herd from August 2011 to May 2013. As a GA at Marshall, Price worked with the baseball, cheerleading and football teams.

Price began his athletic training career as a student assistant at the University of Alabama. He gained experience working with the women’s basketball and football teams, as well as with teams at Tuscaloosa County High School and the University Orthopedic Clinic.

As a student at Alabama, Price also worked at several camps, including the Gatorade Camps, Nike Football Camp, Judy Green Volleyball Camp and Nick Saban Camps.

In addition to his work in college athletics, Price served as an intern with the Atlanta Falcons in February 2009.

Price earned his B.S. in athletic training with a minor in food and nutrition from Alabama in 2011. He earned a master’s degree in sports administration from Marshall in 2013.

13

SUPPORT STAFF

14

Nick Anderson Offensive Quality Control

Justin Bates Offensive Quality Control

David DeLozier Operations and Recruiting Assistant

James Mahan Defensive Quality Control

Paige Mathis Director of Student-Athlete Academic Services

Brett Montgomery Offensive Quality Control

Taylor Payne Assistant Football Athletic Trainer

Andre Roper State Trooper

Nick Serritelli State Trooper

Cody Spoon Director of Social Media

Dustin Springer Defensive Quality Control

Jay Trotter Offensive Quality Control

Wes Wilhoite Assistant Equipment Manager

15

2017 PLAYERS SOPHOMORE

16

Robert Adams

20

Roland Adams

SOPHOMORE

24

Aaron Atkinson

SENIOR

53

Austin Barnard

SOPHOMORE

19

Nick Barton

FRESHMAN

80

Will Bazemore

WR

RB

LB

P

DB

WR

FRESHMAN

JUNIOR

SOPHOMORE

FRESHMAN

FRESHMAN

FRESHMAN

67

Garrett Brasher

63

Alfred Brown

DL

OL

FRESHMAN

SOPHOMORE

21

Jashua Carter

13

Rickenson Charles

23

William Bryant

40

Clay Buchweitz

SENIOR

SOPHOMORE

FRESHMAN

FRESHMAN

39

Chaz Claunch

23

Drew Couto

FRESHMAN

SOPHOMORE

JUNIOR

FRESHMAN

QB

RB

Robert Burke

WR

RB

Justin Curry

89

DB

DB

Carson Croy

Jake Burdeshaw

LB

DB

14

30

DB

DB

12 16

JUNIOR

33

Frank D’Alonzo

Y

66

Pete Dorsten

OL

19

Jai’Rus Creamer

10

Cooper Cross

WR

QB

SOPHOMORE

SOPHOMORE

71

Anthony Eads

OL

82

Yassar El-Amin

WR

FRESHMAN

16

Mason Favre

DB SOPHOMORE

56

Lewis Freeman

LS JUNIOR

34

Aaron Harris

LB SOPHOMORE

74

Matthew Holland

OL FRESHMAN

98

Armond Lloyd

DL 18

FRESHMAN

17

Carlos Figueroa

FRESHMAN

86

Sam Fleming

LB

WR

SOPHOMORE

JUNIOR

31

Jamond Glass

99

Ahmad Gooden

SENIOR

90

Xavier Forrest

SOPHOMORE

81

Justin Foster

FRESHMAN

10

Koi Freeman

DL

DL

DB

FRESHMAN

SOPHOMORE

SOPHOMORE

95

Brett Granger

76

George Grimwade

47

Alec Happel

DB

DL

DL

OL

LB

JUNIOR

JUNIOR

SENIOR

SOPHOMORE

JUNIOR

11

Andrew Harris

32

Darius Harvey

72

Robert Hatcher

41

Luke Hill

8

Devlin Hodges

X

DB

OL

Z

QB

FRESHMAN

JUNIOR

SOPHOMORE

SENIOR

SOPHOMORE

73

Reid Hulgan

78

Antwan Johnson

42

Dorsett Johnson

17

K’rondis Larry

77

Nate Lee

OL

OL

LB

RB

OL

SOPHOMORE

JUNIOR

SENIOR

SOPHOMORE

SENIOR

75

Brendan Loftus

OL

88

Kevin Marion

Y

92

1

Ke’Tyrus Marks

TaDarryl Marshall Jr.

DL

WR

2

Marquis McCullum

DB

205-345-0311 205-206-9792

JUNIOR

6

Kelvin McKnight

46

Carter McManes

Y

S

SENIOR

SENIOR

41

Sam Pettway

44

Deion Pierre

JUNIOR

84

Clarke Miller

H SOPHOMORE

79

Matthew Pittarelli

SOPHOMORE

43

Jalen Nash

JUNIOR

28

Coutrell Plair

DB

SENIOR

JUNIOR

SENIOR

SOPHOMORE

Horace Roberts

Shaheed Salmon

OL

DL

LB

FRESHMAN

SOPHOMORE

FRESHMAN

Connor Rafferty

64

Jordan Weaver

PK

7

Liam Welch

QB

50

Mike Williams

OL

Nick Nixon

FRESHMAN

OL

5

57

OL

LB

97

SOPHOMORE

DL

S

52

20

SENIOR

83

Chris Shelling

36

Anthony Preston

RB JUNIOR

60

Tyler Queen

JUNIOR

SOPHOMORE

25

Christian Stark

SENIOR

SENIOR

DB

Treyvon Paulk

ATH

DB

Omari Williams

4

OLB

WR

12

JUNIOR

35

Terrell Woods

DL

15

Jes Sutherland

QB JUNIOR

61

Chase Zeegers

LS

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2017 SIGNEES 2017 SIGNEE

27

Kendall Adams

87

Tanner Alexander

DB

WR

2017 SIGNEE

2017 SIGNEE

55

Iba Diop

22

Nathan East

2017 SIGNEE

68

Bruce Aubley

2017 SIGNEE

26

Caleb Clark

2017 SIGNEE

45

Tyler Crowder

2017 SIGNEE

59

Mason Dillard

OL

QB

LB

K

2017 SIGNEE

2017 SIGNEE

2017 SIGNEE

2017 SIGNEE

22

Grayson Edgemon

54

Jacob Enns

26

Tre’Shun Floyd

58

Jeremy Garth

DL

LB

QB

K

LB

DL

2017 SIGNEE

2017 SIGNEE

2017 SIGNEE

2017 SIGNEE

2017 SIGNEE

2017 SIGNEE

38

J.T. Gilbert

15

Ty Herring

24

Sean Hershey

21

Hunter Howell

94

Nelson Jordan

70

Zach Kadum

K

DB

WR

QB

DL

OL

2017 SIGNEE

2017 SIGNEE

2017 SIGNEE

2017 SIGNEE

2017 SIGNEE

2017 SIGNEE

96

Mike Kelly

DL 22

2017 SIGNEE

49

Javier King

LS

91

13

Joshua Long

Jordan Montgomery

DL

DB

14

Adam Moon

LB

37

Tucker Queen

DB

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2017 SIGNEE

9

Moise Satine

62

Austyn Skelton

2017 SIGNEE

65

Carter Smith

WR

OL

OL

2017 SIGNEE

2017 SIGNEE

2017 SIGNEE

85

Montrell Washington

WR

24

2017 SIGNEE

11

Kendall Watson

DB

29

Harrison Weltlich

DB

2017 SIGNEE

33

John Staton

2017 SIGNEE

69

Emmett Taliaferro

LB

DL

2017 SIGNEE

2017 SIGNEE

48

3

Cole Williams

Kentre’vious Williams

LB

WR

2017 SIGNEE

51

Adam Thomas

LS

TODAY’S GAME

T

he Samford football team will begin a season-ending two-game home stand by hosting ETSU for homecoming Saturday at 2 p.m. (CT) at Seibert Stadium. The game can be heard on FM-99.1 The Game or at www.991thegame.com. It can also be seen live on ESPN3.

Samford enters the game with a record of 6-3 overall and 4-2 in SoCon games.

The Bulldogs are coming off a 20-3 SoCon road win at Mercer last Saturday.

ETSU is currently 4-5 overall and 2-4 in league games. The Bucs are coming off a 24-6 win over VMI last weekend.

The Series The Samford Bulldogs and ETSU Bucs are meeting for just the fifth time, with Samford holding a 3-1 advantage in the series.

The teams met in 1989, 1990 and 1991, with Samford earning wins of 38-23, 17-13 and 31-6. Last season, the programs met for the first time as Southern Conference rivals, with ETSU taking a 15-14 victory on a last-second field goal.

Samford Against SoCon Teams Now in its 10th season as a member of the Southern Conference, Samford has a record of 41-35 in league games. So far this season, the Bulldogs are 4-2 in SoCon games.

Against the current members of the Southern Conference, Samford has an all-time record of 67-65-4. The Bulldogs are 3-1 all-time against Saturday’s opponent, the ETSU Bucs.

Samford’s overall record against each current SoCon member is: Chattanooga (10-30-3), The Citadel (5-6), ETSU (3-1), Furman (9-10), Mercer (13-10-1), VMI (5-0), Western Carolina (12-3) and Wofford (10-5).

Samford At Seibert Stadium Samford has an all-time record of 161-81-4 in games played at Seibert Stadium. This season, Samford has six home games on its schedule, and the Bulldogs are currently 3-1 in those contests.

Last season, Samford posted a perfect record of 5-0 in home games. In the last six years, Samford has a combined record of 28-9 when playing in the friendly confines of Seibert Stadium.

Samford head coach Chris Hatcher

Samford On Homecoming Samford has an all-time record of 52-23-6 in homecoming games. Last season, the Bulldogs earned a 24-19 win over Mercer for the team’s homecoming game.

In homecoming games at Seibert Stadium, Samford is 34-12-2. Samford has won its last four homecoming games in a row.

The Last Time Out The Samford football team used a strong performance on both sides of the ball to earn an impressive 20-3 Southern Conference road victory at Mercer last Saturday afternoon at Five Star Stadium.

For Samford offensively, junior quarterback Devlin Hodges completed 36-of-49 passes for 367 yards and two touchdowns.

Chris Shelling caught nine passes for 73 yards and two touchdowns. Montrell Washington had seven catches for 86 yards for the Bulldogs.

Defensively for Samford, Aaron Harris led the way with 13 tackles. Shaheed Salmon had 10 tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. The Bulldogs’

defense held Mercer to just 191 yards of total offense, while Samford totaled 465 total yards. The defense also recorded a pair of safeties. The game marks the first time in the modern era of Mercer football that the Bears have failed to score a touchdown.

Mercer’s Kaelan Riley completed 18-of-38 passes for 158 yards. The Bears’ defense was led by Will Coneway with 11 tackles and a forced fumble.

Statistical Comparison

Pts. Scored/Game Total Offense/Game First Downs Rushing Yds./Game Passing Yds./Game Time of Poss./Game 3rd Down Percentage Pts. Allowed/Game Yds. Allowed/Game Rushing Yds. All./Game Passing Yds. All./Game

SAM 27.9 415.7 195 78.0 337.7 27:39 39% 23.6 403.0 196.3 206.7

ETSU 22.3 296.7 154 76.1 220.6 30:49 34% 29.0 357.4 192.7 164.8

25

AROUND THE SOUTHERN CONFERENCE CURRENT STANDINGS

SOCON OVERALL TEAM RECORD PCT HOME AWAY NEUTRAL RECORD PCT HOME AWAY NEUTRAL Wofford 6-1 .857 3-1 3-0 0-0 8-1 .889 4-1 4-0 0-0 Furman 5-1 .833 3-0 2-1 0-0 6-3 .667 3-1 3-2 0-0 W. Carolina 5-2 .714 2-1 3-1 0-0 7-3 .700 3-1 4-2 0-0 Samford 4-2 .667 1-1 3-1 0-0 6-3 .667 3-1 3-2 0-0 The Citadel 3-4 .429 1-3 2-1 0-0 5-4 .556 2-3 3-1 0-0 Mercer 3-4 .429 2-2 1-2 0-0 4-5 .444 3-2 1-3 0-0 ETSU 2-4 .333 2-2 0-2 0-0 4-5 .444 4-2 0-3 0-0 Chattanooga 2-5 .286 0-3 2-2 0-0 2-8 .200 0-4 2-3 0-1 VMI 0-7 .000 0-3 0-4 0-0 0-10 .000 0-4 0-6 0-0

CHATTANOOGA (2-8, 2-5 SoCon) DATE OPPONENT Aug. 26 vs. Jacksonville State Sept. 9 at LSU Sept. 16 UT Martin Sept. 23 at VMI* Sept. 30 Western Carolina* Oct. 7 Furman* Oct. 14 at Mercer* Oct. 21 The Citadel* Oct. 28 at SAMFORD* Nov. 4 at Wofford* Nov. 18 ETSU* THE CITADEL (5-4, 3-4 SoCon) DATE OPPONENT Sept. 2 Newberry Sept. 9 Presbyterian Sept. 16 at ETSU* Sept. 30 at SAMFORD* Oct. 7 Mercer* Oct. 14 Wofford* Oct. 21 at Chattanooga* Oct. 28 VMI* Nov. 4 Western Carolina* Nov. 11 at Furman* Nov. 18 at Clemson ETSU (4-5, 2-4 SoCon) DATE OPPONENT Sept. 2 Limestone Sept. 9 at James Madison Sept. 16 The Citadel* Sept. 23 Mercer* Sept. 30 at Furman* Oct. 7 Robert Morris Oct. 14 at Western Carolina* Oct. 28 Wofford* Nov. 4 VMI* Nov. 11 at SAMFORD* Nov. 18 at Chattanooga*

26

TIME/RESULT L, 13-27 L, 10-45 L, 7-21 W, 63-7 L, 7-45 L, 17-41 L, 10-30 L, 14-20 W, 23-21 L, 21-24 (OT) 1 p.m.

FURMAN (6-3, 5-1 SoCon) DATE OPPONENT Sept. 2 at Wofford * Sept. 9 Elon Sept. 16 at North Carolina State Sept. 23 at Colgate Sept. 30 ETSU* Oct. 7 at Chattanooga* Oct. 14 VMI* Oct. 21 Mercer* Oct. 28 at Western Carolina * Nov. 11 The Citadel* Nov. 18 at SAMFORD*

TIME/RESULT W, 31-14 W, 48-7 W, 31-25 L, 14-35 L, 14-24.

L, 16-20 W, 20-14 W, 21-3 L, 19-31 1 p.m.

TBD

MERCER (4-5, 3-4 SoCon) DATE OPPONENT Aug. 31 Jacksonville Sept. 9 Wofford* Sept. 16 at Auburn Sept. 23 at ETSU* Sept. 30 VMI* Oct. 7 at The Citadel* Oct. 14 Chattanooga* Oct. 21 at Furman* Nov. 4 SAMFORD* Nov. 11 at Western Carolina* Nov. 18 at Alabama

TIME/RESULT W, 48-7 L, 27-28 L, 10-24 L, 23-26 (OT) W, 49-14 W, 21-14 W, 30-10 L, 21-28 L, 3-20 1 p.m.

TBD

TIME/RESULT W, 31-10 L, 10-52 L, 21-35 W, 26-23 (OT) L, 35-56 W, 16-3 L, 10-49 L, 24-31 W, 24-6 2 p.m.

1 p.m.

SAMFORD (6-3, 4-2 SoCon) DATE OPPONENT Aug. 31 Kennesaw State Sept. 7 West Alabama Sept. 16 at Georgia Sept. 23 at Western Carolina* Sept. 30 The Citadel* Oct. 7 at VMI* Oct. 21 at Wofford* Oct. 28 Chattanooga* Nov. 4 at Mercer* Nov. 11 ETSU* Nov. 18 Furman*

TIME/RESULT W, 28-23 W, 49-41 L, 14-42 L, 34-38 W, 35-14 W, 26-7 W, 24-21 L, 21-23 W, 20-3 2 p.m.

2:30 p.m.

TIME/RESULT L, 23-24 L, 31-34 L, 16-49 W, 45-14 W, 56-35 W, 41-17 W, 42-10 W, 28-21 W, 28-6 1 p.m.

2 p.m.

VMI (0-10, 0-7 SoCon) DATE OPPONENT Sept. 2 at Air Force Sept. 9 Catawba Sept. 16 at Robert Morris Sept. 23 Chattanooga* Sept. 30 at Mercer* Oct. 7 SAMFORD* Oct. 14 at Furman* Oct. 21 Western Carolina* Oct. 28 at The Citadel* Nov. 4 at ETSU* Nov. 11 Wofford*

TIME/RESULT L, 0-62 L, 20-27 L, 0-23 L, 7-63 L, 14-49 L, 7-26 L, 10-42 L, 7-26 L, 3-21 L, 6-24 12:30 p.m.

WESTERN CAROLINA (7-3, 5-2 SOCON) DATE OPPONENT Sept. 2 at Hawaii Sept. 9 Davidson Sept. 16 at Gardner-Webb Sept. 23 SAMFORD* Sept. 30 at Chattanooga* Oct. 7 at Wofford* Oct. 14 ETSU* Oct. 21 at VMI* Oct. 28 Furman* Nov. 4 at The Citadel* Nov. 11 Mercer* Nov. 18 at North Carolina

TIME/RESULT L, 18-41 W, 63-17 W, 42-27 W, 38-34 W, 45-7 L, 28-35 (OT) W, 49-10 W, 26-7 L, 6-28 W, 31-19 1 p.m.

TBD

WOFFORD (8-1, 6-1 SoCon) DATE OPPONENT Sept. 2 Furman* Sept. 9 at Mercer* Sept. 23 Gardner-Webb Sept. 30 at Presbyterian Oct. 7 Western Carolina* Oct. 14 at The Citadel* Oct. 21 SAMFORD* Oct. 28 at ETSU* Nov. 4 Chattanooga* Nov. 11 at VMI* Nov. 18 at South Carolina

TIME/RESULT W, 24-23 W, 28-27 W, 27-24 W, 31-7 W, 35-28 (OT) W, 20-16 L, 21-24 W, 31-24 W, 24-21 (OT) 12:30 p.m.

TBD

*Southern Conference game All times are Central; dates and times are subject to change.

2017 SAMFORD FALL SPORTS Aug. 31 (Thurs.)

Sept. 7 (Thurs.)

Sept. 16 Sept. 23 Sept. 30 Oct. 7 Oct. 21 Oct. 28 Nov. 4 Nov. 11 Nov. 18

FOOTBALL

KENNESAW STATE WEST ALABAMA at Georgia at Western Carolina* THE CITADEL* at VMI* at Wofford* CHATTANOOGA* at Mercer* EAST TENNESSEE STATE* FURMAN*

W, 28-23 L, 49-41 L, 14-42 L, 34-38 W, 35-14 W, 26-7 W, 24-21 L, 21-23 W, 20-3 2 p.m.

2:30 p.m.

*Southern Conference game

Aug. 18 Aug. 20 Aug. 24 Aug. 27 Sept. 1 Sept. 3 Sept. 8 Sept. 10 Sept. 15 Sept. 17 Sept. 22 Sept. 24 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 8 Oct. 13 Oct. 15 Oct. 20 Oct. 22 Oct. 28 Nov. 3

SOCCER

at Memphis at Alabama #14 FLORIDA STATE MICHIGAN STATE ALABAMA STATE at Kennesaw State GEORGIA at Western Kentucky at UC Davis at St. Mary’s at Western Carolina* at ETSU* CHATTANOOGA* UNCG* VMI* at Mercer* at The Citadel* WOFFORD* (Senior Night) FURMAN* Mercer> vs. UNCG*

L, 0-3 L, 1-2 L, 2-4 L, 2-3 W, 1-0 L, 0-1 T, 1-1 W, 1-0 W, 1-0 W, 1-0 W, 1-0 W, 2-0 W, 3-1 W,2-0 W, 4-0 W, 3-1 W, 2-1 W, 2-0 T, 0-0 W, 5-0 L, 1-2 (2 OT)

All times are Central and subject to change * Southern Conference match > The first round of the SoCon Tournament will be held at the home site of the higher-seeded team ^ SoCon Tournament match

27

VOLLEYBALL

Aug. 25 SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA† OHIO† Aug. 26 MURRAY STATE† Sept. 1 vs. Milwaukee†† Sept. 2 vs. Fairfield†† Sept. 3 at Loyola†† Sept. 8 vs. Delaware State‡

vs. UTEP‡ Sept. 9 vs. Abilene Christian‡

at New Mexico State‡ Sept. 12 ALABAMA Sept. 15 vs. FGCU‡ ‡ Sept. 16 at Indiana‡ ‡

vs. UNLV‡ ‡ Sept. 22 THE CITADEL* Sept. 23 WOFFORD* Sept. 29 at Western Carolina* Sept. 30 at UNCG* Oct. 6 at Chattanooga* Oct. 7 at ETSU* Oct. 11 MERCER* Oct. 14 FURMAN* Oct. 20 at Wofford* Oct. 21 at The Citadel* Oct. 27 UNCG* Oct. 28 WESTERN CAROLINA* Nov. 3 ETSU* Nov. 4 CHATTANOOGA* Nov. 8 at Mercer* Nov. 10 at Furman* Nov. 17-19 at SoCon Tournament Dec. 1-3 at NCAA Tournament

W, 3-0 L, 2-3 L, 1-3 L, 0-3 W, 3-2 L, 1-3 W, 3-0 L, 1-3 L, 2-3 L, 0-3 L, 1-3 L, 0-3 W, 3-2 W, 3-1 L, 0-3 W, 3-1 W, 3-1 W, 3-2 L, 1-3 L, 3-1 W, 3-1 L, 0-3 L, 0-3 W, 3-1 L, 2-3 W, 3-1 L, 1-3 W, 3-2 5 p.m.

7 p.m.

TBA TBA

*SoCon game † Courtyard by Marriott Invitational †† Loyola–Chicago Invitational ‡ New Mexico State Invitational ‡ ‡ Indiana Invitational

Sept. 1 Sept. 16 Sept. 30 Oct. 13 Oct. 28 Nov. 10 Nov. 18

CROSS COUNTRY Jacksonville State University Opener at Falcon Classic at Greater Louisville Classic at Crimson Classic at SoCon Championships at NCAA South Regional at NCAA Championships

W-6th/M-5th W-3rd/M-3rd W-11th/M-22nd W-4th/M-8th W-2nd/M-3rd All Day All Day

Home events are in CAPS. All times are Central; dates and times are subject to change.

27

Xavier Forrest

HAVING FUN WITH FOOTBALL

by Joey Mullins, Samford Athletics Communication

S

amford Head Coach Chris Hatcher has a saying that he mentions to his team each week. “The team that has the most fun wins.”

One player that has embraced that philosophy is senior defensive lineman Xavier Forrest.

“Every day after practice, Coach Hatcher and I start at the 50-yard line and race,” Forrest said. “We’re always getting on each other and it’s just us having fun, kind of bringing that camaraderie from the coaches down, and everyone being together. That’s what it’s all about here.”

Forrest has had a love for the sport of football since an early age. Seeing a relative of his play football in college, and eventually the NFL, had a big influence on him.

“I was around the age of six when I started playing football,” Forrest said. “My cousin, Troy Fleming, he’s the one who influenced me to start playing football. He played at the University of Tennessee and later got drafted by the Titans in the fifth round of the NFL Draft.”

Forrest said being around football from early age helped him pick up the game quickly once he started playing.

“I really didn’t pick up a certain position, but I feel like I got a natural feel for the game when I first started off,” Forrest said.

“Just because I had been around the game, and my family has been involved in the game. So, I’ve just been in it as long as I can remember.”

In high school, Forrest played at Ensworth High School in Nashville, Tennessee. He helped lead his team to four-straight state titles, and he was named All-State and All-Region twice. He said, despite all of the success he experienced in high school, he has enjoyed his experience at Samford much more than the one he had in high school.

“Honestly, it kind of started to feel natural,” Forrest said about his high school experience. “At points it would start to feel like we weren’t having fun, but then at times it was like, we know what we’re here to do so let’s go out there and do it. It kind of felt like a job. Being here and looking for something and having a chip on our shoulder is kind of more fun to me than when I was in high school. It wasn’t the quality of experience I was looking for.”

28

Forrest played both tight end and defensive end in high school. His first love was always defense, which is one of the reasons he ended up at Samford.

Despite interest as an offensive player from Mississippi State and Kentucky of the SEC, Forrest wanted to play defense, and Samford offered him that opportunity.

“They were the only school that would let me play defense,” Forrest said. “I had offers to play offense at some SEC schools, but my heart was always into playing defense. Samford was the one to give me a chance to try to play here.”

In his first season at Samford in 2014, Forrest saw action in seven games as a reserve defensive lineman, before having his season cut short by an injury. He finished that freshman campaign with four tackles, all solo.

Despite having his freshman season end early, Forrest said he felt like he picked up the college game quickly. He came back that following spring, working hard to get back into playing shape.

“It was just the speed of the game that you really had to get used to,” Forrest said. “But I had my season cut short when

I dislocated by elbow when we played Furman. So, that took me out of the rhythm, but when we got back into spring, I just picked up where I left off.”

Forrest’s hard work paid off in his sophomore season. He started all 11 games in 2015, finishing the season with 31 total tackles, including 13 solo stops. He also had 5.0 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks that season.

As a junior in 2016, Forrest was again a starter for the Bulldogs. He tallied 40 tackles, 16 solo on the season. Forrest also added 4.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks during his junior campaign.

At the conclusion of the regular season, Samford earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Division I-FCS Playoffs for just the fourth time in program history. Forrest had five total tackles, including a tackle for loss in his college postseason debut.

Forrest has battled injuries again during his senior season, but has continued to fight through them. He says, during his time at Samford, he has been pleased with how he has progressed as a player.

“I feel like I’ve progressed well,” Forrest said. “Because we’ve had some great coaches come through here, starting with Coach (Chris) Boone and now Coach (Victor) Cabral, who has been my coach for the last three years. He’s really developed my skills and turned me into the player that he really sees that I can be, and that fits our scheme.”

As he nears the end of his college playing career, Forrest said his teammates are what he will miss the most. He said the time he has spent with his fellow studentathletes has meant a great deal to him.

“Honestly, the brotherhood we have here means a lot to me,” Forrest said. “Everyone comes together and rallies behind you whenever you mess up or something is going bad with you, everybody is there for you at all times. It’s something that you can’t find in many places. You move on to other places, but I feel like these guys will be with me for life. They’re honestly just like my brothers.”

Forrest is working toward his degree in public administration from Samford.

He said, once his Samford playing days are over, he has a couple of options he is considering.

“I’m not really sure what I’m going to do right now,” Forrest said. “I’d like to go to the next level, obviously. Everyone would like to play in the NFL, because that’s the dream you’ve had since you were little if you played football. I’ll go into hospital administration and try to go to graduate school if football doesn’t work out.”

These final two home games will be special for Forrest and his fellow seniors.

They hope to wrap up their careers on a positive note. Regardless of the outcome of these games, Forrest has had a positive experience at Samford, and he has had a positive impact on the Samford football program.

29

Numerical Rosters SAMFORD BULLDOGS

30

NO

NAME

POS

HT

WT

CL

HOMETOWN/PREVIOUS SCHOOL

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 10 11 11 12 12 13 13 14 14 15 15 16 16 17 17 18 19 19 20 20 21 21 22 22 23 23 24 24 25 25 26 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 33 34 35 36 36 37 38 39 40 41 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63

TaDarryl Marshall Jr. Marquis McCullum Kentre’vious Williams Treyvon Paulk Shaheed Salmon Kelvin McKnight Liam Welch Devlin Hodges Moise Satine Koi Freeman Cooper Cross Andrew Harris Kendall Watson Omari Williams Carson Croy Jordan Montgomery Rickenson Charles Justin Curry Adam Moon Jes Sutherland Ty Herring Robert Adams Mason Favre K’rondis Larry Carlos Figueroa C.J. Figueroa Jai’Rus Creamer Nick Barton Roland Adams Amanchi Rochas Jashua Carter Hunter Howell Nathan East Grayson Edgemon William Bryant Drew Couto Aaron Atkinson Sean Hershey Christian Stark Jacob Garrard Tre’Shun Floyd Caleb Clark Kendall Adams Coutrell Plair Harrison Weltlich Jake Burdeshaw Jamond Glass Darius Harvey Frank D’Alonzo John Staton Aaron Harris Terrell Woods Conner Rohling Anthony Preston Tucker Queen J.T. Gilbert Chaz Claunch Clay Buchweitz Sam Pettway Luke Hill Dorsett Johnson Jalen Nash Deion Pierre Tyler Crowder Carter McManes Alec Happel Cole Williams Javier King Ryan Holcomb Mike Williams Adam Thomas Connor Rafferty Austin Barnard Jacob Enns Iba Diop Lewis Freeman Nick Nixon Jeremy Garth Mason Dillard Tyler Queen Chase Zeegers Austyn Skelton Alfred Brown

WR DB WR RB LB Y QB QB WR DB QB X DB DB QB DB DB RB LB QB DB WR DB RB LB LB WR DB RB DB DB QB LB QB DB RB LB WR DB QB LB QB DB DB DB DB DB DB Y LB LB DL DB OLB DB K DB LB S Z LB DL LB LB S LB LB LS LB OL LS OL P K DL LS OL DL K ATH LS OL OL

6-1 6-0 6-1 5-9 6-2 5-9 6-3 6-1 5-9 6-3 6-3 6-1 5-8 6-1 6-0 6-1 5-9 5-10 6-1 6-2 6-3 6-3 5-10 5-6 5-9 5-7 6-4 5-10 5-10 6-0 6-1 6-4 6-2 6-4 6-1 5-8 6-0 5-10 6-2 6-2 6-0 6-2 6-0 6-0 5-11 6-0 5-10 5-11 5-7 6-2 6-0 6-2 5-10 6-0 5-11 6-4 6-1 6-0 5-11 5-11 6-2 6-3 6-3 5-11 6-0 6-1 5-11 5-7 6-1 6-5 6-0 6-3 6-4 6-0 6-3 6-1 6-4 5-11 5-8 6-1 6-1 6-4 6-4

185 190 180 190 232 188 195 205 172 200 195 185 165 200 200 180 178 205 200 190 185 200 180 150 180 215 210 200 205 190 195 200 200 190 200 186 215 175 207 180 208 225 167 170 170 183 180 185 194 210 228 250 170 220 181 190 186 221 202 184 215 245 230 220 193 220 205 170 186 277 215 305 210 165 270 215 260 230 175 210 275 295 275

So. Sr. Fr. Jr. Sr. Jr. So. Jr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Jr. Fr. Sr. Fr. Fr. So. So. Fr. So. Fr. So. Fr. Sr. Fr. Fr. Fr. So. Jr. Jr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. So. So. So. Fr. Jr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. So. Jr. Jr. Fr. Jr. Sr. Fr. Jr. Fr. Fr. Sr. Fr. Sr. So. So. So. Sr. Fr. Sr. So. Fr. Fr. So. Fr. Fr. Sr. Sr. Fr. Fr. So. So. Fr. Fr. Jr. Jr. Fr. Jr.

Leeds, Ala./Leeds HS Birmingham, Ala./ULM Baconton, Ga./Mitchell County HS Alpharetta, Ga./Hutchinson CC Tampa, Fla./Land O’ Lakes HS Bradenton, Fla./Manatee HS Augusta, Ga./Aquinas HS Kimberly, Ala./Mortimer-Jordan HS Avon Park, Fla./Avon Park HS Leeds, Ala./Leeds HS Marietta, Ga./Lassiter HS Canton, Ga./Cherokee HS Chattanooga, Tenn./The McCallie School Birmingham, Ala/Parker HS Brentwood, Tenn./Brentwood HS Anniston, Ala./Walter Welborn HS Miami, Fla./Northwestern HS Fort Smith, Ark./Northside HS Norcross, Ga./Wesleyan School College Park, Ga./Woodward Academy Fernandina, Fla./Fernandina Beach HS Montgomery, Ala./Trinity Presbyterian Bay St. Louis, Miss./St. Stanislaus HS Miami, Fla./Booker T. Washington HS Homewood, Ala./Homewood HS Homewood, Ala./Homewood HS Rome, Ga./Rome HS Brentwood, Tenn./Ravenwood HS Florence, Ala./Florence HS Dallas, Texas/Cambridge School of Dallas Birmingham, Ala./Ramsay HS Hoover, Ala./Spain Park HS McCalla, Ala./McAdory HS Madison, Ala./Madison Academy Leesburg, Ga./Lee County HS Tarpon Springs, Fla./East Lake HS Hazel Green, Ala./Hazel Green HS Cornelius, N.C./Hough HS Norcross, Ga./Wesleyan HS Madison, Miss./St. Joseph Catholic School Auburn, Ala./Auburn HS Evans, Ga./Greenbrier HS Lilburn, Ga./Providence Christian Brentwood, Tenn./Brentwood Academy Roswell, Ga./Blessed Trinity HS Homewood, Ala./Homewood HS Atlanta, Ga./Grady HS Tallahassee, Fla./Lincoln HS Mobile, Ala./Saint Paul’s Episcopal Atlanta, Ga./Lovett HS Norcross, Ga./Southern Mississippi Boaz, Ala./Boaz HS Vestavia Hills, Ala./Vestavia Hills HS Bradenton, Fla./IMG Academy Vestavia Hills, Ala./Vestavia Hills HS Nashville, Tenn./Christ Presbyterian Academy Brea, Calif./Lutheran HS Roswell, Ga./Fellowship Christian Mobile, Ala./UMS-Wright Franklin, Tenn./Franklin HS Memphis, Tenn./Central HS Huntersville, N.C./Army Pembroke Pines, Fla./Somerset ­Academy Fayettesville, Ga./Whitewater HS Alpharetta, Ga./Blessed Trinity HS Arlington, Texas/Lamar HS Suwanee, Ga./North Gwinnett HS Homewood, Ala./Homewood HS Madison, Miss./Madison Central HS Bessemer, Ala./Bessemer Academy Cumming, Ga./South Forsyth HS Tampa, Fla./Robinson HS Fayetteville, Ga./University of Miami Tampa, Fla./Cambridge Christian HS Rockville, Md./Richard Montgomery HS Dunwoody, Ga./Dunwoody HS Hendersonville, Tenn./Pope John Paul II HS Madison, Ala./James Clemens HS Mountain Brook, Ala./Mountain Brook HS Birmingham, Ala./Vestavia Hills HS Fayetteville, N.C./Fayetteville Christian St. Simons Island, Ga./Frederica Academy Moultrie, Ga./Colquitt County HS

NO NAME

64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 99

Jordan Weaver Carter Smith Pete Dorsten Garrett Brasher Bruce Aubley Emmett Taliaferro Zach Kadum Anthony Eads Robert Hatcher Reid Hulgan Matthew Holland Brendan Loftus George Grimwade Nate Lee Antwan Johnson Matthew Pittarelli Will Bazemore Justin Foster Yassar El-Amin Chris Shelling Clarke Miller Montrell Washington Sam Fleming Tanner Alexander Kevin Marion Robert Burke Xavier Forrest Joshua Long Ke’Tyrus Marks Champ Stewart Nelson Jordan Brett Granger Mike Kelly Horace Roberts Armond Lloyd Ahmad Gooden Ahmad Gooden

POS

HT

WT

CL

HOMETOWN/PREVIOUS SCHOOL

PK OL OL DL OL DL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL WR DL WR WR H WR WR WR Y WR DL DL DL DL DL DL DL DL DL DL DL

6-2 6-2 6-3 6-4 6-3 6-2 6-3 6-3 6-0 6-4 6-3 6-7 6-8 6-5 6-6 6-6 6-0 6-5 5-11 5-8 6-1 5-9 6-2 5-10 6-4 6-3 6-3 6-1 6-2 6-4 6-2 6-5 6-0 6-3 6-4 6-1 6-1

195 250 230 245 290 215 292 253 315 295 275 300 305 325 300 260 205 275 175 170 205 175 205 164 228 220 295 252 303 215 230 240 230 312 277 240 240

Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. So. Sr. Fr. So. So. So. So. Jr. So. Fr. So. So. So. Jr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Jr. Fr. Sr. Fr. Sr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Jr. Fr. Jr. RS-So.

Norcross, Ga./Wesleyan School Kennesaw, Ga./Mount Paran Christian School Thompsons Station, Tenn./Independence HS Alpharetta, Ga./Mount Pisgah HS Jacksonville, Fla./Bishop Kenny HS Kennesaw, Ga./Mount Paran HS Silver Creek, Ga./Rome HS Harpersville, Ala./Coosa Valley Academy Leesburg, Ga./Lee County HS Fort Payne, Ala./Fort Payne HS Mobile, Ala./St. Luke’s Episcopal Tallahassee, Fla./University of Miami Miami, Fla./Gulliver Prep Valdosta, Ga./Lowndes HS Thomasville, Ala./Thomasville HS Marietta, Ga./Pope HS Forsyth, Ga./Mary Persons HS Anniston, Ala./The Donoho School Douglasville, Ga./Douglas County HS Lawrenceville, Ga./Army Tampa, Fla./Plant HS Canton, Ga./Cherokee HS Suwanee, Ga./Lambert HS Buford, Ga./Burford HS Spanish Fort, Ala./Spanish Fort HS Brentwood, Tenn./Brentwood Academy Nashville, Tenn./Ensworth HS Columbus, Ga./Brookstone HS West Palm Beach, Fla./University of Arkansas Birmingham, Ala./Briarwood Christian Starkville, Miss./Starkville HS Helena, Ala./Helena HS Hallandale, Fla./Hallandale Magnet HS College Park, Ga./Banneker HS Birmingham, Ala./Oak Mountain HS Talladega, Ala./Talladega HS Talladega, Ala./Talladega HS

CL

HOMETOWN/PREVIOUS SCHOOL

ETSU BUCS NO

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 29 30 31 32 33 35 36 38 39 40 41 42 43 45 46

NAME

Domenique Williams Kaman Cooper Dontavius Monroe Vincent Lowe Keanu James Jajuan Stinson Austin Herink River Boruff Drake Powell Austin Gatewood Trey Quillin Dylan Wieger Jeremy Lewis Tyree Robinson Falon Lee Quan Harrison Malik Styles Nick Sexton Andrew Heyward Jack Shoulders Zack Yancey Charlie Jackson Alonzo Francois Daren Ardis Artevius Smith Matt Thompson Jevon Gooden Cory Colder Paul Hunter JD Griffin Tony Mitchell Christian Gibson Blake Rodgers Karon Delince Stephen Antonelli Dylan Weigel James Gowen III Evan Wick Titus Tucker Nasir Player Marion Watson

POS

DB DB RB WR DB RB QB LB WR LB LB QB DB DB RB WR WR QB WR WR LB DB LB DB DB RB LB RB DB LB LB LB RB DB TE LB RB TE DB DL K/P

HT

5-10 6-2 5-8 5-9 5-10 5-9 6-3 6-2 6-2 6-1 6-2 6-3 5-11 5-11 5-10 5-10 5-10 6-3 6-0 6-0 5-11 6-2 5-9 5-10 5-10 5-11 5-10 5-8 5-11 6-3 5-11 6-1 6-1 5-9 6-3 6-0 5-10 6-4 6-2 6-6 6-2

WT

160 205 186 181 172 186 209 228 200 225 235 235 174 177 203 183 176 204 175 184 210 192 197 169 172 227 181 205 183 233 187 200 223 170 226 220 197 249 215 247 160

Jr. So. So. Sr. Jr. RJr. RJr. RJr. Jr. RJr. RJr. RSo. So. Fr. RSr. RSo. RJr. RJr. RSo. RSo. Fr. RSo. RJr. Sr. RFr. RJr. Sr. RJr. Sr. So. So. RSo. RFr. Fr. RJr. RJr. So. Jr. Fr. RSo. Jr.

Charlotte, N.C./West Mecklenburg Warner Robins, Ga./Butler CC Delray Beach, Fla./Atlantic HS Chesapeake, Va./Old Dominion Dacula, Ga./Mill Creek HS Knoxville, Tenn./Knox Central HS Cleveland, Tenn./Cleveland HS Sparta, Tenn./White County HS Clinton, Tenn./Clinton HS Ooltewah, Tenn./East Hamilton HS New Albany, Ohio/New Albany HS Kingsport, Tenn./Sullivan South HS Lawrenceville, Ga./Collins Hill HS Gainesville, Ga./Gainesville HS Macclenny, Fla./Miami Ohio Greeneville, Tenn./Greeneville HS Dandridge, Tenn./Jefferson County, HS Seymour, Tenn./Seymour HS Powder Springs, Ga./McEachern HS Nashville, Tenn./Father Ryan HS Opelika, Ala./Opelika HS Christiansburg, Va./Christiansburg HS Ooltewah, Tenn./East Hamilton HS Bradenton, Fla./Rochester Comm & Tech Birmingham, Ala./Clay-Chalkville HS Morristown, Tenn./The Citadel Jamaica Queens, N.Y./Mt. San Jacinto Ashburn, Va./East Coast Prep Denton, Texas/Trinity Valley CC Kodak, Tenn./Sevier County HS Robertsdale, Ala./Spanish Fort HS Bristol, Tenn./Tennessee High Kingsport, Tenn./Dobyns-Bennett HS Phenix City, Ala./Central HS Clinton, Tenn./Clinton HS Pickerington, Ohio/Pickerington North Charlotte, N.C./Olympics HS Hallettsville, Texas/Blinn CC Lenoir, N.C./West Caldwell HS Columbia, S.C./Ridge View HS Waxhaw, N.C./Marvin Ridge HS

31

Numerical Rosters 47 48 49 51 52 54 55 56 57 58 61 62 65 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 94 96 97 99

32

Bryce Suber Haddon Hill Jason Maduafokwa Austin Rowan Spencer Brien Colton Lakes Devon Johnson Adam Mullins Matt Pyke Greg McCloud Isaiah Jones Mason McNutt Ben Blackmon Myles Smith Michael Scates Sammy Hall Alex Rios Dustin Nickle Eddie Gajardo Myles Taylor Cody Cornelius Garrett Curtis Kevin McConnell Cameron Parker Hunter Wike Adam Mitchell Merrick Mullins Joe DeFatta Justin Gilliam JJ Jerman Kobe Kelley Dylan Dockery Braxton Richburg Anthony Spagnoletti Ferguierson Charles Chris Bouyer Joe Pittman Olajuwon Pinkelton Landon Kunak Tremond Ferrell Blake Bockrath

DB FB DL DL LB LB DL LS OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL LS OL OL OL OL OL OL WR TE WR K/P TE K/P WR TE WR WR DL DL LB DL K/P DL LB

5-10 6-1 6-3 6-1 6-0 6-5 6-3 6-0 6-2 6-5 6-4 6-4 6-3 6-5 6-5 6-4 6-5 6-2 6-6 6-6 6-6 6-2 6-7 6-6 6-2 6-3 6-3 5-8 6-2 5-10 6-2 6-2 6-0 6-2 5-11 6-2 6-5 6-7 6-2 6-2 6-6

184 230 256 265 225 225 267 230 302 297 319 275 294 303 290 298 295 226 291 267 287 310 291 291 189 210 192 176 228 174 184 226 181 188 288 278 247 236 184 288 224

Sr. RSo. RSo. So. RJr. RFr. RSo. RJr. RJr. RSo. Fr. RSo. RSo. RSo. RJr. RSr. Sr. RSo. RFr. RSo. Jr. RSo. RSo. RFr. RJr. RSo. Jr. RJr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. RFr. RSo. RSr. Jr. RSo. RFr. RSo. Jr. RFr.

Lebanon, Tenn./Lebanon HS Knoxville, Tenn./Hardin Valley Academy Seymour, Tenn./The King’s Academy Knoxville, Tenn./Knox Catholic Gatlinburg, Tenn./Gatlinburg-Pittman Loveland, Ohio/Loveland HS Alpharetta, Ga./Alpharetta HS Elizabethton, Tenn./Elizabethton HS Clinton, Tenn./Anderson County HS Nashville, Tenn./The Ensworth School Clemmons, N.C./West Forsyth HS Knoxville, Tenn./South-Doyle HS Newberry, S.C./Newberry HS Chattanooga, Tenn./Red Bank HS Knoxville, Tenn./Fulton HS Smithville, WVa./U of Charleston Tucson, Ariz./Pima CC Knoxville, Tenn./Webb School Greeneville, Tenn./Greeneville HS Franklin, Tenn./Battle Ground Academy Harrogate, Tenn./Cumberland Gap HS Knoxville, Tenn./Hardin Valley Academy Hiawassee, Ga./Towns County HS Asheville, N.C./TC Roberson HS Canton, N.C./Pisgah HS Bristol, Tenn./Tennessee HS Glade Spring, Va./UVA Wise Franklin, Tenn./MTSU Jonesville, Va./Lee County HS Seymour, Tenn./Seymour HS Knoxville, Tenn./Grace Christian Academy Newport, Tenn./Cocke County HS Hoschton, Ga./Mill Creek HS Bealeton, Va./Liberty HS Fort Myers, Fla./Fort Myers HS Rock Hill, S.C./Northwestern HS Pell City, Ala./UAB Cincinnati, Ohio/Mount Healthy HS Spartanburg, S.C./Spartanburg HS Washington, Ga./Washington-Wilkes HS Loveland, Ohio/Kings HS

Depth SAMFORD ChartsBULLDOGS OFFENSE QB

OR X

H

Y

Z

F

LT

LG

C

RG

RT

8 7 15 11 16 83 85 6 84 1 19 9 4 57 68 73 52 77 52 50 75 78 63

DEVLIN HODGES Liam Welch Jes Sutherland ANDREW HARRIS Robert Adams CHRIS SHELLING Montrell Washington KELVIN MCKNIGHT Clarke Miller TADARRYL MARSHALL Jai’Rus Creamer MOISE SATINE Treyvon Paulk NICK NIXON Bruce Aubley REID HULGAN Connor Rafferty NATE LEE Connor Rafferty MIKE WILLIAMS Brendan Loftus ANTWAN JOHNSON Alfred Brown

6-1 6-3 6-2 6-1 6-3 5-8 5-9 5-9 6-1 6-1 6-4 5-9 5-9 6-4 6-3 6-4 6-3 6-5 6-3 6-5 6-7 6-6 6-4

DEFENSE STUD

DT

NG

DE

99 95 90 98 97 92 35 43

AHMAD GOODEN Brett Granger XAVIER FORREST Aramond Lloyd HORACE ROBERTS Ke’tyrus Marks TERRELL WOODS Jalen Nash

6-1 240 JR. 6-5 240 Fr. 6-3 295 SR. 6-4 277 Fr. 6-3 312 JR. 6-2 303 Sr. 6-2 250 SR. 6-3 245 So.

OFFENSE QB 7

19 TB 6

3

15 FB 48

84 TE 87

42 X 9

88 -OR- 17 Y 86

20 -OR- 80 Z 4

89 -OR- 21 LT 68

73 LG 65

62 C 57

77 RG 67

58 RT 70

72

AUSTIN HERINK Nick Sexton JAJUAN STINSON Dontavius Monroe Falon Lee HADDON HILL Justin Gilliam DYLAN DOCKERY Evan Wick DRAKE POWELL Braxton Richburg Quan Harrison KOBE KELLEY Andrew Heyward Hunter Wike VINCENT LOWE Anthony Spagnoletti Jack Shoulders MICHAEL SCATES Myles Taylor BEN BLACKMON Mason McNutt MATT PYKE Garrett Curtis MYLES SMITH Greg McCloud ALEX RIOS Eddie Gajardo

6-3 6-3 5-9 5-8 5-10 6-1 6-2 6-2 6-4 6-2 5-11 5-10 6-2 6-0 6-2 5-9 6-2 6-0 6-5 6-6 6-3 6-4 6-2 6-2 6-5 6-5 6-5 6-6

206 192 183 186 203 228 216 220 240 198 180 177 184 175 184 181 179 184 290 267 289 273 297 310 285 297 295 291

RS-JR. Jr. RS-JR. So. RS-Sr. RS-SO. Jr. RS-JR. Jr. RS-JR. RS-Fr. RS-So. JR. RS-So. RS-Jr. SR. RS-So. RS-So. JR. RS-So. RS-SO. RS-So. RS-JR. RS-So. RS-SO. RS-So. SR RS-Fr.

DEFENSE DE

DT

NASIR PLAYER Jason Maduafokwa TREMOND FERRELL Ferguierson Charles

6-5 6-3 6-2 5-11

257 259 288 288

RS-SO. RS-So. JR. RS-Sr.

205 195 190 185 200 170 175 188 205 185 210 172 190 260 190 295 305 325 305 277 300 300 275

JR. So. So JR. So. SO. Fr. JR. Jr. SO. Fr. FR. Jr. SO. Fr. FR. Sr. SO. Sr. FR. So. JR. Jr.

SLB

MLB

WLB

CB

FS

SS

CB

25 42 44 24 5 34 12 21 46 23 41 10 32 2 or 31

CHRISTIAN STARK Dorsett Johnson DEION PIERRE Aaron Atkinson SHAHEED SALMON Aaron Harris OMARI WILLIAMS Joshua Carter CARTER MCMANES Wukkuan Bryant SAM PETTWAY Koi Freeman DARIUS HARVEY Marquis McCullum Jamond Glass

6-2 6-2 6-3 6-0 6-2 6-0 6-1 6-1 6-0 6-1 5-11 6-3 5-11 6-0 5-10

207 215 230 215 232 228 200 195 193 190 202 200 185 190 180

JR. So. SR. So. SR. Jr. SR. Fr. SR. Fr. Sr. Fr. JR. Sr. So.

SPECIAL TEAMS P 53

64 KO 53 PK 64

59 LS 60

56 H 53 KOR 32

85 KOR 20

4 PR 6

85

AUSTIN BARNARD Jordan Weaver AUSTIN BARNARD JORDAN WEAVER Mason Dillard TYLER QUEEN Lewis Freeman AUSTIN BARNARD DARIUS HARVEY Montrell Washington ROLAND ADAMS Treyvon Paulk KELVIN MCKNIGHT Montrell Washington

6-4 6-2 6-4 6-2 5-8 6-1 6-1 6-4 5-11 5-9 5-10 5-9 5-8 5-9

210 165 210 165 175 210 215 210 185 175 205 190 185 175

SR. Fr. SR. FR. Fr. JR. So. SR. JR. Fr. JR. Jr. SO. Fr.

DE

LB

LB

LB

LB

CB

FS

SS

CB

CHRIS BOUYER Devon Johnson BLAKE BOCKRATH Trey Quillin AUSTIN GATEWOOD Jevon Gooden RIVER BORUFF JD Griffin DYLAN WEIGEL Colton Lakes DAREN ARDIS Karon Delince PAUL HUNTER Tyree Robinson KAMAN COOPER Titus Tucker JEREMY LEWIS Domenique Williams

6-2 6-3 6-6 6-2 6-1 5-10 6-1 6-3 6-0 6-5 5-10 5-9 5-11 5-11 6-2 6-2 5-11 5-10

276 267 222 230 221 181 219 227 220 221 166 170 183 177 205 215 171 160

JR. RS-So. RS-FR. RS-Jr. RS-JR. Sr. RS-JR. So. RS-JR. RS-Fr. SR. Fr. SR. Fr. SO. Fr. SO. Jr.

LANDON KUNAK JJ Jerman JJ JERMAN Joe DeFatta MARION WATSON Landon Kunak NICK SEXTON ADAM MULLINS Dustin Nickle DOMENIQUE WILLIAMS Quan Harrison DOMENIQUE WILLIAMS Quan Harrison

6-2 5-10 5-10 5-8 6-2 6-2 6-3 6-0 6-2 5-10 5-10 5-10 5-10

182 173 173 170 160 182 192 235 240 160 183 160 183

RS-SO. Jr. JR. RS-Jr. JR. RS-So. JR. JR. RS-So. JR. RS-So. JR. RS-So.

ETSU BUCS

45 49 97 90

91 55 99 11 10 29 8 32 40 54 25 38 31 14 2 43 13 1

SPECIAL TEAMS KO 96

85 FG 85

83 P 46

96 H 19 LS 56

71 KR 1 -AND- 17 PR 1 -AND- 17

33

Samford’s “3D”—Demetrius Denzel-Dyson—Looking to Add a New Dimension in 2017-18 by: Zac Schrieber Samford Athletic Communications

S

enior guard Demetrius Denzel-Dyson, who led Samford in scoring last season with an average of 16.1 points per game, has affectionately earned the moniker “3D” from the Bulldog faithful. The problem is that his teammates haven’t quite caught on to the trend yet.

“I like being called ‘3D’ a lot,” said DenzelDyson. “But most of my teammates call me Meech and I don’t like that at all, so during the offseason, I told them that I wanted to be call Dice. I like that a lot better than Meech, but I definitely like being called ‘3D’ as well.”

After breaking onto the scene in his first season at Samford in 2016-17, Denzel-Dyson has earned the right to be called whatever he wants.

Last year, he shot a sizzling 46-percent from 3-point range and 49.5-percent from the field en route to scoring a team-high 580 points. To put things in perspective, his scoring total ranked seventh in the history of Samford basketball and proved to be the highest single-season output since 1984-85, when the Bulldogs’ all-time leader scorer Craig Beard tallied a school-record tally of 703 points.

Denzel-Dyson, who grew up in a small city in Tennessee, not too far from Memphis, registered the fourth-best 3-point shooting percentage in the nation last season. The only reason he wasn’t officially ranked by the NCAA was that he didn’t compile enough attempts per game; a testament to the Bulldogs’ talent-laden roster and numerous offensive weapons.

“I grew up in Covington, Tenn., which is a little bit outside of Memphis,” Denzel-Dyson said. “Growing up, I played all of my AAU and competitive ball in Memphis, and thanks to my parents, I had a very good childhood.

They were both great parents and I am very thankful for them. I’m from a very country area where we ride horses, drag race, go fishing and ride ATVs.” Late in his prep career, Denzel-Dyson was tabbed as one of the top talents in Tennessee and was recruited by a number of different programs. He was courted by the likes of Murray State, Wichita State, UConn

34

and Tennessee, but early on in the recruiting process, he knew he wanted to go to UMass.

“I knew their coach (Derrick Kellogg) for a long time,” explained Denzel-Dyson. “My cousin played for him at Memphis, so when he got the head job at UMass, I automatically knew that was where I wanted to go. I didn’t really even look into the other schools too much, to be honest with you. I had a relationship with the coaching staff at UMass already, so that was always a clear-cut favorite for me.”

In two seasons with the Minutemen, Denzel-Dyson earned playing time in 49 games and UMass made the NCAA Tournament in 2014, but the system and the program never really seemed to click with the athletic 6-foot-5 wingman.

“It just didn’t work out for me there,”

Denzel-Dyson said. “It wasn’t a good fit. There were no hard feelings when I transferred. I still talk to the players and the coaches all the time. It was just a personal decision.”

Following the 2014-15 campaign, the Tennessee native was looking for a new home, and preferably one not too far from his family in Covington.

“UMass was just so far to be away from my family,” Denzel-Dyson said. “I had never been that far away before in my life. My parents would come quite a bit to watch me play, but it wasn’t my entire family like I’m used to. It would pretty much be my dad, my mom and my sister that would mainly come visit me up there. It was like a 23-hour drive up to Massachusetts, so it was really hard for us to all to see each other.”

The news of his transfer drew a lot of

attention, especially from one of Samford’s top rivals located in Chattanooga, Tenn., but ultimately, Denzel-Dyson was drawn to what the Bulldogs were building here in Birmingham.

“Samford is a special community and when I came on my visit that’s what really stood out to me,” Denzel-Dyson said. “The education here is wonderful and Assistant Coach Jake Headrick and Head Coach Scott Padgett did a great job of recruiting me and really making me feel comfortable. I was also recruited by a lot of other schools, but I knew that Samford was best for me and was by far the best decision.”

After two self-proclaimed “not-so-great years” at UMass, Demetrius Dyson, as he was known throughout his childhood and his time with the Minutemen, was ready to turn over a new leaf and start fresh.

“I’ve always wanted my name to be hyphenated,” said Denzel-Dyson. “Initially, I wanted to change my name to my dad’s name, which is Maurice Dyson, and I wanted my full name to be Maurice Demetrius Denzel-Dyson, but then I told him about it

and he said I shouldn’t change my name, so that’s why I’m just Demetrius Denzel-Dyson.

I wanted to go by Denzel-Dyson as my last name since I arrived here at Samford. I like it and I think it’s pretty catchy.”

A name is not just a name to DenzelDyson. Family plays a huge role in his life and is an integral part of who he is. Through his hyphenated last name, he can pay homage to both of his parents and it’s a role that he and his younger sister, Desiree’ Dyson, who is the reigning Miss Tennessee, value immensely.

“My family is very important to me,” DenzelDyson said. “Whenever I go home, it’s hard for me to leave my family and come back to school just because we are so close as a group.

I’m very family-oriented. My family comes to support me at every game that they can and whenever my sister has a pageant, the family does the same thing. We’re very tight-knit and I’m extremely happy for all of the support that I have on both sides of my family.”

Not resting on his laurels as a great shooter and prolific scorer in Samford’s wideopen offensive attack, “3D” has used this offseason to add at least one more dimension

to his game.

“I spent a lot of time working on my ball-handling and my leadership skills,” said Denzel-Dyson. “This year, I really want to help lead the team to get to where we all want to be. Working on my defense was also big during the offseason, because I want to learn the principles from every position, that way I can help the team as much as possible. I’ve also been working on just keeping my motor going and making sure that I put in a full effort in every aspect of the game. I’m trying to help lead us to the championship.”

The 2017-18 Bulldogs boast five returning starters, as well as the team’s top six scorers from last year’s 20-win group, plus the addition of uber-talented guard Justin Coleman, who is now eligible after transferring from Alabama.

So, for Demetrius Denzel-Dyson and the rest of Samford Nation, the Bulldogs’ SoCon championship aspirations and NCAA Tournament hopes just might be even closer than they appear, just don’t forget your “3D” glasses.

35

TODAY’S OPPONENT East Tennessee State University

Coaching Staff

Head Coach: Carl Torbush Head Coaching Record at ETSU: 10-20 (Third Season) Overall Record: 30-46 (Seven Seasons) Bowl Record: 2-0

Assistant Coaches

Mike O’Cain, Offensive Coordinator/QBs Billy Taylor, Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Dewayne Alexander, Offensive Line Daryl Daye, Defensive Line Gary Downs, Running Backs Antonio Goss, Cornerbacks/Special Teams Coordinator Mike Rader, Recruiting Coordinator/Wide Receivers Kevin Shipley, Tight Ends/Fullbacks Dylan Lewellyn, Outside Linebackers Devin Whitehead, Graduate Assistant -Offense John Ellis Davis, Graduate Assistant -Defense

University

Location: Johnson City, Tenn.

Founded: 1911 Enrollment: 14,957 Nickname: Buccaneers (Bucs) Colors: Navy Blue and Old Gold Stadium: William B. Greene, Jr. Stadium (7,694) Affiliation: NCAA Div. I Championship Subdivision (FCS) Conference: Southern President: Dr. Brian Noland Athletic Director: Scott Carter Athletic Department Phone: 423-439-4343 36

Football History

First Year of Football: 1920 Seasons of Football: 83 All-Time Record: 343-417-27 NCAA Postseason Appearances (Div. I): 2 Postseason Record (Div. I): 2-1 Best Finish: 1st (1969 OVC) Last Appearance: 1996 (Quarterfinals)

2016 Record: 5-6

SoCon: 2-6 Home: 4-2 Away: 1-4 Offensive Starters Returning/Lost: 10/1 Defensive Starters Returning/Lost: 9/2 Specialsts Returning/Lost: 5/0 Returning Players; 59 Basic Offense: Spread Basic Defense: 3-4

Support Staff

Matt Forrest, Director of Football Operations Allan Johnson, Strength and Conditioning Coach Nathan Barger, Assistant Director for Sports Medicine

Q&A With Senior Offensive Lineman Connor Rafferty

by Joey Mullins, Samford Athletics Communication

What attracted you to Samford?

“When I first came on campus, it was just a beautiful campus. I loved the architecture. Then I prayed about it a lot and I really felt like God wanted me to come here, so that’s why I decided to come here.”

What is the best thing and the hardest thing about playing on the offensive line?

“I would say one of the hardest things about playing offensive line is, other than from your teammates, you don’t get much credit for how well you do. But, it’s really rewarding when you open up a hole for a running back and they break through and get a long run. Or when you give the quarterback eight seconds to throw and he throws a deep touchdown pass. That’s really rewarding to me.”

If you could play any other position, what would it be and why?

“I would want to play running back. Because I think it would be fun to run someone over, or to just go straight down field and make a move on someone.”

What has been your favorite part of being on the Samford football team?

“My favorite part has definitely been my teammates, the guys. Being here, making really good friends with Armando Bonheur last year, and Albert Mitchell and a few other guys I’ve had good relationships with. Nate (Lee) and Reid (Hulgan) are both really great guys, we hang out all the time. Everyone is just great. The guys on the team are definitely the best.”

What is your favorite memory of your time at Samford?

“My favorite memory would probably be beating Chattanooga my freshman year, when their kicker kicked the field goal and it hit the goal post. Either that, or my start at Mississippi State.

That game was really fun. We scored a lot of points against Mississippi State that year.”

What is your favorite movie?

“Probably Inception. I’ve seen Inception over 15 times. It takes that many times to understand it.”

What is your favorite song?

“Anything by Blink 182.”

How would you like to be remembered by your teammates and coaches?

“By the relationships I was able to make here and by the positive energy I tried to bring every day.”

What are your plans for after graduation?

“After graduation, I’m going to go back home. I’m seeking an internship with the Tampa Bay Rays. I will go home and I’ll try to find a baseball league or a softball league and I’ll play baseball or softball in an old-man league.”

37

38

Cortland Finnegan

SAMFORD ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME

C

ortland Finnegan was a three-time All-American during his four years in a Samford uniform. He was named the Ohio Valley Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year as a sophomore in 2003, and he led the team in tackles from his safety position in each of his final three seasons. Finnegan was drafted in the

seventh round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans. During his 10-year NFL career, he played for the Titans, St. Louis Rams, Miami Dolphins and Carolina Panthers. He was named All-Pro and was selected for the Pro Bowl with the Titans in 2009. In his final NFL season in 2015, Finnegan helped the Panthers to an

appearance in the Super Bowl. He finished his NFL career with 663 tackles, 7.0 sacks and 21 interceptions, returned for 426 yards and four touchdowns.

39

samford.edu

3

#

in the South among regional universities —U.S. News & World Report

1

#

in Alabama

87

#

in the nation —The Economist

Students from 45 states and 30 countries One of the nation’s best Christian colleges —College Choice

50,605 alumni worldwide

Best Value top college for employment of graduates

—Educate to Career

1

#

in Alabama —Forbes Inc.

927,192 hours of community service by students annually

97

of undergraduate alumni are employed, attending %graduate school or in a postgraduation internship within six months of graduation

5

#

in the South for most innovative

—U.S. News & World Report

Samford University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Employer.

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S

SEIBERT STADIUM

eibert Stadium has been home to the Samford football team since 1958, one year after the campus was moved from East Lake to its present site. Over the years, the stadium has seen some memorable football, including the Bobby Bowden era (1959– 62), a one-loss season in 1971 and the Terry Bowden era, which ended with a 14-game Bulldog winning streak in the stadium.

The stadium is named for the late F. Page Seibert, a Daytona Beach, Florida, businessman who donated money for the completion of the stadium in 1961 with the addition of stands on the west side. Originally, the ­stadium had the current gatehouse and ­seating on the east side.

The first game was played Friday, Sept. 26, 1958, with Samford losing to Sewanee, 21-0.

Bobby Bowden brought Samford (then known as Howard College) its first win at Seibert on Oct. 3, 1959, as the Bulldogs defeated the Tennessee Tech “B” team, 34-0. The first win

42

against varsity competition came two weeks later when the Bulldogs defeated Millsaps, 26-0.

Seibert Stadium has undergone numerous improvements during the past few years.

Before the 2009 season, the Cooney Family Field House was opened in the South end zone of the stadium. The field house was renamed the Sullivan-Cooney Family Field House during the 2014 season.

The facility includes locker rooms, training rooms, meeting rooms and coaches offices for Samford’s football program. A second-level terrace overlooks Seibert Stadium. A third level provides for future university expansion.

In fall 2005, the original grass surface was replaced with an LSR Blade Synthetic Surface.

The turf was replaced with a similar surface prior to the 2014 season.

The four-level Bashinsky Press Tower was completed before the 1989 season.

This Georgian-Colonial structure contains

complete facilities for print and electronic media on the third level, reserved seating for 51 guests on the second level, and a concession stand and restroom facilities on the ground floor. A partially covered film deck is located atop the facility, and an elevator serves all levels.

At the same time, more than 200 theatretype reserved seats were added in front of the press tower, bringing the seating capacity to 6,700. Aluminum seating replaced the original wooden seats. A scoreboard featuring an electronic matrix message board was added before the 1994 season. The improvements have made Samford’s football facility one of the finest in the nation at the Division I-FCS level.

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SEIBERT STADIUM BUILT: Gatehouse and East Stands, 1958; West Side Stands, 1961; Bashinsky Press Tower, 1989; Electronic Message Board, 1994; Video Board, 2005; Sullivan-Cooney Family Field House, 2009.

MOST OPPONENT’S POINTS: 82, by Salem (Samford 9), 1984

LONGEST INTERCEPTION RETURN: 100-yard touchdown, Ricky Fields, vs. Concord, 1990

LARGEST MARGIN OF DEFEAT: 73 points (Salem 82, Samford 9), 1984

MOST YARDS RUSHING: 249, Surkano Edwards, vs. West Georgia, 1992

FIRST GAME: Friday, Sept. 26, 1958 (Sewanee defeated Samford, 21-0)

LONGEST RUN FROM SCRIMMAGE: 81-yard run, Chris Evans, vs. Austin Peay, 2007

MOST CARRIES: 35, Derek Staley, vs. Tennessee Tech, 1995

FIRST WIN: Oct. 3, 1959 (Samford defeated Tennessee Tech “B” team, 34-0)

LONGEST PASS COMPLETION: 92-yard touchdown, Andy Summerlin to Chris Cephus vs.

Chattanooga, 2013

FIRST VARSITY WIN: Oct. 16, 1959 (Samford defeated Millsaps, 26-0)

LONGEST SAMFORD PASS COMPLETION: 92-yard touchdown, Andy Summerlin to Chris Cephus vs.

Chattanooga, 2013

MOST TOUCHDOWNS RUSHING: 4, Michael Eubank, vs. VMI, 2014; 4, Steve Hayden, vs.

Morgan State, 1995; 4, Brady Jones, vs. Austin Peay, 1990; 4, Brady Jones, vs. East Tennessee State, 1989

SAMFORD OVERALL RECORD AT SEIBERT (237 GAMES): 157-76-4 (.671) SAMFORD DAY RECORD AT SEIBERT (167 GAMES): 104-59-4 (.635) SAMFORD NIGHT RECORD AT SEIBERT (70 GAMES): 53-17-0 (.757) MOST COMMON OPPONENTS AT SEIBERT: Chattanooga 14, Jacksonville State 11, UT Martin 10, Mississippi College 9, Tennessee Tech 9 MOST SAMFORD POINTS: 72 vs. Maryville (10), 1987 LARGEST MARGIN OF VICTORY: 70 points (Samford 77, Mars Hill 7), 2016

44

FACTS

LONGEST PUNT: 73 yards, Ray Collins, vs. Southwestern, 1961 LONGEST FIELD GOAL: 52 yards, Ray Early of Furman, 2010 LONGEST SAMFORD FIELD GOAL: 4 8 yards, Mark Prevost, vs. Jacksonville State, 2007 LONGEST PUNT RETURN: 90-yard touchdown, Mick Edmonson of Jacksonville State, 1989 LONGEST SAMFORD PUNT RETURN: 76 yards, Anthony Jordan, vs. Alcorn State, 1994 LONGEST KICKOFF RETURN: 100-yard touchdown, Karel Hamilton vs. Chattanooga, 2015; 100-yard touchdown, Fabian Truss vs. Western Carolina, 2013

MOST PASS ATTEMPTS: 60, Ray Nelson, vs. Jacksonville State, 2003 MOST COMPLETIONS: 39, Devlin Hodges, vs. Mercer, 2016; 39, Devlin Hodges, vs.

Mars Hill, 2016 MOST YARDS PASSING: 495, Andy Summerlin, vs. Georgia Southern, 2013 MOST TOUCHDOWN PASSES: 6, Jimbo Fisher, vs. Ferrum, 1987; 6, Jimbo Fisher, vs.

Maryville, 1987 MOST RECEPTIONS: 16, Efrem Hill, vs. Jacksonville State, 2003 MOST TOUCHDOWN RECEPTIONS: 3, Efrem Hill, vs. Eastern Kentucky, 2004; 3, Efrem Hill, vs.

West Alabama, 2004; 3, Efrem Hill, vs. West Alabama, 2003

Roland Adams, Football; Grace Tiesman, Volleyball; Howard Finch, Dean; Alec Happel, Football; Josh Rich, Baseball

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98

91

Academic All-Conference members for the fall and spring terms combined

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athletes on the 2016–17 Southern Conference Honor Roll

Graduation Success Rate

3.04 average student athlete cumulative GPA

100

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athletes on the fall 2017 Dean’s List

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On May 23, 2003, Samford junior cornerback Charles Williams died in a car accident. In only two seasons on the team, Williams emerged as a starter in the secondary in 2002.

In addition to his success on the field, Williams also maintained one of the highest grade point averages on the team. For the 2003 and 2004 seasons (what would have been Williams’ junior and senior seasons) no one wore jersey No. 5, the number that Williams wore. Every year since then, a senior has been selected to wear the No. 5, the Charles Williams Memorial Jersey.

CHARLES WILLIAMS

Ossie Buchannon 2005

T.C. Myers 2006

Jay McCurty 2007

Rodney Shepherd 2008

Jon Weber 2009

Bryce Smith 2010

Sean Thompson 2011

Ryan Dudchock 2012

Justin Shade 2013

Brinson Porter 2014

Carson Barnett 2015

Devon Schmitt 2016

MEMORIAL

JERSEY 50

Shaheed Salmon 2017

BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF ALABAMA IS A PROUD SPONSOR OF THE SAMFORD BULLDOGS. AlabamaBlue.com 51

ACADEMIC ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM The National Collegiate Athletic Association [NCAA] has strongly enforced academic reform this decade as it pertains to studentathletes’ continuing eligibility and ultimate college graduation. Because of the tightening of new legislation, academic support services throughout the country have been highlighted to spearhead the additional success that is needed for student-athletes to earn a degree.

The academic success for Samford University student-athletes begins with the Academic Enhancement Program [AEP]. The AEP was developed in the early 1990s and is based on individual instruction with studentathletes who are integrated within a caring environment that is conducive to academic success.

The AEP system is designed to provide Samford’s student-athletes with the necessary guidance, personal attention and academic skills–enhancement activities to help them have the most positive educational and personal experience possible. Student-athletes are integrated within a foundation of the university’s general education core curriculum that emphasizes basic skills for academic achievement.

Tutors and academic mentors assist athletes in writing courses, foreign languages, math, science and business, to name a few. With tutorial sessions incorporating improved study techniques,

the AEP puts student-athletes in position to succeed and become independent learners.

The AEP environment includes a computer lab/classroom, private tutor rooms and quiet study space.

In conjunction with the Career Development Center, the Writing Center, the Academic Success Center and all student support services, the AEP is a bridge from freshman orientation to graduation and professional life.

The AEP strives to meet the needs, concerns and overall welfare of all student-athletes. Each May, the academic enhancement office honors student-athletes who have achieved a 3.0 GPA or better over the last two full terms.

LIFE SKILLS PROGRAM The Department of Athletics offers a variety of support programs for student-athletes, including some NCAA Student Affairs programming. This student development program exists to enhance the quality of the student-athlete experience within the university setting. There are five focus areas that address student-athlete development.

Commitment to Academic Excellence: To support the academic progress of studentathletes toward intellectual development and graduation Commitment to Athletic Excellence: To

A group of former football players pose for a photo after graduation ceremonies last spring.

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build philosophical foundations for the development of athletics programs that are broad-based, equitable and dedicated to the well-being of student-athletes Commitment to Personal Development: To support the development of a well-balanced lifestyle for student-athletes, encouraging emotional well-being, personal growth and decision-making skills Commitment to Career Development: To encourage student-athletes to develop and pursue career and life goals Commitment to Service: To engage studentathletes in service to their campus and surrounding community Throughout the year, student-athletes attend the programs in the five commitment areas that are most relevant and helpful to them at their current stage of development.

This is done through summer workshops and seminars, the Samford Strong Leadership Academy, campus partnerships, and other programming throughout the year.

Topics include financial management, time management, media relations, spiritual development, choosing a major and a career, résumé writing, and sportsmanship.

Speakers include faculty members, coaches, administrators, business leaders and former student-athletes.

All AEP programming is designed to enhance and support the academic and athletic endeavors of student-athletes.

Student-athletes gain preparation for success in life, develop enhanced interpersonal skills, build positive selfesteem, develop leadership skills and make meaningful contributions to their communities.

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Andrew Westmoreland President

A

ndrew Westmoreland became Samford University’s 18th president on June 1, 2006. As Samford’s president, Westmoreland has led the university to embrace a vision to enrich and expand its service to students, and further inspire their desire to meet the needs of the world. To advance this vision, the university is committed to a challenging strategic plan with three priorities: to provide an enriched and more vibrant university experience; to engage the global community in learning, faith and service; and to inspire imagination. Following a highly successful $200 million campaign that ended in 2014, Samford has launched a multiyear, multimillion-dollar campaign to advance the mission of Christcentered higher education among the nation’s most respected universities.

Prior to assuming the Samford presidency, Westmoreland was president of Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. Before his selection as Ouachita’s president in 1998, he had served on the administrative staff for more than 19 years in various capacities.

Westmoreland holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in political science, and a doctorate in higher education administration. A native of Arkansas, he is married to Dr. Jeanna ­Westmoreland. They have one daughter, Riley, who is a graduate of Samford and of Vanderbilt University.

His career in higher education spans almost 40 years, including two college presidencies. In addition to his duties as Samford president, Westmoreland teaches courses in political science on a regular basis. He serves as a member of many boards for charities and other entities, and he is an author and speaker. He is the past chair of the Board of Trustees for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, which oversees accreditation for more than 800 colleges and universities from Virginia to Texas. He also served as president of the American Association of Presidents of Independent Colleges and Universities.

The Westmorelands enjoy entertaining and annually host more than 9,000 students, employees, alumni, donors and other friends of the university in the president’s home, in addition to the thousands whom they greet and host at on-campus events.

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55

DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS

MARTIN NEWTON

Martin Newton was introduced as Samford’s new athletics director at a press conference on March 9, 2011.

M

artin Newton was introduced as Samford’s director of athletics on March 9, 2011.

In the spring of 2017, one of Newton’s goals since being hired was realized with the induction of the inaugural class of the Samford Athletics Hall of Fame. The firstclass facility is housed on the third floor of Pete Hanna Center, and includes inductee plaques and displays, along with a display of important moments in Samford athletics, and another honoring all the school’s conference and NCAA champions.

On the fields and courts, Samford’s teams have won 27 Southern Conference overall and divisional titles since Newton took over as director of athletics. The Bulldogs have won league or division titles in women’s ­tennis (2015 regular season and tour­ nament), soccer (2011 regular season and tournament, 2014 regular season, 2015 regular season, 2016 regular season and tournament), softball (2016 tournament and regular season), volleyball (2011, 2014 and 2016 tournament, 2011 and 2012 North Division), men’s outdoor track and field (2014, 2015), women’s outdoor track and field (2014, 2017), women’s indoor track and field (2016, 2017), men’s tennis (2011, 2013 tournament, 2012 regular season), baseball (2012 tournament), football (2013), and women’s basketball (2012 tournament).

In 2014–15, Samford won the Southern Conference’s Germann Cup, which goes to the top overall women’s program in the 56

league. Samford finished just a tenth of a point away from winning the Commissioner’s Cup for the top men’s program in the conference.

Academically, the school’s studentathletes have posted outstanding results, with 940 Samford student-athletes being named to the SoCon Honor Roll over the last six years. Samford’s student-athletes posted a 98 percent in the NCAA’s Graduation Success Rate (GSR) report released in 2017.

Corporate sponsorships and annual ­giving reached record revenue totals in 2016–17, up 30 percent, and an additional $300,000 was raised for capital projects and endowed scholarships.

Newton started the Samford Strong Leadership Academy in 2014, a program jointly developed between the athletics department and Samford’s Frances Marlin Mann Center for Ethics and Leadership.

Its mission is to bring in successful athletes to share their personal stories — and the importance of faith and character to success in all areas of life — to Samford student-athletes.

A softball stadium and baseball/softball indoor hitting facility was completed in the spring of 2013. The athletics department also redesigned its website, and Samford’s radio network was reorganized.

Newton negotiated a school-wide footwear and apparel deal with Nike, which went into effect in the summer of 2013. Also, the athletics department led the way in consolidating a university-wide licensing agreement with Learfield Communications Inc. Newton has been recognized nationally for his work. He was named to the NCAA Leadership Cabinet for the 2013–14 and 2014–15 seasons.

A 1983 Samford graduate, Newton returned to his alma mater after spending two years as director of basketball operations at the University of Kentucky.

Charles Martin Newton Jr. was selected following a national search led by Harry B. Brock III, Samford’s vice president for business and financial affairs.

“Martin had an important combination of factors that convinced us that he was an ideal choice to lead our athletics program,” Brock said. “His experience in higher education, his broad network built from his years in collegiate sports and the fact that he is a Samford graduate will help him continue moving our program forward.”

Brock cochaired a 12-member search

advisory committee with Emily Hynds, associate professor of mathematics.

“Our committee was particularly impressed with Martin’s understanding of the important balance between academics and athletics,” Hynds added. “Because he is a Samford graduate, he understands the importance of leading athletics to support the university’s mission.”

Newton graduated with a business degree. He was a four-year letterwinner in men’s basketball and was All-Conference honorable mention in 1980.

“I’d like to thank Dr. Westmoreland, the board of trustees and Buck Brock for this incredible opportunity to return to my alma mater as its athletics director,” Newton said.

“Samford has always had a special place in my heart, and helped shape me both personally and professionally. I share Dr. Westmoreland’s vision for this university and our athletics department, and I look forward to serving our student-athletes, coaches, faculty and staff as we continue to move Samford athletics to the next level.”

Following graduation, he worked in sports marketing for Converse for 13 years. Newton then spent 13 years in a similar capacity at Nike.

Newton was hired at Kentucky in 2009, where he managed an $11 million budget, along with fund-raising, compliance, scheduling, marketing and academic support for the men’s basketball program.

Newton is a member of the board for the Birmingham Bowl, and he is a member of the Birmingham Quarterback Club, Birmingham Tip-Off Club and Birmingham Kiwanis Club.

He is also an active member of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA).

Newton and his wife, Cindy, have three grown children, Katie, Madison and Charles.

They also have two grandsons, Charlie and Sawyer.

KNOW what to do in case of

SUSPECTED CONCUSSION

A concussion is an injury caused by a blow to the head in which the brain moves rapidly and may collide with the inside of the skull.

Even a minor fall or collision may be of concern, so be alert to symptoms such as headaches, unsteadiness, confusion or other types of abnormal behavior.

Any athlete with a suspected concussion:

n Should be IMMEDIATELY REMOVED FROM PLAY/ACTIVITY n Should be urgently assessed medically n Should not be left alone n Should not drive a motor vehicle

www.ChildrensAL.org/concussion In case of medical emergency, call 911 or go directly to your local ER 57

ATHLETICS ADMINISTRATION

58

Martin Newton Director of Athletics

Michelle Durban Deputy Director for Student-Athlete Well-Being/SWA

Bo Kerr Deputy Director of Athletics for Revenue Generation

Wanda Lucas Senior Associate Athletics Director for Business Operations

Joe Davidson Associate Athletics Director for Operations

Harold Goss Associate Athletics Director for Academics and Compliance

Hal Langston Associate Athletics Director for Development and Strategy

JeNorri Armstead Administrative Assistant to the Athletics Director

Kasey Bodine Assistant Director of the Bulldog Club

James Carlson Director of Equipment Services

Sara Clemmons Athletics Administrative Coordinator

Tracy Fuller Business Manager

Mike Grace Assistant Athletics Director for Broadcast Services, Marketing and Promotions

Aaron Greenwood Marketing Coordinator

Chris Hicks Assistant Director of Ticket and Bulldog Club Operations

Cody Jackson Director of Compliance

Jacob Kinnebrew Facilities and Operations Coordinator

Jonathan McAfoos Director of Video Services

Paige Mathis Director of Student-Athlete Academic Services

Julian McMillian Director of Operations and Facilities

B. J. Millican Video Services Coordinator

Joey Mullins Assistant Athletics Director for Communication

Karin Neal Academic Counselor and Tutor Coordinator

Dixie Owens Cheer Coordinator

Sandra Pickard Financial Coordinator

Maggie Rountree Director of the Bulldog Club

Zac Schrieber Director of Athletics Communication

Neil Teitelbaum Director of Ticket and Bulldog Club Operations

Pam Thornton Athletics Administrative Coordinator

Wes Wilhoite Assistant Equipment Manager

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HEAD COACHES

SOFTBALL

VOLLEYBALL

MEN’S GOLF

BASEBALL

MEN’S TENNIS

Mandy Burford

Keylor Chan

Al Delgreco

Casey Dunn

Rahim Esmail

FOOTBALL

W. BASKETBALL

M. BASKETBALL

TRACK/CC

W. TENNIS

Chris Hatcher

Mike Morris

Scott Padgett

Rod Tiffin

David Vest

SOCCER Todd Yelton

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SOFTBALL

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FOOTBALL

FOOTBALL

TRACK & FIELD

Abby Adams Assistant Coach

James Andrews Orthopedic Surgeon

Ben Ashford Director of Strength and Conditioning

Sidney ball Assistant Coach

Shawn Bostick Assistant Coach

Victor Cabral Assistant Coach

Russ Callaway Assistant Coach

David Clyburn Assistant Coach

M. BASKETBALL

TRAINING

ATHLETICS

BASEBALL

FOOTBALL

SOFTBALL

PHYSICIAN

TRAINING

Trae Cunningham Director of Player Development

Katie Daspit Athletic Trainer

Joe Collins Turf Manager

Tony David Associate Head Coach

Bill D’Ottavio Assistant Head Coach

Megan Dowdy Assistant Coach

Benton Emblom Team Physician

Brandon Evans Head Athletic Trainer

TRAINING

STRENGTH

FOOTBALL

M. BASKETBALL

M. BASKETBALL

W. BASKETBALL

W. BASKETBALL

W. BASKETBALL

Chappell Evans Athletic Trainer

Jonathan Farris Director of Strength and Conditioning

Derrick Foster Assistant Coach

Brandon Gilbert Director of Operations

Jake Headrick Assistant Coach

Sally Higgins Assistant Coach

Jessica Jackson Assistant Coach

Ruth Ketcham Assistant Coach

FOOTBALL

STRENGTH

FOOTBALL

FOOTBALL

TRACK & FIELD

M. BASKETBALL

FOOTBALL

TRAINING

Pat McGregor Cross Country Coach/ Assistant Coach

Charles Newton Assistant Coach

Ross Newton Assistant Coach

Taylor Payne Assistant Football Athletic Trainer

Mike Krysl Assistant Coach

Tyler Landolt Assistant Coach

M. BASKETBALL

FOOTBALL

Jamael Lett Assistant Coach

Hunter MacKay Director of Player Personnel

STRENGTH

FOOTBALL

TRACK & FIELD

BASEBALL

TRACK & FIELD

TRAINING

Rocky Sabbatini Video Coordinator

Ben Sabin Assistant Coach

Tyler Shrout Assistant Coach

Betsy Smith Assistant Coach

Karl Smith Athletic Trainer

Matthew Powell Video Coordinator

Matt Price Head Football Athletic Trainer

Thomas Rohling Strength and Conditioning Coach

M. GOLF

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Ricky Turner General Manager

Alyssa Whitehead Assistant Coach

Jay Yelton Assistant Coach

Tommy Truss Assistant Coach

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Compliance with NCAA rules is of utmost importance to Samford University. As a member of the NCAA, Samford is responsible for the actions of its coaches, student-athletes, employees, alumni, donors, boosters and friends. As such, please take a moment to familiarize yourself with these important items concerning NCAA rules and always remember to ASK BEFORE YOU ACT: 205-726-4244 | compliance@samford.edu | Twitter: @Samford_Rules

FIVE IMPORTANT RULES

FAQ

1. Only coaches and athletics department staff members are permitted to be involved in the recruiting process. Alumni, friends and “other representatives of athletic interest” who are not employed by the university are not permitted to contact a prospect (or members of the prospect’s family) by letter, telephone or in person (on or off campus) for the purpose of soliciting participation in the athletics program. Samford faculty members are permitted to have contact with prospects on campus only.

Who is a “prospective student-athlete?”

A “prospective student-athlete,” also known as a recruit or prospect, is a student who has started classes for the ninth grade, seventh for men’s basketball. In addition, any younger student who receives any benefits from the institution not available to prospective students generally would be considered a prospective student-athlete.

2. A prospect remains a prospect even after he or she signs a Letter of Intent or financial aid agreement to attend the university. The prospect does not lose prospect status until the start of classes at Samford or the beginning of official team practice prior to the start of classes.

3. The prohibition of contact with a prospect is intended to relate to unavoidable incidental contacts with a prospect by representatives of a member institution’s athletics interest. It is understood that such a contact is not prearranged by the athletics representative or an athletics department staff member; is not made for the purpose of recruitment of the prospect; and involves only normal civility.

For example, if you meet a high school student or junior college student-athlete, you can talk with him or her about anything except Samford athletics. If you are attending a public function and find yourself talking to the parents of a prospect, you can talk about anything that doesn’t relate to the athletics department.

4. If a student-athlete accepts any benefits or special consideration based on his or her status as an athlete or because of athletic skill, the student-athlete will lose all eligibility for intercollegiate athletic participation. Do not do anything for prospective or enrolled student-athletes without specific authorization from the Samford Athletics Compliance Office.

5. Representatives of athletics interest (boosters) are reminded that NCAA rules regarding enrolled student-athletes remain in effect throughout the entire year, including summer breaks. When student-athletes complete their final season of eligibility, they must abide by NCAA rules until the end of that academic year and/ or until they are no longer receiving athletics financial aid.

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Who is a “representative of athletic interest” or booster?

A representative or booster is an individual or business that is or has ever done any of the following: • been a contributor to the Samford Bulldog Club or has purchased tickets to a Samford athletics event • been an employee of Samford University or is the spouse of an employee • has ever made a donation of any kind to the Samford athletics department • helped to arrange or to provide employment for enrolled student-athletes or for prospects who have signed a National Letter of Intent • assisted or have been requested (by the athletics department) to assist in the recruitment of students to participate in any of Samford’s athletics programs • assisted in providing any benefit to Samford enrolled student-athletes or their families • been involved in promoting Samford athletics programs

ONCE YOU BECOME A BOOSTER, YOU NEVER LOSE THE IDENTITY OF A BOOSTER.

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Support our 350 Student-Athletes Become a member of the

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HERITAGE CIRCLE

Anthony & Robbin Allen* Mark & Gwen Matthews Bill & Kimeran Stevens PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE Todd & Karen Carlisle Larry & Debbie Cox* Rick & Beth Stukes ATHLETICS DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE Alabama Power Lynn & Kendall Boggs* Michael & Kathy Clay David & Stacy Hall Thomas & Charolette Hamby Bo & Whitney Kerr Rick & MaryAnn Moon Bob & Jodi Newton Michael & Carolyn Robinson Cole & Jill Sandlin III* Gene & Delee Sutherland ALL-AMERICAN BULLDOG Roy Anderson Jeremy & Melissa Andrews Bill & Julie Bazemore Drew & Julie Cundiff* Jason & Stacy Gay* Ryan & Katie Grace* Tim & Anita Haywood* Jimmy & Betsy Holloway Wayne & Judy Houston Fred & Judy Johnston* Todd & Michelle Jones Wayne & Donna Kendrick Bobby & Andrea Killingsworth Tyler Levie David & Edith Lyon Martin & Cindy Newton Randy & Daina Pittman Greg & Peggy Powell* Lew & Mandy Sample Chris & Susan Travis 66

Stanley Woodall Bart & Danielle Yancey ALL-CONFERENCE PLUS Eric & Cassandra Adams Walt & Kay Barnes BBVA Compass Bennie & Sonja Bumpers* John & Susan Carroll Coca-Cola Colin & Leslie Coyne* Richard & Kim Cross Davis Architects Inc. Kevin & Alicia Eads Lynn & Terry Easterling Howard & Kathy Finch Chad & Stacy Foreman Patrick & Laura Foshee Monty & Connie Hogewood* Michael & Heather Hogue Howard Whatley RE/MAX Southern Homes Jimmy & Donna Jackson Kendell & Chantel Jno-Finn Rebecca Langston Lyn Marcum William & Jennifer Maynard Eddie & Gayle Miller Ron & Cindy Mims OnTime Service Park Moving and Storage Stephen & Kathy Peeples Regions Bank Alan & Karen Register Doug & Renita Rigney Parker & Viveka Rosenberger Rick & Barbara Schultz Jeff & Ashley Stephens* Taylor & Allison Strickland Bob & Pat Terry Clark & Debbie Watson Drew & Pam Yantis* Rusty & Kimberly Yerkes

ALL-CONFERENCE Mona Ables Cedric & Carolyn Dale Adams Scott & Kimberly Andersen Jim & Cindy Anderson* Brad & Barbara Barnard Richard & Janne Bazemore Ben & Donna Benjamin Chris & Susan Blazer Jeanie A. Box Jay & Lauren Boyd Jon & Shay Brasher Brookdale University Park Jim & Patricia Burks C2 Designs LLC Bobby & Kathy Calhoun Michael & Leslie Canfield Doug & Connie Clark Michael & Jan Cobb Tommy & Deborah Collins Chris & Leslie Corts Blake & Devon Davidson* Judge Stephen & Krista Dillard William & Rebecca Dorsten Jason & Lori Edgemon Jerry & Sandi Favre John & Marsha Floyd Bob & Grace Freeman Brandon & Kim Gossett Leonard Gossett Jr. James & Brooke Graham James & Pearleen Graham Timothy & Sheree Hall Mike & Anna Kathryn Hardin Louis & Dora Hatcher Charles & Mavis Hill Rodney & Paula Hovater Gene & Susanne Howard III Hardy & Suzanne Jackson Tommy & Mary Anne Locke Chad & April Luth Patricia McCoy Joe W. McDade Michael & Michelle Musto

Vic & Janis Nichol Jr. Bobby & Kelly Patrick Kelly & Susan Pool Philip & Shellyn Poole Emily & Scott Rand Right at Home Rodney & Patti Robinson Donald & Caroline Rochford Gilmer & Leigh Simmons Don & Zina Smith Christian Specht Bill & Sallie Stark Jr. Taco Mama Bruce & Questa Tingler John & Vicki Wilcox Doug & Anita Wilson VARSITY BULLDOG Michael & Amy Cooter Robert & Betty Oliver Robert Z. Powell JUNIOR VARSITY Dustin & Christy Allen Wendell & Rita Bennett Tyler Clardy Jerry & Catherine Cotney Durante Home Exteriors Bob & Gail Greene Tommy & Joyce Hill Charles & Brenda McKewen Joe Murray Southern Carpet & Hardwood Inc. David & Ashley Spurling Howard P. Walthall & Rosemary Fisk * Athletics Council member

For information, call 205-726-4307.

67

SAMFORD UNIVERSITY

S

amford University is a premier nationally ranked private university deeply rooted in its Christian mission.

Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. It enrolls 5,471 students from 47 states and 29 countries.

In 2017, U.S. News & World Report ranked Samford #4 among regional universities in the South and #3 for commitment to teaching.

Kiplinger’s Personal Finance ranked Samford #40 in its 2017 ranking of the best value private universities. Samford is ranked #87 nationally and #1 in Alabama by The Economist and is the top-ranked university in Alabama in a national ranking conducted by The Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education.

Samford offers numerous undergraduate and graduate/professional degrees through 10 academic units: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. The faculty-to-student ratio is 1:12, and no classes are taught by teaching assistants.

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Among Samford’s 50,000 alumni are more than 60 members of the U.S. congress, eight state governors, two U.S. Supreme Court justices, one Secretary of State, four Rhodes Scholars, multiple Emmy and Grammy award-winning artists, two national champion­ ship football coaches, and recipients of the Pulitzer and Nobel Peace prizes.

The university fields 17 varsity sports— eight men’s and nine women’s—that participate at the NCAA Division I level in the Southern Conference. Samford’s athletics teams are ranked #1 in Alabama and the Southern Conference for Graduation Success Rate by the NCAA with an average score of 98%.

SAMFORD DISTINCTIONS • Samford is ranked #4 in the South for regional universities and #3 in the South for commitment to teaching by U.S. News & World Report (2017).

• Samford is ranked #87 nationally and #1 in Alabama by The Economist.

• Samford is ranked #30 among master’s level universities for the percentage of students studying abroad by the Institute for International Education (2016).

• Cumberland School of Law is ranked #6 nationally for trial advocacy by U.S. News & World Report (2017). Additionally, the law school is ranked #9 nationally for best quality of life and #9 nationally for best professors by The Princeton Review (2015). The law school placed first in the 2014 National Trial Advocacy Competition.

• Ida Moffett School of Nursing’s master’s programs are ranked #90 nationally by U.S. News & World Report (2016).

• The Brock School of Business evening M.B.A. program is the oldest in the state and is ranked #72 nationally by U.S. News & World Report (2017).

• The Orlean Bullard Beeson School of Education elementary education program received a national award for effective teacher preparation from the U.S. Department of Education (2000).

• 96% of May undergraduate alumni were employed or pursuing continuing education within six months of graduation (2016).

• Samford is ranked #40 nationally for “best value” among private universities

by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance (2016).

• Samford is ranked #15 nationally for the beauty of the campus by Christian Universities Online and is listed in the top 30 most beautiful college campuses in the South by the Best Colleges website (2015).

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FACILITIES

T

he Samford University athletics program has risen to regional and national recognition through its commitment to athletic and academic excellence. Samford student-athletes have achieved much on the playing fields and in the classroom.

Paralleling the competitive success of the program, Samford’s athletics facilities also continue to develop.

The newest addition to Samford’s athletics facilities is the Samford Softball Field, which opened in the spring of 2013. Also, the new J. T. Haywood Field House, which houses an indoor hitting facility, as well as locker rooms and meeting rooms for both baseball and softball, was officially opened in the fall of 2013.

The new Samford Soccer and Track Stadium opened in the spring of 2011. The 1,200-seat facility opened by hosting the 2011 Southern Conference Outdoor Track and Field ­Championships.

The facility includes locker rooms, a ticket office, a high-tech press box, a nine-lane track and a regulation soccer field.

The Cooney Family Field House for football opened in August 2009. It includes coaches’ offices, meeting rooms, a locker room, weight room, training room, equipment room and players’ lounge. The facility was renamed the Sullivan-Cooney Family Field House in the fall of 2014 to honor former Head Coach Pat Sullivan and his family.

The convocation/arena/fitness complex, Pete Hanna Center, was completed in fall 2007. The center provides outstanding playing facilities for volleyball, and men’s and women’s basketball in a 5,000-seat center, a fitness/wellness complex for the entire student body, and state-of-the-art training facilities for Samford’s varsity sports. Also included in the facility are offices, meeting space and support ­facilities for coaches and

70

athletics ­administration. The facility is adjacent to Bashinsky Field House and can be expanded up to 6,000 seats for commencement and other major ­nonathletics events.

The Pat M. Courington Tennis Pavilion was completed in 2006 with three indoor courts, a support facility for locker rooms, offices and restrooms. Samford’s Tennis Center also includes the Darwin C. Hardison Courts, ­featuring six outdoor NCAA courts.

All-weather field turf was installed at Seibert Stadium in the summer of 2005.

Facilities in Seibert Hall have been renovated to accommodate academic programs and student recreation activities.

Joe Lee Griffin Field, home of the Samford Bulldogs baseball team, was remodeled in 2000 to include offices, locker rooms and other support services in a facility that complements the Georgian-Colonial archi­ tecture found throughout the Samford campus. The Carl E. Miller Press Box was added in 2009.

The Samford softball field was named the Sports Turf Managers ­Association Softball Field of the Year for 2001. Future plans call for expanded seating and support facilities at the

300-seat stadium.

Bulldog Spirit Plaza, dedicated during 2005 Homecoming weekend, is the focal point of the area connecting Seibert Stadium, Joe Lee Griffin Field, Bashinsky Field House and Pete Hanna Center. Organized by the

Class of 2003, the landscaped plaza includes a bas relief of the Bulldog mascot and more than 100 bricks honoring Samford alumni, students, parents, employees, former athletes and friends of the university as a celebration of Samford’s more than 125 years of inter­ collegiate athletics competition.

The athletics department is building its capital campaign efforts to raise funds to further assure Samford athletes of the finest playing facilities possible.

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71

SOUTHERN CONFERENCE

THE SOUTHERN CONFERENCE

The Southern Conference, which is in its 97th season of intercollegiate competition in 2017–18, is a national leader in emphasizing the development of the student-athlete, and in helping to build lifelong leaders and role models.

The Southern Conference has been on the forefront of innovation and originality in developing creative solutions to address issues facing intercollegiate athletics. From establishing the first postseason college basketball tournament (1921), to tackling the issue of freshman eligibility (1922), to developing women’s championships (1984), to becoming the first conference to install the 3-point goal in basketball (1980), the Southern Conference has been a pioneer.

The Southern Conference is the nation’s fifth-oldest NCAA Division I collegiate athletic association. Only the Big Ten (1896), the Missouri Valley (1907), the Pac-12 (1915) and the Southwestern Athletic (1920) ­conferences are older in terms of origination.

Academic excellence has been a major part of the Southern Conference’s tradition.

Hundreds of Southern Conference studentathletes have been recognized on CoSIDA Academic All-America and all-district teams. A total of 20 Rhodes Scholarship winners have been selected from conference institutions, most recently in 2012–13, when former Wofford volley­ball player Rachel Woodlee earned the prestigious award.

The conference currently consists of 10 members in six states throughout the Southeast and sponsors 22 varsity sports 72

and championships that produce participants for NCAA Division I Championships.

The league added rifle, becoming just the second Division I conference to sponsor the sport, in 2016–17, and added women’s lacrosse for the 2017–18 campaign.

The Southern Conference offices are located in the historic Beaumont Mill in Spartanburg, South Carolina. A textile mill that was in operation from 1880 until 1999, Beaumont Mill was renovated in 2004 and today offers the league first-class meeting areas and offices as well as a spacious library for storage of the conference’s historical documents.

CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY

The first Southern Conference Championship held after the formation of the league was the basketball tournament in Atlanta in 1922. The North Carolina Tar Heels won the tournament to become the first recognized league champion in any sport. The Southern Conference tournament remains the oldest of its kind in college basketball.

Commissioner Germann spearheaded the Southern Conference’s expansion to include women’s athletics during the 1983–84 ­season. That year, league women’s champion­ships were held in ­volleyball, basketball and tennis. Cross country joined the mix in 1985, outdoor track and field was added in 1987, and indoor and track and field followed in 1988. Most recently, the conference instituted golf and softball championships in the spring of 1994, and added soccer in the fall of 1994. Women’s lacrosse will

crown its first champion in May 2018 The Germann Cup, named in honor of the former commissioner, annually recognizes the top women’s athletics programs in the conference. From its humble beginnings, women’s athletics have become an integral part of the Southern Conference and its success.

The Southern Conference declares champions in 11 men’s sports—football, ­soccer, cross country, basketball, indoor track and field, outdoor track and field, wrestling, baseball, lacrosse, tennis and golf—and 10 women’s sports—soccer, volleyball, cross country, basketball, indoor track and field, outdoor track and field, tennis, golf, lacrosse and softball. Rifle is a mixed sport.

FOOTBALL

The Southern Conference has also excelled as the premier Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) conference. Former Southern Conference member Appalachian State won three consecutive FCS titles from 2005 to 2007, becoming the first team to do so. The league boasts more than 250 players who have garnered All-America recognition, and numerous national player or coach of the year awards. The conference had at least one team in the top 10 of the final FCS poll for 28 consecutive years (1985–2012), with at least two teams finishing in the final poll in every season from 1982 to 2013. Chattanooga has finished in the top 10 in each of the last three seasons, while The Citadel has finished in the top 15 in the last two. The Citadel, Chattanooga, Samford and Wofford each finished in the top 25 in 2016, giving the league four in the final poll for the first time since 2007. The Citadel and Chattanooga ranked 9-10 in the coaches’ poll, and Wofford and The Citadel sat 9-10 in the STATS FCS poll to close the year.

The Southern Conference has placed multiple representatives in the FCS Playoffs in 28

of 33 seasons, with 16 championship game appearances and eight national titles. The Southern Conference has had at least one team reach the semifinals in 12 of the last 18 years and in 18 of the last 25 seasons.

In 2007, Appalachian State became the first FCS team to defeat a nationally ranked Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) team, when the Mountaineers defeated No. 5 Michigan, 34-32, on Sept. 1 before a sellout crowd at Michigan Stadium. Georgia Southern, in its final game as a member of the Southern Conference, downed the SEC’s Florida in Gainesville. The league picked up two wins over FBS teams in 2015, with Furman ­downing UCF and The Citadel stunning South Carolina.

Prior to the conference’s reclassification in 1981, Southern Conference football teams appeared in a total of 36 bowl games, posting a record of 16-18-2. From 1925 to 1930, league schools won five football national championships in a six-year span.

There are nearly 60 former Southern Conference players and coaches in the College Football Hall of Fame. One of the most recognizable of these names is former North Carolina running back Charlie “Choo Choo” Justice, who helped guide North Carolina to three bowl appearances. He was a first-team All-America selection and the Heisman Trophy runner-up in 1948 and 1949. In 1949, Justice earned first-team allconference honors for the fourth consecutive season, becoming the first player in league history to achieve that feat. He was a member of the league’s inaugural Hall of Fame Class in 2009.

Another of the league’s football products who made it to the College Football Hall of Fame is Sam Huff of West Virginia. Huff was a three-year starter on both the offensive and defensive lines for the Mountaineers.

In 1955, Huff earned first-team All-America honors on the field and was a first-team Academic All-American for his work in the classroom. He played 12 seasons in the National Football League for the New York Giants and the Washington Redskins. Also a member of the conference’s first Hall of Fame class, he was a five-time All-Pro linebacker and is also a member of the Pro

John Iamarino Commissioner

Geoff Cabe Senior Associate Commissioner

Football Hall of Fame.

Former Appalachian State coach Jerry Moore was enshrined in December 2014.

The winningest coach in Appalachian State and Southern Conference history, Moore compiled a 215-87 record in his 24 seasons at Appalachian State (1989–2012), including 10 SoCon championships, 18 postseason appearances and an unprecedented three straight NCAA Division I FCS/I-AA national titles (2005–07).

In 1999, Georgia Southern’s Adrian Peterson captured the Walter Payton Award, presented annually to the Football Championship Subdivision’s most out­ standing offensive player. Peterson, a fourtime All-American who finished his career as the NCAA Division I leader in rushing yards with 6,559, will be the league’s next inductee into the College Football Hall of Fame when he is enshrined in December 2017.

Furman’s Louis Ivory was awarded the honor in 2000, Georgia Southern’s Jayson Foster was presented with the 2007 trophy and most recently, Appalachian State’s record-setting quarterback Armanti Edwards became the first two-time winner in Payton Award h ­ istory after claiming the honors in 2008 and 2009.

Appalachian State’s Dexter Coakley was a three-time all-conference selection and consensus All-American in 1994, ’95 and ’96 before going on to stardom with the Dallas Cowboys. Coakley won a pair of Buck Buchanan Awards, given to Football Championship Subdivision’s top defensive player each year. Terrell Owens went from catching passes at Chattanooga to a stellar NFL career. Western Carolina’s David Patten and Appalachian State’s Matt Stevens were both members of the New England Patriots’ Super Bowl champion team in 2002, and Patten also earned Super Bowl rings with the Patriots in 2004 and ’05. Appalachian State’s Daniel Kilgore appeared in Super Bowl XLVII for the San Francisco 49ers in 2013.

COACHES AND ADMINISTRATORS

The Southern Conference has also been

Sue Arakas Associate Commissioner

Doug King Associate Commissioner for Compliance

Jason Yaman Associate Commissioner

a breeding ground for some of college athletics’ most recognized coaches and administrators.

Legendary basketball coaches Adolph Rupp of Kentucky and Everett Case of North Carolina State both worked the sidelines in the Southern Conference. Rupp guided the Wildcats to a 30-5 mark during the 1931 and ’32 seasons. Yet, for all his coaching accomplishments, Rupp never led Kentucky to a Southern Conference tournament championship. Case mentored the Wolfpack to six consecutive Southern Conference tour­ nament championships from 1947 through 1952.

Lefty Driesell coached Davidson to Southern Conference tournament championships in 1966, 1968 and 1969. He also won the league’s coach of the year award four straight times from 1963 through 1966.

Former Georgia Tech coach Bobby Cremins earned league coach of the year honors three times in the late ’70s and early ’80s while at Appalachian State and again in 2010–11 as head coach at the College of Charleston.

Terry Holland saw his basketball ­coaching career take off at Davidson when he returned to his alma mater in 1970. He was honored as the Southern Conference coach of the year for three consecutive seasons (1970– 72) and led the Wildcats to the conference tournament title and an appearance in the NCAA tournament in 1970. J. Dallas Shirley, a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, spent 21 years as the assistant to the commissioner and supervisor of officials in the Southern Conference. He also served as president of the International Association of Basketball Officials and the United States Olympic Basketball Committee.

The legendary Paul “Bear” Bryant got his coaching start in the Southern Conference as he guided the Maryland Terrapins in 1945. Another famous Southern Conference football coach is the late Frank Howard of Clemson, who guided the Tigers as a league member from 1940 to 1952. The incom­parable Howard won 69 Southern Conference games.

The Southern Conference has been represented on the sidelines at five Super Bowls in recent years. Bobby Ross, who piloted the San Diego Chargers to the 1996 Super Bowl, was the head coach at The Citadel from 1973 to 1977. Former Buffalo Bills head coach Marv Levy, who coached the Bills in four Super Bowls, directed William & Mary from 1964 to 1968 and was succeeded there by Lou Holtz. The Carolina Panthers, owned by Wofford alumnus Jerry Richardson, and with former Wofford athletics director and SoCon commissioner Danny Morrison serving as team president, played in Super Bowl 50.

73

NATIONAL AWARDS

Fred Bishop Linebacker 1999 All-American

Bobby Bowden Quarterback 1952 All-Amercian

Cortland Finnegan Surkano Edwards Safety Running Back 1992 Honorable Mention, OVC Defensive Player of the Year Sports Network 2003 Third-Team All-Amercian All-American 2005 AFCA All-American

Harold Hill End 1937 Honorable Mention All-Amercian

74

Devlin Hodges Quarterback 2016 Third-Team All-American

James Bradberry 2015 STATS All-American

Wally Burnham Linebacker 1963 All-Amercian

Norman Cooper Center 1936 All-Amercian

Philip Duplanis 1999 First-Team All-Independent 1999 Honorable Mention All-American

Marcus Durgin Cornerback 1991 Second-Team Sports Network 1991, 1992 Third-Team Associated Press

Jimbo Fisher Quarterback 1987 All-Amercian 1987 FB News Offensive Player of the Year

Sam Goldman End 1940 Honorable Mention All-Amercian

Karel Hamilton Wide Receiver 2016 Consensus All-American

Tim Hamrick Punter 1987 Football News All-Amercian

Efrem Hill Wide Receiver 2003 OVC Male Athlete of the Year, Consensus All-足American, OVC Offensive Player of the Year, 2004 AFCA All-American

Scott Holmes Punter 1994 Associated Press All-Amercian

Harley Hopkins End 1938 Honorable Mention足 All-足American

Bobby Jackson Half back 1962 All-Amercian

Anthony Jordan Jim Lovette Running Back Running Back 1994 Associated Press 1966 Honorable Mention All-Amercian A足 ll-American

Joe Milazzo Quarterback 1960 All-American

James Tarrant End 1940 Honorable Mention ­All-American 1941 Third-Team All-American

Michael O’Neal Anthony Pistelli Kicker 2015 AP 1991 CoSIDA Academic First Team Second-Team All-American, All-American Walter Camp All-American

Jaquiski Tartt Safety First-Team All-­American, 2014 Second-Team All-American, 2013 First-Team All-­American Sports Network Walter Camp 2012

Fabian Truss Kick Returner First-Team All-American, 2013 Second-Team All-American, Sports Network 2012

David Primus Kick Returner 1989 Football News All-American

Justin Shade First-Team All-American Sports Network 2013

Bryce Smith Linebacker 2010 Associated Press All-American

Bennie Story Defensive Tackle 1961 All-American

Cameron Yaw 2011 and 2012 All-American

75

76

NFL

BULLDOGS IN THE JAMES BRADBERRY was drafted in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers. He enters his second season with the Panthers this fall.

KAREL HAMILTON signed as

MICHAEL PIERCE signed as an undrafted free agent with the Baltimore Ravens in 2016. He enters his second season with the Ravens this fall.

JAQUISKI TARTT became the highest NFL Draft pick in Samford history when he was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the second round of the 2015 Draft. He enters his third season with the 49ers.

COREY WHITE was drafted by

NICK WILLIAMS was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the seventh round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He is currently a member of the Miami Dolphins.

an undrafted free agent with the Cincinnati Bengals following the 2016 season.

the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round of the 2012 NFL Draft. In 2014, he started nine games in the Saints’ secondary. In 2015, he played for the Dallas Cowboys and with the Buffalo Bills in 2016. He is currently a member of the New York Jets.

77

YEAR-BY-YEAR LEADERS RUSHING

YEAR 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974–83 1984–85 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

NAME Bobby Jackson Bobby Jackson Reggie Allen Larry Lackey Richard Cruce Larry Lackey Jackie Clayton Jim Lovette Mike Ray Mike Ray Mike Cobb Walter McCoy Tommy Wheelis statistics not available no team statistics not available Jeff Price Shorty Smith Shorty Smith Brady Jones Brady Jones Surkano Edwards Surkano Edwards Damian Hines Anthony Jordan James Griffith Jerome Russell Rashad Brewer Jerome Russell Jerome Russell Kadell Wright Jason Ogletree Jason Ogletree Fred Gilliam Ray Nelson Justin Ray Marcus Rice Chris Evans Chris Evans Chris Evans Chris Evans Fabian Truss Fabian Truss Fabian Truss Denzel Williams Denzel Williams K’rondis Larry

PASSING

76-397 149-889 140-845 170-848 217-1102 143-824 187-1270 122-497 141-924 146-678 161-589 147-735 163-894 177-1236 122-521 113-667 94-428 110-430 167-799 122-479 67-322 185-1033 260-1284 241-1152 233-1106 150-847 206-1063 167-877 191-918 118-518 83-482

YEAR NAME ATT-COMP-INT (TD) 1960 Joe Milazzo 145-80 (5) 1961 Johnny Shoemaker 65-31 (7) 1962 Johnny Shoemaker 91-54 (4) 1963 Larry Wyatt 57-20 (1) 1964 Larry Wyatt 91-30 (5) 1965 Jerry Colvin 193-89-20 (5) 1966 Jim Lovette 87-37 (3) 1967 Jim Lovette 170-83-8 (12) 1968 Jim Lovette 150-56-12 (8) 1969 Waylan Trammell 149-66-11 (9) 1970 Waylan Trammell 135-63-7 (9) 1971 Waylan Trammell 119-61-10 (5) 1972 Jimmy Nipper 149-81-3 (5) 1973 Steve Loflin 123-54 (8) 1974–83 no team 1984–85 statistics not available 1986 Scotty King 155-84-7 (9) 78

1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

ATT-YDS AVG 73-703 9.6 78-653 8.4 90-513 5.7 84-373 4.4 136-506 3.7 93-292 3.1 103-447 4.3 116-631 5.4 129-506 3.9 79-347 4.4 168-797 4.7 74-300 4.1 110-405 3.7

5.2 6.0 6.0 5.0 5.1 5.8 6.8 5.8 6.6 4.6 3.7 5.0 5.5 6.7 4.2 5.9 4.3 3.9 4.8 3.9 4.8 5.6 4.9 4.8 4.8 5.6 5.2 5.3 4.8 4.4 5.8

Jimbo Fisher Ted Darby Ted Darby Ted Darby Ben Wiggins Ben Wiggins Bart Yancey Bart Yancey Bart Yancey Bart Yancey Jake Rackley Mike Cain Josh Kellett Josh Kellett Ray Nelson Josh Kellett Ray Nelson Ray Nelson J. Adcock J. Adcock J. Adcock D. Taliaferro D. Taliaferro D. Taliaferro D. Taliaferro A. Summerlin A. Summerlin M. Eubank D. Hodges D. Hodges

RECEIVING

YDS 1248 634 624 264 424 1162 627 1190 729 912 884 790 855 808 996

252-139-5 (34) 293-122-9 (13) 317-159-13 (7) 245-122-9 (8) 395-207-13 (17) 296-145-8 (16) 278-145-15 (7) 245-143-11 (10) 273-140-16 (10) 277-145-11 (9) 208-112-6 (6) 89-49-3 (5) 136-67-7 (4) 117-52-12 (4) 219-120-6 (13) 225-130-11 (12) 408-242-9 (23) 460-258-10 (20) 366-189-16 (18) 169-91-7 (5) 411-225-12 (14) 225-151-5 (13) 321-190-9 (9) 224-133-9 (5) 372-233-10 (14) 365-244-6 (10) 478-300-13 (26) 289-183-8 (12) 288-200-6 (12) 375-530-8 (36)

YEAR NAME 1960 Buddy Bozeman 1961 Buddy Bozeman 1962 Buddy Bozeman 1963 Charles Jacob 1964 James Cecil Long 1965 Mike Bishop 1966 Jimmie Jackson 1967 John Easley 1968 Larry Cox 1969 Larry Cox 1970 Larry Cox 1971 Larry Cox 1972 Charles Clanton 1973 Steve Stewart 1974–83 no team 1984–85 statistics not available 1986 John Caradine 1987 Tim Richardson 1988 Tim Richardson 1989 Steve Miles 1990 Brian James 1991 Donnie Rory 1992 TeDarryl Marshall 1993 Scott McFadden 1994 Ron Green 1995 Mike Porter 1996 Michael Watson 1997 Michael Watson 1998 Jerome Russell 1999 Aryvia Holmes 2000 Aryvia Holmes 2001 Aryvia Holmes 2002 Aryvia Holmes 2003 Efrem Hill 2004 Efrem Hill 2005 Jeff Moore 2006 Jeff Moore

2394 1773 1953 1709 2532 1907 1638 1633 1661 1568 1574 701 831 733 1466 1518 2759 2807 2338 915 2472 1745 1692 1427 2301 2269 3640 2136 230 4088

REC-YDS 39-680 13-216 24-279 8-139 12-142 34-515 28-468 33-604 22-287 33-377 25-363 33-459 29-410 25-347 30-382 36-918 44-965 39-353 46-963 52-503 28-405 26-272 38-472 42-601 35-432 28-418 20-175 24-345 28-410 74-1042 84-1158 92-1387 71-984 53-669 49-668

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Jeff Moore Jonathan Lowery Chris Evans Quin Roberson Kelsey Pope Kelsey Pope Kelsey Pope Karel Hamilton Karel Hamilton Karel Hamilton

TOTAL OFFENSE

61-996 27-457 38-172 31-474 86-810 68-552 68-789 55-877 75-880 111-1389

YEAR NAME PLAYS-YARDS 1960 Joe Milazzo 169-1281 1961 Johnny Shoemaker 94-765 1962 Johnny Shoemaker 138-761 1963 Larry Wyatt 141-623 1964 Larry Wyatt 186-790 1965 Jerry Colvin 272-1189 1966 Jim Lovette 170-892 1967 Jim Lovette 286-1821 1968 Jim Lovette 249-1060 1969 Waylan Trammell 218-901 1970 Waylan Trammell 208-1026 1971 Waylan Trammell 202-983 1972 Waylan Trammell 232-1086 1973 statistics not available 1974–83 no team 1984–85 statistics not available 1986 Scotty King 253-1245 1987 Jimbo Fisher 327-2631 1988 Ted Darby 348-1599 1989 Ted Darby 366-1804 1990 Ted Darby 282-1548 1991 Ben Wiggins 433-2489 1992 Ben Wiggins 317-1897 1993 Bart Yancey 314-1597 1994 Bart Yancey 288-1510 1995 Bart Yancey 304-1595 1996 Bart Yancey 323-1568 1997 Jake Rackley ­287-1708 1998 Jerome Russell 163-894 1999 Josh Kellett 283-1593 2000 Josh Kellett 213-999 2001 Ramon Nelson 299-1692 2002 Josh Kellett 269-1589 2003 Ray Nelson 523-3140 2004 Ray Nelson 627-3606 2005 Jefferson Adcock 489-2703 2006 Jefferson Adcock 225-981 2007 Jefferson Adcock 433-2451 2008 Dustin Taliaferro 291-1805 2009 Dustin Taliaferro 407-1751 2010 Dustin Taliaferro 290-1564 2011 Dustin Taliaferro 437-2356 2012 Andy Summerlin 416-2218 2013 Andy Summerlin 537-3532 2014 Michael Eubank 379-2350 2015 Devlin Hodges 362-2557 2016 Devlin Hodges 641-4310

G N I R E T A C T• U O Y R R A C DINE IN •

A taste for winning, a hunger for excellence- from the gridiron of Seibert Stadium to the hot, hickory coals of Dreamland BBQ. This season, put on your blue & red, tie on a bib, and huddle round a slab of our legendary ribs. Now that’s the ultimate tailgating experience. Go Bulldogs!

SOUTHSIDE | INVERNESS CORNERS

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WE SHIP ANYWHERE IN THE USA!

The Ultimate Triple Threat

79

TEAM AND INDIVIDUAL RECORDS SCORING Most Points Scored Game: 87, vs. Birmingham-Southern, 1907

Quarter: 32, vs. Troy State, 1961

Season: 517, by 1987 team Most Touchdowns

Game: 12, vs. Troy State, 1961

12, vs. Memphis Navy, 1961

Season: 74, by 1987 team RUSHING Most Net Yards Gained

Game: 463, vs. Austin Peay, 1999

Season: 3,439, by 1999 team Most Rushing Attempts

Game: 87, vs. University of Mexico, 1963

Season: 627, by 1999 team Most Touchdowns Rushing

Game: 10, vs. Troy State, 1961

Season: 41, by 1999 team

Anthony Jordan

Michael O’Neal

TOTAL OFFENSE Most Yards Gained

Game: 752, vs. Florida A&M, 2015

Season: 5,403, by 2013 team Most Plays

Game: 104, at Mississippi State, 2016

Season: 911, by 2013 team Most First Downs

Game: 36, vs. Mars Hill, 2016; 36, vs. Maryville, 1987; 36, vs. Florida A&M, 2015

Season: 266, by 2016 team PUNTING Most Punts

Game: 12, vs. Nicholls State, 1988

12, vs. Chattanooga, 1968

Season: 75, by 2009 team

Tank Edwards

Jimbo Fisher

PASSING Most Yards Passing

Game: 521, vs. Southeastern Louisiana, 2013

Season: 4,193, by 2016 team Most Passing Attempts

Game: 70, at Mississippi State, 2016; 70, at Furman, 2013

Season: 546, by 2016 team Most Pass Completions

Game: 44, at Furman, 2013

Season: 386, by 2016 team

Most Yards Punted

Game: 509, vs. Chattanooga, 1968

Season: 2,988, by 2013 team Highest Punting Average

Game (min. 5 punts): 54.2, vs. Chattanooga (5-271), 2009

Season: 43.2, by 2015 team (48 for 2,073) INTERCEPTIONS Most Passes Intercepted

Game: 8, vs. Anderson, 1986

Season: 24, by 1971 team Most Yards Returned

Game: 142, vs. Hampden-Sydney, 1987

Season: 285, by 1987 team

Most Passes Intercepted

Game: 6, vs. Jacksonville State, 1995

6, vs. Youngstown State, 1991

Season: 20, by 1985, 1969 and 1965 teams Highest Completion Percentage

Season: 70.7, by 2016 team (386 of 546) Most Touchdown Passes

Game: 7, vs. Ferrum, 1987; vs. Maryville, 1987

Season: 40, by 1987 team Brady Jones 80

Ted Darby

TEAM DEFENSE Fewest Points Yielded

Season: 30, by 1909 team (eight games) Fewest First Downs Allowed

Game: 2, vs. Louisiana College, 1966

Season: 93, by 1960 team Fewest Net Yards Rushing Allowed

Game: -9, vs. Louisiana College, 1966

Season: 865, by 1971 team LOWEST AVERAGE NET YARDS Allowed Rushing (per game)

Season: 96.1, by 1971 team (865 in nine games) Passing

Game: 0, vs. Georgetown (Ky.) and Maryville (Tenn.), 1960

Season: 49.0, by 1959 team (490 in 10 games)

Most Yards Gained

Game: 312, Surkano Edwards, vs. UT Martin, 1992

Season: 1,284, Chris Evans, 2008

Career: 4,575, Chris Evans, 2007–10 Most Touchdowns

Game: 4, Michael Eubank, vs. VMI, 2014

4, Steve Hayden, vs. Morgan State, 1995

4, Brady Jones, vs. Austin Peay, 1990

4, Brady Jones, vs. East Tennessee State, 1989

4, Jim Lovette, vs. Furman, 1966

Season: 17, Brady Jones, 1990

Career: 34, Brady Jones, 1989–90 PASSING Most Yards Gained

Game: 495, Andy Summerlin, vs. Georgia Southern, 2013

Season: 4,088, Devlin Hodges, 2016

Career: 7,950, Ray Nelson, 2001–04 Most Attempts

Game: 69, Devlin Hodges, at Mississippi State, 2016

69, Andy Summerlin, at Furman, 2013

Season: 530, Devlin Hodges, 2016

Career: 1,248, Ray Nelson, 2001–04

Cortland Finnegan

Jeff Moore

Most Completions

Game: 44, Andy Summerlin, at Furman, 2013

Season: 375, Devlin Hodges, 2016

Career: 704, Ray Nelson, 2004 Most Interceptions

Game: 5: Jefferson Adcock, at Eastern Kentucky, 2007

5, Bart Yancey, vs. Jacksonville State, 1994

5, Jerry Colvin, vs. Southwestern Louisiana, 1965

Season: 20, Jerry Colvin, 1965

Career: 54, Bart Yancey, 1993–96 Highest Completion Percentage

Season (min. 50 att.): 70.8, Devlin Hodges (375-530), 2016

Career (min. 50 att.): 70.3, Devlin Hodges, (575-818), 2015–

Jefferson Adcock

Efrem Hill

OFFENSE Longest Single Plays

Touchdown Run from Scrimmage: 94, K’rondis Larry, at Mercer, 2015

Touchdown Pass Completions: 94, Devlin Hodges to Emmanuel Obajimi, at Mercer, 2015

Punts: 79 yards, Bob Hooper, vs. Georgia Southern, 2008

Field Goals: 52 yards, Cameron Yaw, at Chattanooga, 2012

Punt Returns for Touchdowns: 92, Mark Longnecker, vs. ­Livingston, 1968

Kickoff Returns for Touchdowns: 100, Karel Hamilton, vs. Chattanooga, 2015 100, Fabian Truss, vs. Western Carolina, 2013

100, Fabian Truss, at Georgia State, 2013

100, Emmit Lewis, vs. ­Jacksonville State, 1971

Interception Returns: 100, Ricky Fields, vs. Concord, 1990

Most Touchdown Passes

Game: 6, Jimbo Fisher, vs. Ferrum, 1987

6, Jimbo Fisher, vs. Maryville, 1987

Season: 36, Devlin Hodges, 2016

Career: 60, Ray Nelson, 2001–04 PASS RECEIVING Most Receptions

Game: 17, Kelsey Pope, at The Citadel, 2011

Season: 111, Karel Hamilton, 2016

Career: 279, Karel Hamilton, 2013–16 Most Yards Gained

Game: 260, Jeff Moore, at Tennessee Tech, 2007

Season: 1,389, Karel Hamilton, 2016

Career: 3,803, Karel Hamilton, 2013–16

RUSHING Most Carries

Game: 37, Chris Evans, at Wofford, 2009

Season: 260, Chris Evans, 2008

Career: 919, Chris Evans, 2007–10 81

Most Touchdown Receptions Game: 3, Jeff Moore, at Tennessee Tech, 2007

3, Efrem Hill, vs. West Alabama, 2004

3, Efrem Hill, vs. Eastern Kentucky, 2004

3, Efrem Hill, vs. West Alabama, 2003

3, Mike Porter, vs. Nicholls State, 1995

3, Ron Green, vs. Central Florida, 1994

Season: 15, Efrem Hill, 2003

Career: 31, Efrem Hill, 2001–04 TOTAL OFFENSE Most Yards Game: 513, Devlin Hodges, at Mississippi State, 2016

Season: 4,310, Devlin Hodges, 2016

Career: 9,575, Ray Nelson, 2001–04 Most Plays Game: 86, Devlin Hodges, at Mississippi State, 2016

Season: 641, Devlin Hodges, 2016

Career: 1,691, Ray Nelson, 2001–04 Most All-Purpose Yards Game: 435, Jimbo Fisher, vs. Wingate, 1987

Season: 2,260, Anthony Jordan, 1994 (924 rush., 400 rec., 936 ret.)

Career: 6,640, Fabian Truss, 2010–13 (3,088 rush., 764 rec., 2,493 kickoff ret., 295 punt ret.)

Most Touchdowns (responsible for) Game: 6, Jimbo Fisher, vs. Ferrum, 1987

6, Jimbo Fisher, vs. Maryville, 1987

6, Jim Lovette, vs. Furman, 1967

Season: 40, Devlin Hodges, 2016

40, Jimbo Fisher, 1987

Career: 60, Ray Nelson, 2001–04 Most Points (responsible for) Game: 36, Jimbo Fisher, vs. Ferrum, 1987

36, Jimbo Fisher, vs. Maryville, 1987

36, Jim Lovette, vs. Furman, 1967

Season: 244, Jimbo Fisher, 1987

Career: 480, Ray Nelson, 2001–04 PUNTING Most Punts Game: 12, Tim Hamrick, vs. Nicholls State, 1988 12, Trent Chason, vs. ­Chattanooga, 1968

Season: 73, Bob Hooper, 2009

73, Brian Holmes, 1997

Career: 238, Trent Chason, 1967–70 Most Yards Punted Game: 509, Trent Chason, vs. ­Chattanooga, 1968

Season: 3,026, Bob Hooper, 2009

Career: 9,469, Trent Chason, 1967–70 Highest Average

Game (min. 5 punts): 54.2, Bob Hooper, vs. Chattanooga (5-271), 2009

Season (min. 30 punts): 42.9, Greg Peranich (52-2,229), 2014

42.9, Greg Peranich (68-2,915), 2013

Career (min. 70 punts): 41.6, Greg Peranich (234-9,737), 2011–14

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Most Punts Returned

Season: 33, Marcus Durgin, 1992

Career: 77, Jerome Russell, 1996–99 Most Punt Return Yards

Season: 396, Jim Lovette, 1965

Career: 769, Jerome Russell, 1996–99 Highest Return Average

Season (min. 10 ret.): 17.9, Julius Head (11-197), 1961

Career (min. 25 ret.): 17.7, Richard Cruce (30-530), 1961–64 KICKOFF RETURNS Most Kickoffs Returned

Season: 50, David Primus, 1989

Career: 106, David Primus, 1988–91 Most Kickoff Return Yards Game: 263, Cortland Finnegan, vs. Murray State, 2002

Season: 1,411, David Primus, 1989

Career: 2,692, David Primus, 1988–91 Highest Return Average

Season (min. 10 ret.): 33.3, Marcus Durgin (15-499), 1992 (led NCAA Division I-AA)

Career (min. 20 ret.): 29.4, Fabian Truss(85-2,493), 2010-13 SCORING Touchdowns Game: 4, Michael Eubank, vs. VMI, 2014

4, Fabian Truss vs. Gardner-Webb, 2012

4, Kelsey Pope, vs. Stillman, 2011

4, Steve Hayden, vs. Morgan State, 1995

4, Surkano Edwards, vs. UT Martin, 1992

4, Brady Jones, vs. Austin Peay, 1990

4, Brady Jones, vs. East Tennessee State, 1989

4, Jim Lovette, vs. Furman, 1967

Season: 18, Brady Jones, 1990

Career: 35, Brady Jones, 1988–90 Most Extra Points Game: 10, Mike Bofamy, vs. Maryville, 1987

Season: 50, Reece Everett, 2016

Career: 142, Michael O’Neal, 1989–92 Most Field Goals Game: 5, Anthony Pistelli, vs. Clark-Atlanta, 2015

Season: 23, Cameron Yaw, 2011

Career: 67, Cameron Yaw, 2009–2012

Most Points Game: 24, Michael Eubank, vs. VMI, 2014

24, Fabian Truss at Gardner-Webb, 2012

24, Kelsey Pope, vs. Stillman, 2010

24, Surkano Edwards, vs. UT Martin, 1992

24, Brady Jones, vs. Austin Peay, 1990

24, Brady Jones, vs. East Tennessee State, 1989

24, Jim Lovette, vs. Furman, 1967

Season: 108, Brady Jones, 1990

Career: 303, Cameron Yaw, 2009-12

All records are from 1960 to present. All ­former ­players, coaches and individuals are ­encouraged to send corrections or additions, with supporting documen­tation, to the Samford Office of Athletics Communication.

Most Points by Kicking Game: 19, Anthony Pistelli, vs. Clark-Atlanta, 2015

Season: 101, Anthony Pistelli, 2015 101, Cameron Yaw, 2011

Career: 303, Cameron Yaw, 2009–12 DEFENSE Most Interceptions Game: 3, Josh Kimberlin, at Florida A&M, 2013

3, David Primus, vs. West Georgia, 1988

3, Billy Robison, vs. Millsaps, 1987

Season: 7, Jeff Morris, 1996

7, Marcus Durgin, 1991

7, David Primus, 1988

Career: 17, Marcus Durgin, 1990–93 Most Yards Returned Interceptions Game: 100, Ricky Fields, vs. Concord, 1990

Season: 162, Jerome Beaman, 1987

Career: 226, Marcus Durgin, 1990–93 TACKLES Most Tackles

Season: 161, Craig Conner, 1989

Career: 481, Craig Conner, 1987–90 Most Defensive Plays

Season: 165, Craig Conner, 1989

Career: 495, Craig Conner, 1987–90 Sacks

Season: 9.5, Justin Shade, 2013

Career: 24, James Taylor, 1995–98 FUMBLES Most Fumbles Recovered

Season: 4, Steve Tennin, 2004

4, Joe Acklin, 1996

4, Ernest Barbee, 1991

4, Ollie Sanders, 1990

Career: 10, Jeremy Perkins, 1991–94 Most Fumbles Caused

Season: 5, Tory James, 1993

Career: 7, Fred Bishop, 1996–99

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For more information on how you can become a sponsor of Samford athletics, call Leon Ryan at 205-726-4717.

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