2008 Woodie Awards
Bulldogs start on right foot
Ben Hankins
Issue date: 9/5/07 Section: Sports
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The Pat Sullivan era got off to a good start last Thursday night as the Samford Bulldogs beat the West Alabama Tigers 23-21 at Seibert Stadium.
The wind and the rain did not keep the Bulldog faithful away as final attendance reached 10,483-the third largest in school history.
"I couldn't be more happy," Sullivan said after the game. "It was pretty close there at the end and you don't always want to win that way, but our boys played full speed ahead and you can't ask for anything else."
Both players and coaches emphasized the importance of winning the first game of the 2007 season, but getting off on the right foot with the new head coach was even more rewarding.
"It feels great," senior receiver Joe Jones said about winning Sullivan's first game. "I can't emphasize the excitement he's brought to our program. We're out there playing our guts out for him. Two points, 30 points-it doesn't matter. A win's a win and this was big for us."
Samford could not have asked for a better start. The Bulldogs capitalized on the home turf excitement during the opening drive.
Senior quarterback Jefferson Adcock went 3 of 3 passing for 62 yards on a quick three-play scoring drive. He started off with back-to-back passes to senior receiver Jeff Moore, and then threw a 25 yard strike to Jones for the opening touchdown.
"We definitely wanted to get off to a good start," Adcock said.
"We hit a few passes early and capitalized on the man coverage. The offensive line blocked well and I had time to find receivers."
The senior quarterback completed 16 of 38 passes for 240 yards and two touchdowns.
He spread the ball around to eight different receivers. Jones was the leading receiver with four catches for 88 yards.
Since Adcock locked up the starting job in spring practice, players feel he has an added level of confidence-one that he did not have in 2006.
"Last year, the [quarterback] rotation kind of took away consistency," Moore said. "[Jefferson] feels a lot more secure this year. He's better and more comfortable on the field."
The wind and the rain did not keep the Bulldog faithful away as final attendance reached 10,483-the third largest in school history.
"I couldn't be more happy," Sullivan said after the game. "It was pretty close there at the end and you don't always want to win that way, but our boys played full speed ahead and you can't ask for anything else."
Both players and coaches emphasized the importance of winning the first game of the 2007 season, but getting off on the right foot with the new head coach was even more rewarding.
"It feels great," senior receiver Joe Jones said about winning Sullivan's first game. "I can't emphasize the excitement he's brought to our program. We're out there playing our guts out for him. Two points, 30 points-it doesn't matter. A win's a win and this was big for us."
Samford could not have asked for a better start. The Bulldogs capitalized on the home turf excitement during the opening drive.
Senior quarterback Jefferson Adcock went 3 of 3 passing for 62 yards on a quick three-play scoring drive. He started off with back-to-back passes to senior receiver Jeff Moore, and then threw a 25 yard strike to Jones for the opening touchdown.
"We definitely wanted to get off to a good start," Adcock said.
"We hit a few passes early and capitalized on the man coverage. The offensive line blocked well and I had time to find receivers."
The senior quarterback completed 16 of 38 passes for 240 yards and two touchdowns.
He spread the ball around to eight different receivers. Jones was the leading receiver with four catches for 88 yards.
Since Adcock locked up the starting job in spring practice, players feel he has an added level of confidence-one that he did not have in 2006.
"Last year, the [quarterback] rotation kind of took away consistency," Moore said. "[Jefferson] feels a lot more secure this year. He's better and more comfortable on the field."
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