The Samford Crimson

Issue date: 10/19/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Photo courtesy of UT Martin Sports Information The Bulldog defense pummels a UT-Martin running back in last Saturday's game in Martin, Tenn. Samford's 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter were not enough to down the Skyhawks in a 31-21 loss.

This weekend, the Samford football team will work hard to impress the Seibert Stadium faithful and guests with a homecoming victory while trying to overcome two consecutive losses.

The opponent this week, Austin Peay, has a record of 4-3, being 2-2 in the OVC. This is their first year to be in the OVC for football.

Samford has an undefeated lifetime record against Austin Peay, going 8-0 with the Governors dating back to 1990. The Bulldogs won last season's match-up 17-10 in Birmingham.
The Bulldogs historically have faired well in their homecoming games.. They've won nine of their last 11 Homecoming match-ups.

This year's edition, however comes with much anticipated excitement, since it will be Head Coach Pat Sullivan's first Homecoming game at Samford.

"It is a little something special," Sullivan said. But he stresses that it is just another conference game on their schedule that they need to win.

This Homecoming game could not come at a better time. The Bulldogs are 3-0 at home and 0-3 on the road, so after consecutive road losses to Eastern Kentucky and Tennessee Martin, this week's game may tilt in their favor.

Players say that playing at home will be very beneficial in boosting the team energy and morale.

"We really need this home win on Saturday, to get ready to go back on the road for next week's game," junior fullback Adrian Bradley said.

Sullivan said that the team intensity was very high this week at practice and that the team is highly anticipating Saturday's game.

"We definitely have our work cut out for us, but we are certainly ready to bounce back after two road losses," he said.
The head coach also noted that while the Homecoming game is important, the team is treating it no differently then any other game.

"We don't waste any opportunity and every game is a privilege to play," Sullivan said.

Junior linebacker Rodney Shepard said that it is equally important not to let Homecoming be a distraction for the team.
"The game is the most important aspect of this weekend, with a few added festivities, but we can't let ourselves get distracted. We still have football to play," he said.

"Physically we are definitely ready, but mentally we need more preparation."

Senior quarterback Jefferson Adcock said that the team concentrated on regaining its focus this past week in practice.
"We just need to get back to playing our game," he said.

Kick-off for Saturday's game will be at 2 p.m. at Seibert Stadium.

Players said they are hoping a big crowd will help lead them to victory against the Governors.

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