Birmingham, Ala. –The wait is finally over as the Samford football team is set to open the 2024 season on the road as the Bulldogs head east for a season-opening showdown with the Wolves of West Georgia.
Saturday's season opener is slated for a 5 p.m. CT kickoff in Carrollton, Ga. and will be streamed on ESPN+. The trio of Logan Maddox, Parker Gore and Carlie Pair will call the action.
For this week's complete game notes, click here.
Samford is coming off a 6-5 season in 2023 that concluded with an upset victory over No. 19 UT Martin that catapulted the Bulldogs into an offseason of change.
Saturday's contest will be West Georgia's first Division I game after jumping up from Division II in the offseason. The Wolves finished the 2023 season with a 6-4 record and 5-3 in the Gulf South Conference.
The Bulldogs and the Wolves are meeting for the sixth time in a series that dates to 1984 with the Samford holding a slight 3-2 edge. The two squads have not met since 2008, and Samford has not visited Carrollton for a contest since 1988.
Hatcher's Offenses Produce
Through his first nine seasons, Samford head coach Chris Hatcher's offenses have averaged more points than under any other head coach in program history. Entering the season, Hatcher's teams have averaged 33.92 points per game, ahead of Bobby Bowden's 28.57 average. Terry Bowden (1987-1992) averaged 27.92 points per game during his tenure while Bill Gray (2001-06 / 25.68) and Pat Sullivan (2007-14 / 25.50) round out the top five.
Putting Up Points
Over the last nine seasons under head coach Chris Hatcher, the Samford offense has scored at least 30 points 50 times. The unit has put up at least 40 points 28 times, and at least 50 points a total of 14 times.
Quick Strikes
In eight seasons under head coach Chris Hatcher, Samford has made a habit of quick scoring drives. In Hatcher's time at Samford, Samford has had 192 scoring drives of two minutes or less and 89 that have lasted one minute or less.
Graduate Students Making An Impact
Samford features 26 graduate students on its 2024 roster: Xavier Lanier (CB), Nik Scalzo (QB), Noah Martin (LB), D.J. Rias (WR), Iaan Cousin (WR), Seth Parker (CB), Micah Kelly (RB), Xavier Nurse (DE), Edwin Dearman (S), Jonathan Bennett (RB), Samuel Willoughby (WR), Mailk Gaither (LB), Thomas Neville (LB), Luke Byrne (OL), Johnny Johnson (DL), Cooper Frazier (OL), Chris Noble (OL), Alex Applefield (LS), Wilson Beaverstock (K), Jaylon Barden (WR), Joel Decoursey (TE), Conroy Cunningham II (DE), Jaylin Rainey (DL), Daniel Bettis (TE), Nazir Sy (DL), Nick Jackson (DL).
Samford In Season Openers
Samford has an all-time record of 50-54-4 in season-opening games. In season openers on the road, Samford has a mark of 13-41-2 in season openers not held at home. The Bulldogs are 7-2 in season openers under head coach Chris Hatcher. The team has won all seven of the season openers at home under Hatcher.
Samford against Georgia Teams
Samford has an all-time record of 34-38-2 against teams from the state of Georgia, including a mark of 3-2 against Saturday's opponent, West Georgia.
Against Southern Conference Teams
Since joining the Southern Conference in 2008, Samford has posted a record of 71-56 in conference games. All-time against each current members of the SoCon, Samford has a mark of 97-84-4, including a 14-13-1 record against Mercer. Samford's all-time record against each current SoCon team is Chattanooga (11-34-3), The Citadel (10-7), ETSU (8-3), Furman (12-14), Mercer (15-14-1), VMI (8-3), Western Carolina (17-4) and Wofford (16-5).
Against United Athletic Conference Teams
Against the current members of the United Athletic Conference, Samford has an all-time record of 19-27-3 including a 3-2 record against Saturday night's opponent West Georgia. Samford's record against each current UAC is Austin Peay (8-1), Central Arkansas (2-0), Eastern Kentucky (1-8), North Alabama (5-6-2) and West Georgia (3-2). The Bulldogs have never played Tarleton State, Abilene Christian, Southern Utah and Utah Tech.
On this Date
Samford has an all-time record of 5-2 in games played on Aug. 31 with all games being played since 1995. The last time that the Bulldogs lost on Aug. 31 was a 59-58 double overtime defeat to Tennessee Tech in 2019. The last victory on Aug. 31 came last season when Samford clipped Shorter 69-14.
Two Bulldogs Headline All-SoCon Preseason Teams
Graduate student linebacker Noah Martin was the lone Bulldog named preseason first team All-SoCon when the squads were announced in July. Graduate student offensive lineman Chris Noble was tabbed for the second team.
Mister Martin
Noah Martin, a consensus first team All-SoCon defender in 2023, led the SoCon with 109 and became the first Bulldog defender to eclipse 100 tackles since John Staton had 115 in 2019. Martin's 109 tackles were good enough to rank him 13th nationally. Heading into the 2024 season, Martin was named a preseason All-American by FCS Football Central, Stats Perform and Phil Steele while landing on the Buck Buchanan Award Watch List.
Quarterback Intrigue
One of the biggest storylines that has dominated fall camp is who will be under center for the Bulldogs in the season opener. Quincy Crittendon and Nik Scalzo have big shoes to fill after the likes of Micheal Hiers, Liam Welch and Walter Payton Award Winner Devlin Hodges.
Calling Homewood Home
The 2024 Samford roster features 11 transfers from schools located inside the 205 area code: D.J. Rias (Alabama), Kobe Hughes (Birmingham-Southern), Jonathan Bennett (Alabama), Samuel Willoughby (Alabama), Teddy Davenport (UAB), Dayton Green (Birmingham-Southern), Chris Noble (UAB), Brett Johnson (UAB), Joshua Lovett (Birmingham-Southern), Charlie Rickell (Birmingham-Southern), Wilson Beaverstock (UAB).
Bringing The Power
The 2024 Samford football roster also features several Power Four transfers including Nik Scalzo (Kentucky), D.J. Rias (Alabama), Mack Howard (Utah), Rayf Vinson (Ole Miss), Stephen Martin (UCF), Gumbo Gaskins (Vanderbilt), Jonathan Bennett (Alabama), Samuel Willoughby (Alabama), Deuce Caldwell II (North Carolina), Daniel Bethel (Tennessee), Trustin Northington (Ole Miss), Vance Nicklaus (Florida State), Joel Decoursey (Vanderbilt).
New Faces In New Places
Not only has there been change on the roster, but the Bulldog coaching staff has some new faces also: Adam Braithwaite (Defensive Coordinator/Safeties), Brendan Bognar (Quarterbacks), Peter Renkoski (Tight Ends/Assistant Offensive Line), Chazmon Scales (Cornerbacks) and Blake Catlett (Defensive Ends).
Running The Rock
Despite being known as an "Air Raid" offensive system, graduate student running back Jay Stanton led all SoCon rushers with 971 yards on the ground in 2022. Stanton also set the career rushing record touchdown 35 career scores.
FOLLOW THE BULLDOGS:
For the latest news and information on Samford football,visit the official website for Samford Athletics atSamfordSports.com.Fans can also follow the Bulldogs on social media at/SamfordFootball (Facebook),@SamfordFootball (Instagram) and@SamfordFootball (Twitter).
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