Samford Football travels to West Georgia to open 2024 season

Birmingham, Alabama – The wait is finally over, as the Samford football team will open the 2024 season on the road, while the Bulldogs travel east to face the Wolves of West Georgia in their season opener.

Saturday’s season opener is set for 5 p.m. CT in Carrollton, Georgia, and will be streamed on ESPN+. The trio of Logan Maddox, Parker Gore and Carlie Pair will provide commentary.

Click here to see this week’s full game notes.

Samford is coming off a 6-5 season in 2023 that ended with an upset win over No. 19 UT Martin that catapulted the Bulldogs into an offseason of change.

Saturday’s game will be West Georgia’s first Division I game after moving up from Division II in the offseason. The Wolves finished the 2023 season with a record of 6-4 and 5-3 in the Gulf South Conference.

The Bulldogs and Wolves meet for the sixth time in a series that dates back to 1984, with Samford holding a slim 3-2 lead. The two teams have not met since 2008, and Samford has not been to Carrollton for a game since 1988.

Hatcher’s attacks produce
In the first nine seasons, Samford’s head coach was Chris Hatcher‘s offense has averaged more points than under any other head coach in program history. Entering the season, Hatcher’s teams are averaging 33.92 points per game, ahead of Bobby Bowden’s average of 28.57. 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.

Collect points
In the last nine seasons under head coach Chris HatcherThe Samford offense has scored at least 30 points 50 times. The unit has scored at least 40 points 28 times and at least 50 points 14 times overall.

Fast hits
In eight seasons under head coach Chris HatcherSamford has made a habit of getting to the goal quickly. In Hatcher’s time at Samford, Samford had 192 goals that took two minutes or less and 89 that took one minute or less.

Doctoral students make an impression
Samford’s 2024 graduate list includes 26 students: Xavier Lanier (CB), Nick Scalzo (Quarterback), Noah Martin (Pound), DJ Rias (WR), Iaan Cousin (WR), Seth Parker (CB), Michael Kelly (RB), Xavier Nurse (DE), Edwin Dearman (S), Jonathan Bennett (RB), Samuel Willoughby (WR), Mailk Gaither (Pound), Thomas Neville (Pound), Luke Byrne (OIL), Johnny Johnson (DL), Cooper Frazier (OIL), Chris Noble (OIL), Alex Applefield (LS), Wilson Beaverstock (C), Jaylon Barden (WR), Joel Decoursey (TE), Conroy Cunningham II (DE), Jaylin Rainey (DL), Daniel Bettis (TE), Nazir Sy (DL), Nick Jackson (DL).

Samford in the season opener
Samford has an all-time record of 50-54-4 in season openers. In season openers on the road, Samford has a record of 13-41-2 in season openers that are not at home. The Bulldogs have a record of 7-2 in season openers under head coach Chris HatcherUnder Hatcher, the team has won all seven season-opening games at home.

Samford vs Georgia Teams
Samford has an overall record of 34-38-2 against teams from the state of Georgia, including a 3-2 record against Saturday’s opponent, West Georgia.

Against Southern Conference teams
Since joining the Southern Conference in 2008, Samford has compiled a record of 71-56 in conference games. Overall, Samford has a 97-84-4 record against every current member of the SoCon, including a 14-13-1 record against Mercer. Samford’s overall record against every 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 teams from the United Athletic Conference
Against current members of the United Athletic Conference, Samford has an overall record of 19-27-3, including a 3-2 record against West Georgia, Saturday night’s opponent. 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 August 31, with all games played since 1995. The last time the Bulldogs lost on August 31 was a 59-58 double-overtime loss to Tennessee Tech in 2019. The last win on August 31 came last season, when Samford defeated Shorter 69-14.

Two Bulldogs lead the All-SoCon preseason teams
Linebacker in graduate school Noah Martin was the only Bulldog selected to the preseason All-SoCon first team when the teams were announced in July. Chris Noble was nominated for the second team.

Mr Martin

Noah Martina widely recognized first-team All-SoCon defensive lineman in 2023, led the SoCon with 109 and became the first Bulldog defensive lineman to surpass 100 tackles since John Staton had 115 in 2019. Martin’s 109 tackles were enough to rank him 13th nationally. Ahead of the 2024 season, Martin was named a preseason All-American by FCS Football Central, Stats Perform and Phil Steele and landed on the Buck Buchanan Award Watch List.

Quarterback intrigue
One of the main topics in fall camp was the question of who would start as quarterback for the Bulldogs in the season opener. Quincy Crittendon And Nick Scalzo have to follow in the big footsteps of people like Micheal Hiers, Liam Welch and Walter Payton Award winner Devlin Hodges.

Call Homewood home
The 2024 Samford roster includes 11 transfers from schools within the 205 area code: DJ Rias (Alabama), Kobe Hughes (Birmingham South), Jonathan Bennett (Alabama), Samuel Willoughby (Alabama), Teddy Davenport (UAB), Dayton Green (Birmingham South), Chris Noble (UAB), Brett Johnson (UAB), Joshua Lovett (Birmingham South), Charlie Rickell (Birmingham South), Wilson Beaverstock (UAB).

Bring the power
The 2024 Samford football roster also includes several Power Four transfers, including Nick Scalzo (Kentucky), DJ Rias (Alabama), Mack Howard (Utah), Ray Vinson (Ole Miss), Stephen Martin (UCF), Gumbo Gaskins (Vanderbilt), Jonathan Bennett (Alabama), Samuel Willoughby (Alabama), Two Caldwell II (North Carolina), Daniel Bethel (Tennessee), Trust in Northington (Ole Miss), Vance Nicklaus (State of Florida), Joel Decoursey (Vanderbilt).

New faces in new places
Not only have there been changes in the squad, there are also some new faces in the Bulldogs’ coaching staff: Adam Braithwaite (Defensive Coordinator/Safeties), Brendan Bognar (Quarterbacks), Peter Renkoski (Tight Ends/Assistant Offensive Line), Chazmon Scales (Cornerbacks) and Blake Catlett (Defensive Ends).

Let the rock run
Although it is known as the “Air Raid” offensive system, the running back Jay Stanton led all SoCon rushers with 971 yards on the ground in 2022. Stanton also set the career rushing record with 35 career touchdowns.

FOLLOW THE BULLDOGS:
For the latest Samford football news and information, visit the official Samford Athletics website at SamfordSports.com. Fans can also follow the Bulldogs on social media at /SamfordFootball (Facebook), @SamfordFootball (Instagram) and @SamfordFootball (Twitter).