April 10, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford football team practiced for about an hour and a half Thursday afternoon in shorts and helmets at Seibert Stadium. The practice was the ninth workout of the spring for the Bulldogs.

The practice was the final practice prior to the team's first scrimmage, which will take place Saturday morning at Seibert Stadium. Samford head coach Pat Sullivan talked about some of the things he is looking for out of the team's first scrimmage.

"The biggest thing we are looking for is, we want them to get after each other," Sullivan said. "Offensively, you don't want them to turn the ball over, and defensively, you don't want to give up the big play. Also, we want to make sure we get every player in the scrimmage to get him on film in a scrimmage situation."

Sullivan said he is excited about how his team has looked during the spring so far.

"It's been a great spring for us," Sullivan said. "We are not a polished football team right now, but our guys have probably worked as hard with as good of an attitude as any spring I have been around. I've really been pleased. I think we've gotten better. We are not ready to play a game yet, but it's really been a pleasant spring."

Sullivan said this spring has been a lot different from his first spring at Samford last season.

"The players know us (the coaches), and we know the players," Sullivan said. "I think we are bigger and stronger. We are getting good leadership from our older guys, and everything is kind of falling into place for us."

Sullivan added that some players have stepped up this spring in several areas.

"Obviously, we lost some players who we need to find replacements for," Sullivan said. "It all starts at quarterback, and we lost our starter from last year. All three of the guys who have been competing there this spring have done a good job. We are not going to name anyone the starter this spring, we are just going to let them go out there and play.

"We lost Jeff Moore and Joe Jones, two productive receivers," Sullivan said. "DeMarcus Covington has stepped up and had a good spring. Jonathan Lowery is a returning receiver and he has had a good spring as well."

"Defensively, I think our linebackers have done a good job," Sullivan said. "On the defensive line, Mark Brown has had a good spring as well."

Saturday's scrimmage is scheduled for 10 a.m. at Seibert Stadium.