Players to Watch:

Chris Evans, Jr., Running Back

The SoCon’s leading rusher in 2008 (1,284), Evans has topped the 1,000-yard mark in each of his first two collegiate seasons. The junior reached the endzone 14 times a year ago while also rushing for more than 100 yards in seven of 11 contests. He enters 2009 as a candidate for the Walter Payton Award.

Bryce Smith, Jr., Linebacker

Smith led Samford and ranked sixth in the SoCon with 92 tackles as a sophomore in 2008. He also forced a pair of fumbles, broke up five passes and recorded 7.5 tackles for loss as a part of the league’s top-ranked defensive unit.

Preview:

In its first SoCon season in 2008, Samford finished in a three-way tie for fourth place at 4-4 despite being picked to finish last by both the league’s coaches and media.

Pat Sullivan’s Bulldogs were strongest on defense, as they lead the league in total defense (318 ypg), scoring defense (18.8 ppg), rushing defense (103.6 ypg) and turnover margin (+1.27). Samford also controlled the clock with a power rushing game, paced by the SoCon’s top ground-gainer, Chris Evans.

Evans is back for his junior season and will be aided by lineman Thomas Gray, one of the conference’s top blockers, and quarterback Dustin Taliaferro, the consensus 2008 SoCon Freshman of the Year.

Smith was Samford’s lone defender on the preseason all-conference team, but the unit figures to be strong again in 2009, despite losing five starters.

Samford faces difficult road games, including Central Florida, Appalachian State, Furman and Wofford as well as a regionally-televised home game against Chattanooga (Oct. 10) as a part of SportSouth’s SoCon Saturday package.