Looking ahead to the Samford Bulldogs

The fourth in a series of looks ahead at WCU 2012 football opponents.

Game 4 - Samford Bulldogs

Date with Samford: Saturday, Sept. 22d, 3:30 p.m

Site: E.J. Whitmire Stadium (13,742 - Desso Challenge Pro 2 turf), Cullowhee, NC

Series: Samford lead series 8-1

Head Coach: Pat Sullivan (Auburn ‘72)

Record at Samford:  25-30 (5 yrs)

Career Record: 49-72-1 (10 yrs)

2011 Record: 6-5 overall - 4-4 in SoCon

Basic Offense: Multiple

Basic Defense: 4-3

Lettermen Returning / Lost: 50 / 23

Starters Returning / Lost (O/D/S): 16 (8/6/2) / 8 (3/5/2)

Head Coach Pat Sullivan's Samford Bulldogs travel to Cullowhee to open the home portion of the Southern Conference season for the Catamounts. This will be Family Weekend in Cullowhee, so a large crowd is to be expected in Whitmire Stadium.

The Bulldogs were picked to finish sixth in both the coaches and media Southern Conference preseason polls.  Samford placed seven players on the SoCon Preseason All-Conference teams, 3 on first team, 5 on second team.

 “I'm excited about our football team,” Samford head coach Pat Sullivan told the media gathered for media day. “Each year we have been here, we've gotten better. I think this is the most talented team, overall, that we've had. The intangibles, the leadership on and off the field, are as good as I have been around.”

On offense, Samford returns eight starters, however the biggest hole to fill is that of four year quarterback starter Dustin Taliaferro. Junior Ben Neill and senior transfer Andy Summerlin are probably the leading candidates to replace Taliaferro. "Normally, I'd be worried," Sullivan said. "I've always been a one-quarterback guy. But with Ben Neill and Andy Summerlin, we may play two. And (redshirt freshman) Carson Barnett has potential. He's just a little behind."

Favian Truss returns as the starting running back, along with returning wide receivers Kelsey Pope, Riley Hawkins and Chris Cephus. The Bulldogs also return an experienced offensive line that returns four starters, including center Ryan Dudchock.  The Bulldogs must also replace last season's offensive coordinator Rhett Ashlee, who departed for Arkansas State.

On defense, the Bulldogs may be at their weakest.  They must replace five starters, including Corey White (NFL draftee) at cornerback and defensive ends Alex Davis and Austin Hayes.  Major holes to fill is the defensive line, as Samford only returns one starter on the defensive line, senior Nicholas Williams. However, the Dogs will return five experienced linebackers, but they must  replace both starting defensive ends.

Samford boasts one of the SoCon's better kicking pairs. Place-kicker Cameron Yow completed 23 of 28 field goals and was 32 of 33 on extra points, last season. Punter Greg Peranisch averages 41 yards a kick.

While the Bulldogs will have some challenges to overcome, such as a new quarterback and replacing most of the defensive line, they do have experienced personnel to step into those positions.  The Bulldogs will present a major challenge to the Cats, but I believe the Catamounts will be competitive in this game and has an outside shot at an upset.  The Bulldogs will be coming into Cullowhee with what will probably be a big win over Gardner-Webb on the road, so the Cats will really have to be up for this one.