Steve Irvine’s Five Storylines for Samford vs. VMI
By Steve Irvine
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - October 4, 2024
VMI VS. SAMFORD
Site, kickoff time: Pete Hanna Stadium, 2 p.m.
Record: VMI 0-4 overall, 0-0 SoCon; Samford 1-2, 0-0 SoCon
Five storylines
1. Will rust play a factor for Samford? The Bulldogs are playing for the first time in 21 days. Samford head coach Chris Hatcher said earlier this week that it almost felt like a season opener. Taking some time to get back in rhythm could be a factor. But the time off also could have been helpful for a team that has yet to figure out its stride, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. By the way, VMI is coming off a bye, so they will also be well rested.
2. Can Samford’s offense take a step forward? Quarterback Quincy Crittendon and the offense looked sharp in the season opening loss at West Georgia. Since then, the Bulldogs are sputtering, averaging 255 yards and just under 10 points in a loss at Florida and a win over Alabama State. Hatcher is still se
3. Will Samford’s defense have its second consecutive dominating performance? The Bulldogs allowed 209 yards in the win over Alabama State and pitched a shutout over the final 52 minutes. On paper, the Keydets don’t offer much of a challenge. VMI averages 118 yards passing and 113 yards rushing per game. VMI has a solid running back in Hunter Rice, who was on the All-SoCon second team last season. The 6-foot, 225-pound senior rushed for 292 yards on 56 carries with three touchdowns in the first four games. VMI is not settled at quarterback. The Keydets have played three quarterbacks in four games.
4. What will the home crowd mean to the Bulldogs? Samford is 0-2 on the road thus far and the Bulldogs won its only home game. In other words, being at Pete Hanna Stadium will be a positive factor for Samford.
5. Can Samford linebacker Noah Martin extend his double digit tackle streak? This will remain a storyline until the All-American senior has his streak broken. Martin has double digit tackles in all three games this season and the final two games last season. He is currently averaging 11 tackles per game, which is fifth best in the country.