SAmford hosts alabama state in first home contest of 2024 season

By Steve Irvine

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - September 13, 2024

After two weeks on the road, the Samford football team will enjoy the comforts of home for the first time this season on Saturday. However, it won’t be the typical home opener when Alabama State comes to a new-look Pete Hanna Stadium.

For the first time in the stadium’s history, the north end zone will be closed in by the nearly completed Samford’s Recreation, Wellness & Athletic Complex.

“Number one, we're excited about being at home,” said Samford head coach Chris Hatcher. “Number two, we're excited about being in our new revamped stadium, that I would probably say our players have witnessed the daily progress more than anybody else on campus. Battling gravel trucks and and (trying) not to get run over by boom trucks during practice and things like that during the course of the year.”

Even though Hatcher and his players have a front row seat to the construction of an exciting new addition to the campus, the Samford head coach is still not quite sure of what to expect.

“I'm excited to walk in and see the finished product,” Hatcher said. “I think it's enhanced our stadium. Well, let me say this. I think it will enhance our stadium atmosphere by closing in the north end zone. We've been very fortunate. I think over my 10 years here, we've we got a really good home record. We have great support here at home. And I want to keep it that way and I hope, you know, this week I expect Alabama State to bring a big crowd so I'm expecting the electric deal. I just want us to do our part and go out there and play well.”

Hatcher said it took some practice time adjustment at the beginning of this week as the Bulldogs began preparation for Saturday’s game, which will kick off at 6 p.m.

“Our offense always wears the color jersey (during practice) of what we're going to wear that week,” Hatcher said. “When I walked out there, I was a little confused because we had the home jerseys on and I haven't seen those in quite some time offensively.”

Samford will be looking for its first victory after dropping decisions to West Georgia and Florida. Alabama State enters with a 1-1 record after a loss to North Carolina Central and a win over Miles College.