Complete Game Notes (pdf)
The Terriers return home for the final home game of the season this Saturday against Samford ... The game will mark the final home game for 13 Wofford seniors who will be honored prior to the game ... Wofford is entering the game following a 43-17 win at The Citadel, which marked the eleventh straight win over the Bulldogs in the series ... Samford defeated Georgia Southern 31-10 last Saturday in Birmingham ... Samford leads the overall series, but Wofford won the first SoCon meeting last season ... Wofford has the nation’s best rushing attack and are seventh in the country in sacks allowed ... Samford is fifth in the nation in total defense and seventh in rushing defense ... Injuries have been taking their toll on the Terriers this season and as a result Wofford has had 34 different players earn starts this season ... The Terriers and Bulldogs are not ranked.
The Samford Series
Wofford and Samford have played six times, with the Bulldogs holding a 4-2 lead in the series. Wofford won the first game in 1949 and the most recent game in 2008. Last season was the first time the two teams met as members of the Southern Conference. Samford will be making their first trip to Spartanburg since 1961 and the first ever visit to Gibbs Stadium. The series is tied 1-1 in Spartanburg.
Terrier Top Ten
Here are the top ten notes of interest heading into the Samford game:
• The Terriers are first in the nation in rushing with 264.89 yards per game in 2009
• Fourteen players made their first career starts at South Florida and a total of 21 players have marked their first career starts this season
• The Terriers have had only ten players start all nine games this season
• Linebacker Keaton Thompson has a tackle for loss in six straight games
• Wofford has six players among the top 25 rushers in the conference
• The Terriers have been led in tackles by six different players in the nine games this season
• Mike Rucker is second all-time in kickoff return yards with 1,870 and second in kickoff
returns with 82
• Wofford leads the SoCon in rushing and kickoff returns
• The two FBS teams Wofford played this season, Wisconsin and South Florida, are both
ranked in the
USA Today Top 25
• The offensive line is seventh in the nation in fewest sacks allowed
Injury Update
Wofford opened the season without running back Jeremy Marshall, who is still recovering from a knee injury suffered in the 2008 Appalachian State game. Freshmen HB Cody Burris (clavicle) and TE Kenny Barnes (knee) will also miss the season after injuries in August camp. LB Ricco Braxton (knee, out for season), FB Eric Breitenstein (knee, out for season), DE Mitch Clark (pectoral muscle/ankle), HB Derek Boyce (knee, out for season), Hunter Hobson (knee, out for season), LB Mark Flott (knee, out for season), HB Lavadrick Farrar (concussion), HB Brad Nocek (foot, out for season), and LB Mike Niam (knee, out for season) were out of the Citadel game due to injury. During The Citadel game, there were no significant injuries.
Seniors Final Home Game
The game on Saturday will mark the final home game for 13 Wofford seniors who will be honored prior to the game. The seniors are: LB Gary Blount, DE Mitch Clark, QB Stev Davitte, OL Grant Duren, OL Joe Fornadel, DB Mychael Johnson, WR Justice Joslin, LB Hunt Marion, FB Austin Palmer, DB Drew Parks, TE Johnson Richardson, P Chris Tommie, and LB Cody Van Der Linden. Over the past four years, they have won the 2007 SoCon Championship, reached the NCAA FCS Playoffs twice and have an overall record of 28-18.
