In its first four games this season, Samford’s defense allowed 17 touchdowns. Five came at Florida State, but the Bulldogs also surrendered five to Division II member Newberry College.
Since then, points have been much harder to come by for the Bulldogs’ opponents. In its past five games, Samford’s defense has allowed just nine touchdowns.
“They’ve turned it up a notch,” said Samford coach Pat Sullivan, whose Bulldogs take on the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in a Southern Conference game Saturday at Finley Stadium.
The Bulldogs (4-5, 2-4) have won just two of their last five games, but they were in all three losses late. Last Saturday at fourth-ranked Wofford, Samford held the Terriers, who were averaging 33.9 points per game, to a touchdown and a field goal in a 10-3 loss. The Terriers drove 98 yards for the winning score in the fourth quarter.
“The last four or five games, our kids have just kept fighting and scratching and playing,” Sullivan said. “They’re awfully banged up right now, and hopefully they’ve got a couple more shots in them.”
Samford’s defense is led by senior linebacker Bryce Smith, the preseason pick for SoCon defensive player of the year. Smith leads the SoCon with 115 tackles and has 316 career stops.
The Bulldogs also have a sound secondary led by free safety Thomas Broussard, who is tied with UTC’s Kadeem Wise for second in the SoCon with six interceptions.
“They’re playing real well, and I think they’re built to stop the offenses they’ve been playing,” Mocs offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield said. “They’re big, strong, a bunch of big ol’ oak trees [up front]. They play the run extremely well.
“They’re savvy and they know how to get to the ball.”
Physical practice
Coach Russ Huesman vowed that the Mocs’ struggling defense would be more physical in practice Tuesday, and it was. The defense was quick to the ball and wrapped up well.
“The way we practiced right here is the way we’re supposed to every time,” Huesman said as he walked off the field. “That should be how we practice on Tuesday, and we haven’t been doing that.”
Senior cornerback Buster Skrine said he welcomed the renewed intensity after UTC gave up 49 points to Elon and 62 to Auburn.
“It’s been very frustrating because we know we can play better than that,” he said. “It’s our goal to play better and take every day like it’s a playoff game.”
Extra points
Defensive tackle Nick Davison practiced Tuesday after missing the Auburn game with a concussion. Backup linebacker Wes Dothard (concussion) did not practice. … Samford and UTC have started a “Southern Rail Rivalry” between the two athletic departments. Points will be awarded to the winner of each meeting in all sports, and the winner will receive a trophy. Samford has a 5-3 advantage this fall.
Contact John Frierson at jfrierson@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6268. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/mocsbeat.