By Steve Irvine
October 30, 2026
SAMFORD VS. WOFFORD
Day, site, kickoff time: Saturday, Pete Hanna Stadium, 6 p.m. CST
Records: Samford 2-6 overall, 2-3 SoCon; Wofford 5-3 overall, 3-2 SoCon
Five storylines
Can Samford do the things to start stacking wins?: Defense, the running game and winning the turnover battle were all part of last week’s win at Furman. That’s a solid blueprint to duplicate the rest of the way. Do that and perhaps Samford can start a winning streak.
What will the turnover margin category look like at the end of the game?: Samford was plus-three in the turnover margin at Furman. That was one of the biggest differences in the game. Now the Bulldogs face a Wofford defense that makes a living creating turnovers. The Terriers have intercepted nine passes and recovered nine fumbles. They are tied for sixth in the country in turnover margin (plus-eight) despite throwing seven interceptions. Samford is minus-two in the turnover margin.
Can Samford win the running game once again? The Bulldogs have outrushed an opponent just twice this season. Samford had more rushing yards than VMI (221-151) and Furman (98-77). Those are also Samford’s only two wins of the season. Finding room for running backs Ken Cherry, Emerson Russell and Domonique Thomas and quarterback Gabarri Johnson to eat up yardage on the ground is critical.
Can the Samford defense extend its streak of quarters without allowing a touchdown? The Bulldogs kept Furman out of the end zone the entire game in last week’s 13-6 road victory. The prior week, the Bulldogs defense had a rough start but kept Mercer from scoring in the final 10 minutes of the first half and the entire second half. So, entering Saturday, the Samford defense hasn’t allowed a touchdown in six quarters.
Will freshman receiver Cayden Aukerman continue to play with veteran maturity? The 6-foot-3, 205-pound Aukerman is coming off catching the game-winning touchdown against Furman. Earlier this season he had a two-touchdown game against Southern Illinois. Aukerman has 26 catches for 255 yards with three touchdowns on the season. He is tied with Marquise Henderson for the team lead in touchdown receptions and tied for second in total catches behind Preston Bird (29-291, 2 TDs).