2018 Samford Bulldogs football team


The 2018 Samford Bulldogs football team represented Samford University in the 2018 NCAA Division I FCS football season. They were led by fourth-year head coach Chris Hatcher and played their home games at Seibert Stadium. They were a member of the Southern Conference. They finished the season 6–5, 5–3 in SoCon play to finish in fourth place.

Previous season

The Bulldogs finished the 2017 season 8–4, 6–2 in SoCon play to finish in a tie for second place. They received an at-large bid to the FCS Playoffs, where they lost to Kennesaw State in the first round..

Preseason

Award watch lists

Preseason media poll

The SoCon released their preseason media poll on July 25, 2018, with the Bulldogs predicted to finish as SoCon champions. The same day the coaches released their preseason poll with the Bulldogs also predicted to finish as SoCon champions.
1Samford204
2Furman174
3Wofford163
4Mercer133
5Western Carolina114
6Chattanooga88
7The Citadel83
8East Tennessee State53
9VMI23

Preseason All-SoCon Teams

The Bulldogs placed seven players on the all-SoCon teams. Quarterback Devlin Hodges was selected as preseason offensive player of the year and Defensive lineman Ahmad Gooden was selected as preseason defensive player of the year.
Offense
1st team
Devlin Hodges – QB
Nick Nixon – OL
Kelvin McKnight – WR
2nd team
Chris Shelling – WR
Defense
1st team
Ahmad Gooden – DL
2nd team
Christian Stark – LB
Darius Harvey – DB

Schedule

Shorter

at Florida State

Mercer

at Chattanooga

at Kennesaw State

Western Carolina

VMI

at Furman

Wofford

at The Citadel

at East Tennessee State

Ranking movements