The 2026 Samford Bulldogs football team represent Samford University as a member of the Southern Conference (SoCon) during the 2026 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Bulldogs play their home games at Pete Hanna Stadium in Homewood, Alabama.
The Bulldogs are led by first-year head coach John Grass. Grass was announced as Samford's 37th head football coach on December 3, 2025 as he replaced the fired Chris Hatcher and his interim replacement Scot Sloan.
Schedule
Game summaries vs. North Alabama
Statistics UNASAM First downs 10 15 Plays–yards 58–237 66–394 Rushes–yards 25–(-8) 47–165 Passing yards 245 229 Passing: comp–att–int 19–33–1 13–19–0 Turnovers 1 0 Time of possession 27:06 32:54 Team Category Player Statistics North Alabama Passing Gabarri Johnson 19/33, 245 yards, TD, INT Rushing Keion Dunlap 2 carries, 4 yards Receiving Marquise Henderson 5 receptions, 151 yards, TD Samford Passing Destin Wade 13/19, 229 yards, TD Rushing Jalen Fletcher 11 carries, 79 yards Receiving Xavier Johnson 5 receptions, 129 yards, TD
Southern Illinois
Statistics SIUSAM First downs 18 15 Plays–yards 72–334 63–272 Rushes–yards 43–181 27–70 Passing yards 153 202 Passing: comp–att–int 13–29–0 21–36–1 Turnovers 0 1 Time of possession 32:34 27:26 Team Category Player Statistics Southern Illinois Passing Jake Curry 13/29, 153 yards, 2 TD Rushing Chandler Chapman 24 carries, 133 yards Receiving Markell Quick 3 receptions, 47 yards Samford Passing Gabarri Johnson 20/35, 156 yards, 2 TD, INT Rushing Ken Cherry 7 carries, 44 yards Receiving Preston Bird 3 receptions, 63 yards
at No. 12 Tennessee Tech
Statistics SAMTNTC First downs 32 18 Plays–yards 75–320 54–409 Rushes–yards 25–39 32–180 Passing yards 281 229 Passing: comp–att–int 24–50–0 15–22–0 Turnovers 1 0 Time of possession 30:02 29:58 Team Category Player Statistics Samford Passing Gabarri Johnson 23/49, 245 yards Rushing Ken Cherry 5 carries, 21 yards Receiving Cayden Aukerman 3 receptions, 73 yards Tennessee Tech Passing Jax Leatherwood 15/22, 229 yards, 2 TD Rushing Qua Ashley 5 carries, 81 yards, TD Receiving Tre Holloway 6 receptions, 124 yards, 2 TD
VMI
Statistics VMISAM First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics VMI Passing Rushing Receiving Samford Passing Rushing Receiving
at UAB (FBS)
Statistics SAMUAB First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Samford Passing Rushing Receiving UAB Passing Rushing Receiving
at Chattanooga
Statistics SAMUTC First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Samford Passing Rushing Receiving Chattanooga Passing Rushing Receiving
Mercer
Statistics MER SAM First downs Total yards Rushing yards Passing yards Passing: Comp–Att–Int Time of possession Team Category Player StatisticsMercer Passing Rushing Receiving Samford Passing Rushing Receiving
at Furman
Statistics SAMFUR First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Samford Passing Rushing Receiving Furman Passing Rushing Receiving
Wofford
Statistics WOF SAM First downs Total yards Rushing yards Passing yards Passing: Comp–Att–Int Time of possession Team Category Player StatisticsWofford Passing Rushing Receiving Samford Passing Rushing Receiving
at East Tennessee State
Statistics SAMETSU First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Samford Passing Rushing Receiving East Tennessee State Passing Rushing Receiving
Mercer
Statistics WCU SAM First downs Total yards Rushing yards Passing yards Passing: Comp–Att–Int Time of possession Team Category Player StatisticsWestern Carolina Passing Rushing Receiving Samford Passing Rushing Receiving
at Auburn (FBS)
Statistics SAMAUB First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Samford Passing Rushing Receiving Auburn Passing Rushing Receiving
References