LEXINGTON, Va. – The VMI Football team returns to the road on Saturday, with another Top-20 team awaiting, as the Keydets visit No. 10 Samford. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. eastern time.
  With VMI TOPPED BY No. 16 MERCER – Although VMI got an early return from quarterback Seth Morgan, the Keydets fell into a big hole against the 16th-ranked Bears before ultimately falling 55-14. VMI showed life in the third quarter, as Korey Bridy punched in two touchdowns to make the score 31-14. Mercer – who moved up to 11th in the FCS Coaches Poll and 12th in the Stats Perform Top 25 on Monday – would respond, scoring 24 straight to take the game and improve to 7-2 and 5-1 in the league. Despite the result, the VMI defense gave the Keydets a chance, collecting five turnovers on the day including two interceptions by Alex Oliver. The five takeaways were the most since 2019 (Mars Hill) and the most against a Division I opponent since 2013 (Gardner-Webb).

SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS – Samford's resume is as impressive as it gets at the FCS level, with its only loss coming at No. 2 Georgia, leading to a national ranking of 10th in both the FCS Coaches and Stats Perform Top 25. In addition to a perfect record in the league, Samford opened the season with a 27-17 win against No. 8 Kennesaw State. After winning in a shootout at ETSU, Samford dominated The Citadel 38-3 with quarterback Michael Hiers going 30-for-35 for 260 yards and three scores. 

HOW THEY RANK – Junior quarterback Michael Hiers has been a star all season, boasting a completion percentage of 76.0 (2nd, FCS) with an average of 27.38 completions per game (3rd, FCS)), 23 touchdowns (5th, FCS) and a passer efficiency rating of 164.0 (9th) en route to three SoCon Offensive Player of the Week awards. Kendall Watson (6.8) and Chandler Smith (6.6) rank 11th and 13th nationally in receptions per game, while Smith has eight touchdown receptions (8th, FCS) and Watson (five (41st, FCS). 

THE SERIES – Meeting just nine times, Samford has the all-time edge in the series with a 6-3 record. In Birmingham, Samford is 3-1 all-time. On the flip side, the Keydets have had momentum on their side, winning the last three meetings including two overtime games in the Fall of 2019 and Spring of 2021.   NATIONAL NUMBERS –The Keydets have been a disciplined bunch, with their average of 47.75 penalty yards per game ranking 40th nationally. Led by players like Alex Oliver, the defensive unit ranks 57th among FCS teams in passing yards allowed per game (224.4). Stone Snyder still ranks in the Top 10 in tackles per game, averaging 10.0 (10th, FCS) while fellow defensive mate Christian Dunn is 27th in the country in sacks per game (0.69). Jack Culbreath's net punt average of 42.2 yards per kick is 23th, and the aforementioned Alex Oliver ranks 25th in the country in interceptions per game (0.4).

STATS AMONG THE SOCON – VMI's ability to garner interceptions ranks fifth among SoCon teams, ranking second in fewest penalties and first in opponent penalties in league games. Getting off the field on third downs has been tough for the Keydets, converting just 27.4 percent of the chances and have given up 19 sacks in five league contests. Korey Bridy has been solid on the ground, ranking ninth with an average of 51.8 yards in five games and eighth in kick return average (12.8). Snyder's 8.8 tackles per game rank third, with Evan Eller's 7.4 ranking eighth.

AO WITH THE TO – Junior cornerback Alex Oliver had one of the best days of his career against Mercer on October 29, recording two interceptions as the Keydet defense turned the Bears over five times. It wasn't the first time Oliver had two interceptions in a game, as the Mechanicsville, Virginia native picked off Mercer twice in 2021. On the season, Oliver has a team-high three interceptions while leading VMI in pass breakups (7) and tying for third in tackles (55.0).

TWO-DEEP NOTES – While the defense remains the same as last week, the two changes on the offensive side of the ball come at quarterback and tight end. Seth Morgan has been bumped up to the number one spot once again with Wyatt Hagan backing him up. At the tight end position Aidan Twombly is out, moving up Jack Caussin and Kaden Sonnabend to 1-2.

CLIMBING THE CHARTS – Returning to action against Mercer, Seth Morgan is now just eight completions away from the 400 mark. One of his primary targets, Leroy Thomas, has 160 catches for his career, ranking sixth all-time at VMI – two away from current Duke Wide Receivers Coach Zohn Burden. His 1,666 yards currently rank ninth all-time in that category.