LEXINGTON, Va. – After topping The Citadel on the road, the Keydet football team looks keep the momentum going against Samford at Alumni Memorial Field Saturday, with kickoff scheduled for 1:30 p.m.

SECURING THE SHAKO – The VMI Football Team accomplished its mission this past weekend – bringing the Silver Shako back to Lexington after a gritty 17-13 win at The Citadel. The win snapped a two-game skid in the Military Classic of the South and was just the fourth victory in the series for VMI in the last 21 years and the third VMI win in Charleston since 1995 (the series was not played from 2008-10). The win also marked VMI's first road victory of the 2023 campaign. 
KEY STATS (vs. The Citadel)  
- Hunter Rice rushes for 111 yards and two touchdowns, marking his third career multi-touchdown game and second this season 
- Chance Knox has season-high 98 yards on nine receptions, the most receiving yards since logging 114 last season against The Citadel 
- Tahj Summey registers second interception of career 
- Josh Knapp leads the way with 9.0 tackles; Eller registers 8.0 
- Jack Culbreath punts three times, including a 49-yarder and twice pins the Bulldogs inside their own 20 
- Caden Beck earns a new career-high with his 50-yd field goal in second quarter

SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS – Selected to finish second in the SoCon preseason poll, Samford posts a 3-4 overall record with a 2-3 record in Southern Conference play, with its two wins coming against ETSU and Wofford. Reigning SoCon Offensive Player of the Year Michael Hiers is currently leading the nation in passing, throwing for 2,059 yards. Hiers also ranks third nationally in completions per game (29.71) and fourth in both completion percentage (72.2) and passing yards per game (294.1). Chandler Smith is a weapon for the Bulldogs, ranking 10th nationally in punt returns (13.4), 10th in receptions per game (6.4) and 16th in receiving yards (509). Teams have been able to get pressure on Hiers and company, however, allowing 3.86 sacks per game.

THE SERIES – VMI and Samford have met just 10 times historically, with Samford holding a 7-3 edge. The Keydets have had more success recently, however, winning three straight before the two sides met last season in Birmingham. VMI would hold a 12-7 lead after the break but ultimately fell to the 10th-ranked Bulldogs 34-15 after five field goals from Jerry Rice.

FAMILY WEEKEND – Saturday will also be a part of VMI Family Weekend as the Institute welcomes family and friends to post.