VSU Football faces a 'Do or Die' game Saturday at DSU

The Statesmen can put the defending champions’ repeat chances in jeopardy with a win on Homecoming Saturday at Parker Field-McCool Stadium.

Valdosta State (5-2, 3-2) makes its longest drive of the season to Cleveland, Miss. as they try to bounce back from a 57-7 catastrophe to North Alabama – a third in-conference loss makes a chance of a South Region playoff berth slender.

Depending on the result of the No. 20 West Alabama/UNA game, Delta State (5-2, 3-1) could take the top spot in Gulf South Conference standings if they can record its third straight win over a struggling Blazer team.

The last meeting at DSU in 2011 ended with VSU quarterback Cayden Cochran sprawled out after being sacked on a crucial fourth down play that squandered a potential comeback drive in the final seconds.

Cochran lands an opportunity to revitalize himself from last week’s tribulations, and is also aiming to earn his first career win at DSU.   

“It doesn’t matter who we play - we’re coming in here do or die,” Cochran said regarding the importance of the game. “It’s about going out and winning to make the playoffs. We only got one game left in our minds.”

The senior quarterback is still nursing a delicate right ankle injured a couple weeks ago. Nonetheless, he will start his eighth game of the season.  

Coach Dean maintained at practice this week that his team has recently lacked the intangibles needed to succeed.

“The only thing I encourage them to do is to go out and play. Play this game like they want to play it, it’s like playing in the side yard. Get out there and have fun,” Dean said.

Dean credits senior wide receiver Reggie Lewis as a shining example of the kind of intensity he is craving from the Blazers. 

It’s vital that the Blazers establish the running game that has elevated VSU to its prior wins.

UNA held VSU to a season-low 168 rushing yards last Saturday.

Similar to their previous opponents (UNA), the Statesmen operate a dual-quarterback system featuring junior starter Travis Champion and Tyler Sullivan.

Champion leads the Gulf South Conference in passing yards (1,628) and completion percentage (71.2)

“We’ve got to put pressure on the quarterbacks – that’s the thing we haven’t done in the last two games,” Dean said. “We get back there sometimes but don’t wrap up the quarterback. We got to play better pass defense. We’ve got to close the cushion.”

DSU’s defense is led by arguably the best pass rusher in the GSC, defensive end Diego Lubin.

The Statesmen are holding opponents to 32 points a game on average.

 “I told them we start the first round of the playoffs today. They know it so we don’t have to put a lot of emphasis on it,” Dean said.

Note: DSU leads 17-13-1 in all-time meetings. 

Conference foe North Alabama rout Valdosta State

Backup quarterback Kaleb Nobles stepped in for a second-straight week though it didn't matter as North Alabama (5-2) cruised to a 57-7 thrashing on No.11 Valdosta State (5-2) Saturday afternoon.

The defeat sets a new school record for the worst loss in VSU history topping the 45-0 loss to the Lions in 1985.

Nothing could go right for the Blazers.

A bevy of turnovers and constant hiccups on routine plays kept a modest but normally jubilant home crowd to a dull roar.

While the Lions executed using their one-two punch in sophomore quarterbacks Luke Wingo and Jacob Tucker, Blazer quarterback Cayden Cochran statistically played his worst game since transferring to VSU.

Head coach David Dean defended the incumbent, who was benched early in the fourth quarter when the game was ultimately out of reach.

“They weren't his fault,” Dean said about Cochran's career-high four interceptions. “He was playing very well. He put the ball where it needed to be. From a wide-out standpoint, we just weren't making the plays.”

UNA jumped on the scoreboard first following its second drive of the game.

The six-play scoring drive was set up by Wingo's 62-yard pass completion to wide receiver Cade Oliver.

UNA kicker Will Craig capped off the drive with a 20-yard field goal half-way through the first quarter.

The Blazers answered right before the second quarter when Cochran hooked up with wide receiver Chris Anderson for a 28-yard heave caught in the back of the end zone.

Anderson ended with a game-high nine catches.

Immediately responding, the Lions regained the lead three minutes into the second quarter and would never look back scoring 54 unanswered points.

Wingo found wide receiver Korey Jones for a 20-yard touchdown (missed one-point conversion).

Twelve minutes until halftime the Lions had a slim 9-7 advantage.

The Black Swarm allowed its second of seven touchdowns on UNA's next possession after a 3-yard scramble touchdown by Wingo.

With the score now 16-7, Craig knocked down his second of three field goals with seconds left in the first half (45-yard).

UNA led 19-7 at intermission.

VSU failed to adjust in the second half - never collecting enough offensive momentum to be effective.

A demoralizing fumble by Anderson on the Blazers' first drive was recovered by UNA defensive back Lamar Smith and returned down the sideline for a 83-yard touchdown.

On their next possession,Wingo and company marched down the field to set up Craig's 27-yard field goal.

UNA now had a commanding 29-7 lead.

VSU's ensuing drive once more resulted in a three-and-out.

Though the Blazers' front seven did a fair job containing the run-oriented Lions Saturday, the Black Swarm had no answer to subdue the opposing passing attack.

Wingo tallied 22 of his total 231 yards by connecting with wide receiver Lee Mayhall which placed running back Chris Coffey in position to burst through a gap on his way to a 37-yard touchdown.

The Blazers' trailed 36-7 entering the final quarter.

That lead was quickly extended to 44-7 on a Tucker quarterback sneak from five yards out.

Finally, coach Dean had seen enough and Nobles was summoned.

After Nobles' second unsuccessful drive, Tucker recorded his second of the game following a six-yard keeper.

Tucker and Wingo combined for a total 345 yards.

Backup UNA running back Diamond Simmons finished off the 'nail in the coffin' scoring drive on a 31-yard touchdown run with a few minutes left in regulation.

UNA forced five turnovers to VSU's zero.

Wallace improves his all-time record of 2-5 in seven regular season meetings against his good friend Dean.

“We don't come to Valdosta and this happen very often,” Wallace said. “[Valdosta State] is a great football team and that score is no indication of that. I don't take any pleasure in beating David. I'm just glad UNA won the game.”

Note: VSU linebacker Chris Pope finished with six tackles surpassing Jessie Tuggle for second on VSU's career tackle list. 37 meetings between VSU and UNA makes most played rivalry in school history.   

VSU Blazers to host rival North Alabama Saturday

Still elated from last week’s comeback rally yet the Blazers know they must execute early if they expect to tame the streaking Lions.

No. 11 VSU looks to build upon its 35-30 victory over West Georgia when they welcome conference foe, North Alabama, this Saturday.

This is the 37th all-time meeting between two of Division II’s more prestigious programs, combining for six national championships, 13 regional titles, and 15 Gulf South Conference titles.

Though this year’s Lions are not as talented as previous teams, the upcoming contest shouldn’t be anything less than the usual barn burner.

VSU squeezed out a 24-21 win over the Lions last season in Florence, Ala.

Incumbent quarterback Cayden Cochran will be the starter Saturday despite a tender right ankle which was aggravated during last game before backup Kaleb Nobles replaced him in a poised fashion.   

Cochran and company are up against the top scoring defense in the conference, holding their opponents to 17 points a game on average. 

The Lions defense returns nine starters from last season and is led by GSC tackle leader and Defensive Player of the Week, Tavarius Wilson.

Bobby Wallace is 1-5 in six meetings against David Dean (twitter.com)

On the other side of the ball, Blazer wide receiver Willie Downs was confirmed as ‘probable’ for Saturday after missing last week - he likely won’t be fully-healthy nonetheless his presence itself will spread out the field more in a favorable way for VSU.   

UNA quarterback Luke Wingo has been efficient in six games after winning the starting job this past spring.

The sophomore has rushed for seven touchdowns and thrown seven along with only two interceptions for 878 passing yards.

Regardless of losing, during the last meeting Wingo had a sound game as a freshman finishing with 221 yards (17-31). 

Dissecting the Black Swarm however will be his greatest challenge this season.

“We got to get our minds right here at practice and get excited,” linebacker Chris Pope, who is three tackles shy of Jessie Tuggle for second on career all-time tackles list, said. “I feel like that’s us this year. Last year we weren’t a big excited team, we play off emotion this year. When emotions run high that’s when we play well. It starts at practice then carries over to the game.”    

 UNA is led by Hall of Fame coach Bobby Wallace, who returned as head coach in 2012 (1988-1997), making his first visit back to Bazemore-Hyder Stadium with the Lions in nearly two decades this weekend.

Wallace is responsible for establishing UNA as one of the nation’s best as well as restoring West Alabama’s program during his tenure there (2006-2010) with a Division I stint at Temple in between.

“He’s a guy I respect tremendously,” Dean said. “We’re very good friends. We talk in the offseason quite a bit. He’s had a tremendous amount of success everywhere he’s gone. It’s been a long time since he’s been down here in Valdosta. It will be good to see him.”

 Dean leads 5-1 in six meetings between the two accomplished head coaches.

Kick-off is set for 2 p.m.

Note: UNA leads VSU 20-15-1 in all-time meetings. VSU’s Chris Pope is 21 tackles shy of tying Minnesota Vikings linebacker Larry Dean for No.1 on all-time career tackles. Saturday marks the annual Zeta Tau Alpha Pink Out game.

Ex-Albany State star April Thomas transfers to VSU

Last time April Thomas took the floor under the beamy P.E. Complex lights, she stunned spectators by dropping 27 points during a sensational performance that grabbed the attention of many, especially her new team.

The former Albany State star made an unforeseen decision this past summer to transfer to rival South Region school, Valdosta State, which continues to be both equally supported and chastised.

The Bainbridge native says that her fondness for red and black didn't happen overnight, in fact, her bottled yearning for VSU has been alive since as long as she can remember. 

April Thomas says even as a Ram she deep down always wanted to be a Blazer. (VSU Athletics)

'AP' as her friends call her, credits that love and the chance of national exposure the main reasoning behind her departure.

 “Honestly I've just always wanted to come here after high school,” the All-SIAC selectee said. “[VSU] was that school that really had my attention and theres a lot of great players here. I'm just happy to be a part of a team with so much talent.”

The daughter of Sharlyn Smith and Lawrence Thomas, began assembling her arsenal on a dilapidated, cracked basketball court outside of her grandmother's house at six years old. 

Older cousins and friends were her first naysayers; they pronounced her too small to be a helpful teammate.

She normally found herself not being picked before pick-up games; this is when she developed the chip on her shoulder that inflames her today.

Thomas began playing basketball competitively in the sixth grade at West Bainbridge Middle School.

She has started every game since.

Basketball wasn't the only game that she could display her elusive quickness and speed.

After arriving at Bainbridge High School, she soon found fulfillment testing her limits and participated  in cross country, field and track, softball and soccer.

The juggling required to balance playing four sports while excelling in school became second nature to her.

Thomas, once a starting center-fielder for BHS, was a major contributor on the softball team tying a school record for 15 wins.

The 2010-2011 BHS female senior athlete of the year also led the Lady Cats basketball team to a 21-7 record and a Region 1-AAAA Sub-Region championship.

VSU did recruit Thomas, however, didn't feel that a player of her 5'1 stature would be
versatile enough to earn a scholarship. 

The time came for Thomas to make a choice where she would be suiting up next: she chose ASU over Fort Valley, Savannah State, and FAMU.

ASU head coach Robert Skinner is busy trying to refresh his squad for this upcoming season after the crucial loss.

He claims Thomas was the purest scorer he's had under his 23 year tenure.

Thomas admits her and Skinner's relationship still is cordial but undeniably altered.

“I have no doubt in my mind that he's upset about the situation,” the junior transfer said. “We still have a strong relationship. I talked to him when he came over here when they played us in volleyball. He hugged me and everything. We had a nice conversation.” 

Skinner's heart is one of many broken following her startling decision.

“I was really upset with myself for hurting him like that then, on top of that, having these other people like 'why are you leaving?' or 'what's so different from here and over there?',” Thomas said. “The only person that knows what's going to happen is God. My dad always told me before you make a decision, pray to him because he won't lead you down the wrong path.”

Returning Blazer starting guard Kourtnee Williams originally introduced Thomas to her former coach Skinner.

The two sparked an instant friendship in high school after competing against each other in an All-Star game together.

Now reconnecting with her pal in the backcourt, Thomas arrives to VSU truly qualified for her new mission. 

Her freshman year at ASU she garnered the SIAC Freshman of the Year honors averaging 18.5 points a game.

Also, that season she was the only freshman named to the Daktronics All-South Region team.

Thomas finished fifth in the nation in scoring last season (20.2) which heightened her buzz, echoing her name in talks regarding the nation's best.

VSU women's basketball head coach Kiley Hill couldn't help but crack a smile when he got a phone call from Thomas out of the blue this past summer.

“I was very surprised they released her,” Hill said of ASU allowing Thomas to transfer without penalty.
“She has a heart of lion. Her work ethic is incredible and she is a major competitor. With a personality like that, it's good for the culture, that's why we wanted to embrace her.”

 Both of Thomas' seasons as a Ram concluded in the same fashion: being bounced out the quarterfinals of the conference tournament.

The Lady Blazers hope their newly added play maker was the missing remedy to cure them from their own recent postseason queasiness.

VSU fell short last season falling in the Division II Sweet Sixteen game. 

Hill has twiddled his thumbs, trying to conjure up the best ways to defend Thomas; now he's thrilled to coach someone who garners such talent.

The same mind-boggling talent that he once struggled to suppress.

Blazers torch Panthers on Homecoming Night

Florida Tech (1-4) had no answer for No.1 Valdosta State (4-0) Saturday afternoon at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium.

VSU running back Cedric O'Neal dodges defenders during Saturday's matchup. O'Neal finished with  97 yards and a touchdown.

The Gulf South Conference associate members couldn't spoil Homecoming Night losing 52-14 in their first-ever meeting against the defending national champions.

As expected, the Blazers quickly got on the scoreboard less than two minutes after kick-off following a Willie Downs 62-yard punt return touchdown.

VSU regained possession when the Black Swarm forced the Panthers to one of many three and outs on their ensuing drive.

The next drive took six plays before kicker Anthony Pistelli capped it off with a 42-yard field goal.

Despite the 10-0 lead, quarterback Cayden Cochran failed to get in a comfortable rhythm early on. 

Cochran was sacked four times and repeatedly under pressure in the first quarter (FIT came into Saturday's game with two sacks total this season).

“I think our offense lost a little focus and that's really disappointing,” head coach David Dean said. “On the flip side, I'm proud the way they came out in the second half, staying consistent on second/third and longs by doing that we were able to move the ball.”

Miscommunication between Cochran and his receiving core fueled the early frustration.

The Blazers' defense made up for the offensive hiccups scoring two of VSU's three touchdowns in the first half.

Defensive end Tevin Davis recorded the first defensive touchdown when he returned a 56-yard fumble recovery early in the second quarter.

FIT managed to keep VSU's offensive effectiveness to a minimum in the first half. Receivers Downs and Seantavious Jones were held catchless.

The Panthers tallied five sacks and roughly eight hits before halftime holding the Blazers' to a low eight rushing yards.

VSU led 17-0 at halftime. 

The Blazers' only had 71 total yards at intermission (averaged 216 yards in the first half going into Saturday's matchup).

After a few adjustments, FIT couldn't contain the Blazers in the second half.

VSU accounted for 278 total offensive in the third quarter including running back Austin Scott's 16-yard touchdown run five minutes after intermission.

Scott recorded 105 of the Blazers' 214 rushing yards in the third quarter.

Five minutes later, Cedric O'Neal broke free for a 63-yard touchdown run which gave VSU a 31-0 lead.

The Panthers finally responded when FIT backup quarterback Dan Masteller found receiver Aaron George for a 13-yard touchdown pass (VSU first touchdown allowed in prior 169 minutes).

The end of the third quarter was highlighted by Scott finding the end zone yet again for a 72-yard run (longest of his career) and linebacker Jeremy Grable return a 27-yard interception touchdown.

Freshman third string Blazer running back Nick Davis earned his first touchdown of his career in the fourth quarter.

The Panthers would score one more touchdown before the final buzzard in the final minutes.

VSU gets into the heart of their schedule next week facing No. 16 West Alabama on the road.

“I respect them very much,” linebacker Jeremy Grable said. “They probably give us our strongest fight every year.”

Notes: GSC leading receiver FIT's Xavier Milton was held to three catches for 26 yards. Attendance 7, 612. 

VSU ready for Homecoming game

Florida Tech (1-3) is looking to avoid its third straight Gulf South Conference loss when they compete against No.1 Valdosta State (3-0) Saturday at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium.

The Blazers conclude their four-game home stand playing their first ever meeting between the newly added associate GSC members.  

This marks the inaugural season for the Panthers which is been frustrating due to the rough start surrounded by injuries.

FIT quarterback Bobby Vega will make his second start of the season with normal starter Sean Ashley still recovering from a shoulder injury.

Despite throwing for 332 yards and a touchdown, the senior recorded two interceptions in last week’s 52-31 loss to Delta State.

“Florida Tech throws the ball a good amount and that’s what they do best, but hopefully we’re going to put pressure on the quarterback. It would be good to see our defensive ends get up field and get some sacks,” head coach David Dean said.

Nevertheless, preventing the Blazers from scoring should be more of a task for FIT than the Panthers’ offensive effectiveness.

With Blazer cornerback Dominique Wheeler coming off an award winning week, (assuming they matchup) it will be interesting to see how well the senior can contain GSC leading and FIT receiver Xavier Milton.  

FIT’s defensive injuries are crucial setbacks that make their chances of victory slimmer than before.

VSU is currently the second highest scoring offense in the GSC and the Panthers are giving up an average 36 points a game.

Cochran and Downs have yet to face a team to slow down the dangerous duo. Downs already has compiled 291 receiving yards and three touchdowns.  

VSU gets into the heart of its schedule next week starting with the first road game against 2012 Gulf South Conference champs West Alabama.

Kick-off is set of 3 p.m. on Saturday.