VALDOSTA — When the Valdosta State Blazers take the field Saturday night in their home opener against Fort Valley State, they will be looking to end a four-game losing streak, VSU’s first since the end of the 1990 season. They’ll also be without some key weapons.
Quarterback Cayden Cochran and senior linebacker Chas Matthews will both miss Saturday’s game due to separated shoulders, according to Dean.
“Cayden and Chas will both be out this week,” he said. “They will not be able to play. I think Cayden is getting better, but he is not going to be ready. Hopefully, we are going to get him back for the Angelo State game.”
Matthews and Cochran are the only players expected to miss Saturday’s game due to injury, other than cornerback Greg Reid, who will miss the entire season. Cornerback Alex Webster and linebacker Trokon Gaye will also miss Saturday’s game as both continue to serve two-game suspensions.
Sophomore Graham Craig will start in the absence of Cochran. Craig played the entire second half in Saturday’s loss to Saginaw Valley State, after it was determined that Cochran was unable to play. Craig completed 12 of 19 passes for 183 yards and a touchdown.
“We have three or four really good quarterbacks,” Dean said. “I felt really good about Graham going into the ball game. As you can see, we didn’t change our game plan. He does the things that Cayden does very well, it’s just one is a lefty and one is a righty. I feel comfortable with (Graham) this week. He had a good day. He is a smart kid, he understands what we are trying to do and he understands our system. I mean, you’d like to have your starter, but if you don’t have your starter, he is a good one to have.”
Cochran suffered his separated shoulder when diving into the end zone on a quarterback keeper, the Blazers' first score of the season. He attempted to play with the injury, but later fumbled and was pulled from the game. He completed 8 of 16 passes before being pulled.
Cochran, and Matthews, was seen in a sling at Tuesday's practice.
The Blazers will receive the addition of wide receiver Griffin Roelle back into the lineup, pending no major setbacks this week at practice. Roelle missed the season opener with a quad injury.
