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| Tevin Davis (46) makes a tackle during the first quarter of Saturday's game. (Ed Hooper | The VDT) |
It was the Blazers' second straight loss, which turned into four straight losses and eventually four straight GSC losses. It also ended the Wolves' five-game losing streak to VSU.
Everything went back to normal on Saturday in Carrollton. The Blazers dominated the Wolves, 42-7, ending a four-game conference losing streak, reclaiming the Peach Basket and proving who the best team in the state of Georgia, at the Division II level, truly is: Valdosta State.
It was over when: Valdosta State took a 28-0 lead with 10:58 remaining in the third quarter on a 6-yard run by Austin Scott. The touchdown capped off the Blazers' opening drive to the second half. Following Scott's second of three rushing TDs, the home crowd at University Stadium started to flock to the nearest exit. Valdosta State later added to its lead with two more touchdowns in the second half.
Game ball goes to: It is hard to give out just one game ball, but if we had to it, Austin Scott seems to have the edge. Scott finished with a career-high 132 yards and three rushing touchdowns. More importantly, Scott carried the rushing load after fellow freshman Cedric O'Neal left the game in the first quarter with a shoulder injury.
Some other notable performances: QB Cayden Cochran threw for 141 yards with two touchdowns and ran for 65 more yards. After dislocating his finger on the Blazers' opening drive to the second half, Cochran missed just a few plays before returning back to the field. Lance Holder intercepted two UWG passes to set up one Blazer touchdown. Holder recorded four tackles on the afternoon after his sat out last week's game with an injury.
Stat of the day: Between their 12 offensive possessions on the day, the Wolves were held to seven punts, including five-straight to begin the game, two interceptions, one turnover on downs and an expired half. West Georgia managed two impressive drives, a 13-play, 48-yard drive that ended in a punt and a 12-play, 67-yard drive that ended with their lone touchdown of the game, which came with 2:11 remaining.
Turning point: With Valdosta State leading 7-0 off a second quarter touchdown pass from Cochran to Gerald Ford, the Blazers scored on four straight offensive possessions between the end of the second and start of the third quarter to built a 35-0 lead.
Setting the tempo early: It took one whistle for the Valdosta State Blazers to set the tempo in Saturday's game. On the opening kickoff, the Blazers attempted on onside kick and recovered. The Blazer sideline erupted and the tempo to the football game set, although the Blazers did not score on their opening two possessions.
Running wild, again: 297. That is how many yards the Blazers racked up on the ground in Saturday's win. Led by redshirt freshman Austin Scott's career-high 132 yards and three touchdowns, Valdosta State continued its season of running. Quarterback Cayden Cochran rushed for 65 yards, Regginald Lewis finished with 32 yards. Five other players carried on the day, too.
