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| Quarterback Cayden Cochran passes during Thursday's game. (Ed Hooper | The Valdosta Daily Times) |
The Blazers will still have plenty to cheer for Saturday night, though.
If rival Delta State (3-4) can knock off Gulf South Conference leader West Alabama (6-2) in Cleveland, Miss. it would earn the Blazers a share of the conference championship. The Blazers finished their GSC schedule with a 5-1 record.
The Blazers could win the outright conference championship with a Delta State victory over West Alabama and a UWA loss to North Alabama in two weeks.
Valdosta State split the conference championship with Delta State and Henderson State in 2010. VSU hosts Texas A&M-Kingsville in non-conference action Thursday night at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium.
Looking back at Shorter
It was over when: Valdosta State took a 17-0 first quarter lead off a 17-yard fumble recovery by cornerback Dominque Wheeler. The Blazers added a score in the second quarter and two more in the third to cruise to the 37-6 win.
Behind the line: The Valdosta State defense recorded six tackles for a loss in Thursday night's game, including two by linebacker Ryan Smith, both of which were sacks.
Scooping up the loose ball: The Blazer defense recovered three fumbles in Thursday's win, all which led to VSU touchdowns. Dominque Wheeler recovered the first quarter fumble forced by sophomore linebacker Justin Williams; Ryan Smith recovered a second quarter fumble forced by defensive end Tevin Davis and defensive tackle Lawrence Virgil recovered a fumbled snap by the Shorter quarterback in the third quarter. Safety Chris Caspari also had an interception late in the fourth quarter.
Stat of the day: Quarterback Cayden Cochran completed 20 of 23 passes for 212 yards with two touchdowns in Thursday's game. He also ran for 15 yards and a rushing touchdown to lead the Blazer offense, which racked up 355 yards of total offense.
Scott still not healthy; O'Neal carrying the load: After suffering a sprained ankle in the Blazers' 24-21 win over rival North Alabama earlier this month, freshman running back Austin Scott has totaled four carries for three yards. Scott did not play in VSU's win over Delta State a week ago and was given just four carries Thursday night. Instead, true freshman Cedric O'Neal has carried the load. O'Neal has rushed for 256 yards with three touchdowns in VSU's last two games.
GSC struggles for Shorter: In their first three Gulf South Conference games, the Shorter Hawks have been outscored 127-13. The Hawks close out their first GSC season with games against West Georgia and Delta State.
Up next: The Blazers host Texas A&M-Kingsville at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium Thursday night. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. and will be televised as the Gulf South Conference Game of the Week.
