VALDOSTA — The Valdosta State Blazers rolled to a 58-10 win over the Edward Waters Tigers Saturday night. The Blazers racked up a school-record seven rushing touchdowns and 535 total yards of offense in the win. VSU is now 3-2 on the year and faces West Georgia next weekend.
David Dean interview
Cayden Cochran postgame interview
Austin Scott postgame interview
Blazer Sports Beat will have more on the Blazers' victory Sunday afternoon.
-Follow me on Twitter at @Ed_Hooper.
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
2012-13 basketball schedules released
VALDOSTA — College basketball season is quickly approaching, and on Wednesday the Valdosta State basketball schedules were released for the coming season.
Both the Lady Blazers and Blazers open their seasons Nov. 10 at home. The Lady Blazers get the action started at 6 p.m. against Trinity Baptist. The Blazers conclude the night with a game against Point (Ga.) University at 8 p.m.
Both teams have ample home games this season. The Lady Blazers, who reached the Sweet 16 last year, will be at home 14 times and the Blazers, who finished with an 11-16 record last year, will play in the P.E. Complex 16 times.
Both teams open Gulf South Conference play Nov. 29 at Union University. For all GSC matchups, the women's game will be played prior to the start of men's game at the same location.
Following the season opener Nov. 10, the Blazers will host the VSU Classic Nov. 16-17 at the P.E. Complex. The Blazers will face Carver and Florida Memorial in the Classic.The Lady Blazers will visit Fort Valley State Nov. 16 in a rematch of last year's South Region Tournament game, which the Lady Blazers won. VSU visits Georgia Southwestern Nov. 17 before returning home Nov. 20 to face Albany State.
The men conclude their five-game homestand to begin the season with games against Albany State (Nov. 20) and Lynn (Nov. 24). The Blazers' first road game will be at Union University Nov. 29 to open conference play. Both teams Blazers will face North Alabama Dec. 1 before returning home Dec. 4 to face Fort Valley State.
The Lady Blazers will also welcome Eckerd to the P.E. Complex Dec. 14 and Saint Leo on Dec. 19, and will visit Albany State on Dec. 29.
Both Valdosta State teams hold their conference home openers Jan. 3 against rival Alabama-Huntsville. VSU will also face newcomer Shorter during that homestand (Jan. 5).
Valdosta State will then visit West Georgia, West Alabama and West Florida across a 9-day period, all of which will come on the road. All three teams will visit the P.E. Complex later in the season.
The Jan. 26 home games against Delta State (men and women) are scheduled for a noon tip-off (women's) and 2 p.m. (men's). The game's will be carried live on the CBS College Sports Network as part of the Division II Game of the Week.
The Lady Blazers and Blazers conclude regular season play March 3 at Delta State. The conference tournament, for both teams, begins March 7 in Birmingham, Ala.
Complete 2012-12 basketball schedules
Sat., Nov. 10 — vs. Trinity Baptist (6 p.m., women)
Sat., Nov. 10 — vs. Point (8 p.m., men)
Thu., Nov. 15 — at Fort Valley State (7 p.m., women)
VSU CLASSIC (Nov. 16-17)
Fri., Nov. 16 — vs. Carver (8 p.m., men)
Sat., Nov. 17 — vs. Florida Memorial (8 p.m., men)
Sat., Nov. 17 — at Georgia Southwestern (5:30 p.m, women)
Tue., Nov. 20 — vs. Albany State (6 & 8 p.m.)
Sat., Nov. 24 — vs. Lynn (4 p.m.)
Thu., Nov. 29 — at Union (7 & 9 p.m.)*
Sat., Dec. 1 — at North Alabama (2 & 4 p.m.)*
Tue. Dec. 4 — vs. Fort Valley State (3 & 5 p.m.)
Tue., Dec. 11 – at Fort Valley State (7 p.m.)
Fri., Dec. 14 — vs. Eckerd (7 p.m., women)
Sat., Dec. 15 — vs. Saint Leo (7 p.m., women)
Tue., Dec. 18 — vs. Coastal Georgia (7 p.m.)
Sat., Dec. 29 — at Albany State (7 p.m., women)
Thu., Jan. 3 — vs. Alabama-Huntsville (6 & 8 p.m.)*
Sat., Jan. 5 — vs. Shorter (2 & 4 p.m.)*
Thu., Jan. 10 — at West Georgia (5:30 & 7:30 p.m.)*
Sat., Jan. 12 — at West Alabama (2 & 4 p.m.)*
Sat., Jan. 19 — at West Florida (3 & 5 p.m.)*
Thu., Jan. 24 — vs. Christian Brothers (6 & 8 p.m.)*
Sat., Jan. 26 — vs. Delta State (Noon & 2 p.m.)*
Thu., Jan. 31 — vs. Union (6 & 8 p.m.)*
Sat. Feb. 2 — vs. North Alabama (6 & 8 p.m.)*
Thu., Feb. 7 — at Alabama-Huntsville (6:30 & 8:30 p.m.)*
Sat., Feb. 9 — at Shorter (2 & 4 p.m.)*
Thu., Feb. 14 — vs. West Georgia (6 & 8 p.m.)*
Sat., Feb. 16 — vs. West Alabama (6 & 8 p.m.)*
Sat., Feb. 23 — vs. West Florida (2 & 4 p.m.)*
Thu., Feb. 28 — at Christian Brothers (6 & 8 p.m.)*
Sat., March 2 — at Delta State (3 & 5 p.m.)*
GULF SOUTH CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT
Thu., March 7 — GSC Opening Round (Birmingham, Ala.)*
*Denotes Gulf South Conference game
-Follow me on Twitter at @Ed_Hooper.
Both the Lady Blazers and Blazers open their seasons Nov. 10 at home. The Lady Blazers get the action started at 6 p.m. against Trinity Baptist. The Blazers conclude the night with a game against Point (Ga.) University at 8 p.m.Both teams have ample home games this season. The Lady Blazers, who reached the Sweet 16 last year, will be at home 14 times and the Blazers, who finished with an 11-16 record last year, will play in the P.E. Complex 16 times.
Both teams open Gulf South Conference play Nov. 29 at Union University. For all GSC matchups, the women's game will be played prior to the start of men's game at the same location.
Following the season opener Nov. 10, the Blazers will host the VSU Classic Nov. 16-17 at the P.E. Complex. The Blazers will face Carver and Florida Memorial in the Classic.The Lady Blazers will visit Fort Valley State Nov. 16 in a rematch of last year's South Region Tournament game, which the Lady Blazers won. VSU visits Georgia Southwestern Nov. 17 before returning home Nov. 20 to face Albany State.
The men conclude their five-game homestand to begin the season with games against Albany State (Nov. 20) and Lynn (Nov. 24). The Blazers' first road game will be at Union University Nov. 29 to open conference play. Both teams Blazers will face North Alabama Dec. 1 before returning home Dec. 4 to face Fort Valley State.
The Lady Blazers will also welcome Eckerd to the P.E. Complex Dec. 14 and Saint Leo on Dec. 19, and will visit Albany State on Dec. 29.
Both Valdosta State teams hold their conference home openers Jan. 3 against rival Alabama-Huntsville. VSU will also face newcomer Shorter during that homestand (Jan. 5).
Valdosta State will then visit West Georgia, West Alabama and West Florida across a 9-day period, all of which will come on the road. All three teams will visit the P.E. Complex later in the season.
The Jan. 26 home games against Delta State (men and women) are scheduled for a noon tip-off (women's) and 2 p.m. (men's). The game's will be carried live on the CBS College Sports Network as part of the Division II Game of the Week.
The Lady Blazers and Blazers conclude regular season play March 3 at Delta State. The conference tournament, for both teams, begins March 7 in Birmingham, Ala.
Complete 2012-12 basketball schedules
Sat., Nov. 10 — vs. Trinity Baptist (6 p.m., women)
Sat., Nov. 10 — vs. Point (8 p.m., men)
Thu., Nov. 15 — at Fort Valley State (7 p.m., women)
VSU CLASSIC (Nov. 16-17)
Fri., Nov. 16 — vs. Carver (8 p.m., men)
Sat., Nov. 17 — vs. Florida Memorial (8 p.m., men)
Sat., Nov. 17 — at Georgia Southwestern (5:30 p.m, women)
Tue., Nov. 20 — vs. Albany State (6 & 8 p.m.)
Sat., Nov. 24 — vs. Lynn (4 p.m.)
Thu., Nov. 29 — at Union (7 & 9 p.m.)*
Sat., Dec. 1 — at North Alabama (2 & 4 p.m.)*
Tue. Dec. 4 — vs. Fort Valley State (3 & 5 p.m.)
Tue., Dec. 11 – at Fort Valley State (7 p.m.)
Fri., Dec. 14 — vs. Eckerd (7 p.m., women)
Sat., Dec. 15 — vs. Saint Leo (7 p.m., women)
Tue., Dec. 18 — vs. Coastal Georgia (7 p.m.)
Sat., Dec. 29 — at Albany State (7 p.m., women)
Thu., Jan. 3 — vs. Alabama-Huntsville (6 & 8 p.m.)*
Sat., Jan. 5 — vs. Shorter (2 & 4 p.m.)*
Thu., Jan. 10 — at West Georgia (5:30 & 7:30 p.m.)*
Sat., Jan. 12 — at West Alabama (2 & 4 p.m.)*
Sat., Jan. 19 — at West Florida (3 & 5 p.m.)*
Thu., Jan. 24 — vs. Christian Brothers (6 & 8 p.m.)*
Sat., Jan. 26 — vs. Delta State (Noon & 2 p.m.)*
Thu., Jan. 31 — vs. Union (6 & 8 p.m.)*
Sat. Feb. 2 — vs. North Alabama (6 & 8 p.m.)*
Thu., Feb. 7 — at Alabama-Huntsville (6:30 & 8:30 p.m.)*
Sat., Feb. 9 — at Shorter (2 & 4 p.m.)*
Thu., Feb. 14 — vs. West Georgia (6 & 8 p.m.)*
Sat., Feb. 16 — vs. West Alabama (6 & 8 p.m.)*
Sat., Feb. 23 — vs. West Florida (2 & 4 p.m.)*
Thu., Feb. 28 — at Christian Brothers (6 & 8 p.m.)*
Sat., March 2 — at Delta State (3 & 5 p.m.)*
GULF SOUTH CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT
Thu., March 7 — GSC Opening Round (Birmingham, Ala.)*
*Denotes Gulf South Conference game
-Follow me on Twitter at @Ed_Hooper.
Injury update
VALDOSTA — Saturday's 39-28 loss to West Alabama was one of the most physical games of the season for the Valdosta State Blazers. As a result, several players were seen nursing injuries at Tuesday's practice. Below are players, with injuries and the status for Saturday, per head coach David Dean.
QB — Cayden Cochran (shoulder, will start)
WR — Gerald Ford (knee, questionable)
WR — Quin Roberson (knee, probable)
LB — Jeremy Grable (sternum, out)
DL — O'Neil Cohen (broken bone in foot, out indefinitely)
WR — Griffin Roelle (hamstring, status unknown)
Dean also said several other players are nursing minor injuries but would not give specific players or injuries. Dean said all other players will play Saturday against Edward Waters.
-Follow me on Twitter at @Ed_Hooper.
QB — Cayden Cochran (shoulder, will start)
WR — Gerald Ford (knee, questionable)
WR — Quin Roberson (knee, probable)
LB — Jeremy Grable (sternum, out)
DL — O'Neil Cohen (broken bone in foot, out indefinitely)
WR — Griffin Roelle (hamstring, status unknown)
Dean also said several other players are nursing minor injuries but would not give specific players or injuries. Dean said all other players will play Saturday against Edward Waters.
-Follow me on Twitter at @Ed_Hooper.
Events surrounding Saturday's VSU-Edward Waters game
VALDOSTA — Saturday's football game between Valdosta State and Edward Waters,
slated for a 7:00 p.m. kickoff at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium, will provide
fans with an opportunity to come away with a host of free prizes while
also recognizing various groups in our community.
Zeta Tau Alpha sorority and Southern OB/GYN will be hosting their annual Pink Out game working together to stomp out breast cancer, The VSU promo team will be giving out pink t-shirts and pink footballs while they last. So come out and wear pink and be part of the team to end breast cancer!
Saturday is also Military Appreciation Night with all active military personnel and dependents receiving free admission. Moody Air Force Base Commander, Colonel Billy Thompson, will be on hand for the pregame coin toss and all active duty military as well as former military members will be recognized during the game.
It will also be Ladies Night at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium! Local boutiques will be on site with free samples, coupons and giveaways. Make sure to stop by and see Azalea Center for Plastic Surgery, Stella & Dot, Only Options, Steel's Jewelry, Klutch, 109 Central, The Vixen Boutique, The Boutique at City Market, Chey What, Costume Jewelry, and BCB to see what they have to offer!
Mediacom will be hosting a special night at the game as well. Stop by the Blazer Fan Center inside the gate to see how you can win great prizes and t-shirts from MediaCom Cable.
VSU, Second Harvest and Kentucky Fried Chicken are teaming up to end hunger in the Lowndes County Area. Donate 3 canned goods and receive a free ticket to the game, this Saturday- sponsored by KFC and Second Harvest Food Bank.
Zeta Tau Alpha sorority and Southern OB/GYN will be hosting their annual Pink Out game working together to stomp out breast cancer, The VSU promo team will be giving out pink t-shirts and pink footballs while they last. So come out and wear pink and be part of the team to end breast cancer!
Saturday is also Military Appreciation Night with all active military personnel and dependents receiving free admission. Moody Air Force Base Commander, Colonel Billy Thompson, will be on hand for the pregame coin toss and all active duty military as well as former military members will be recognized during the game.
It will also be Ladies Night at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium! Local boutiques will be on site with free samples, coupons and giveaways. Make sure to stop by and see Azalea Center for Plastic Surgery, Stella & Dot, Only Options, Steel's Jewelry, Klutch, 109 Central, The Vixen Boutique, The Boutique at City Market, Chey What, Costume Jewelry, and BCB to see what they have to offer!
Mediacom will be hosting a special night at the game as well. Stop by the Blazer Fan Center inside the gate to see how you can win great prizes and t-shirts from MediaCom Cable.
VSU, Second Harvest and Kentucky Fried Chicken are teaming up to end hunger in the Lowndes County Area. Donate 3 canned goods and receive a free ticket to the game, this Saturday- sponsored by KFC and Second Harvest Food Bank.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Getting to know: Edward Waters
VALDOSTA — Saturday, the Valdosta State football team will host the Edward Waters College Tigers at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium for a 7 p.m. kickoff.
The Tigers are an NAIA team that competes as an independent. Based out of Jacksonville, Fla., Edward Waters has 2-2 this season with wins over Point (Ga.) and Livingstone College. The Tigers lost to Lane College and Morehouse College.
In their two wins, the Tigers outscored their opponents 108-70, including a 66-34 win over Point University (Ga.) to begin the season. In their two losses, the Tigers are being outscored 84-46.
The Blazers and Tigers have met just once. The Blazers earned a commanding 70-6 win over the Tigers in 2009. Edward Waters finished the year 0-11.
Offensively, Edward Waters is a primary based rushing attack. Through their first four games, the Tigers are averaging 251.8 yards on the ground and just 115 through the air. Running back Phillip Teamer leads the team with 377 rushing yards this season, although Ralph Shuler leads the team with five rushing touchdowns.
Defensively, the Tigers are allowing 402 yards of offense and have allowed 13 rushing touchdowns and nine passing.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Saturday at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium.
-Follow me on Twitter at @Ed_Hooper or www.twitter.com/Ed_Hooper.
The Tigers are an NAIA team that competes as an independent. Based out of Jacksonville, Fla., Edward Waters has 2-2 this season with wins over Point (Ga.) and Livingstone College. The Tigers lost to Lane College and Morehouse College.In their two wins, the Tigers outscored their opponents 108-70, including a 66-34 win over Point University (Ga.) to begin the season. In their two losses, the Tigers are being outscored 84-46.
The Blazers and Tigers have met just once. The Blazers earned a commanding 70-6 win over the Tigers in 2009. Edward Waters finished the year 0-11.
Offensively, Edward Waters is a primary based rushing attack. Through their first four games, the Tigers are averaging 251.8 yards on the ground and just 115 through the air. Running back Phillip Teamer leads the team with 377 rushing yards this season, although Ralph Shuler leads the team with five rushing touchdowns.
Defensively, the Tigers are allowing 402 yards of offense and have allowed 13 rushing touchdowns and nine passing.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Saturday at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium.
-Follow me on Twitter at @Ed_Hooper or www.twitter.com/Ed_Hooper.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Blazers drop out of top 25 poll
VALDOSTA — For the first time this season, the Valdosta State football team is no longer ranked inside the American Football Coaches' Association Top 25.
The Blazers fell out of the top 25 after dropping to 2-2 on the season following a 39-28 loss to West Alabama to open Gulf South Conference play on Saturday.
Pittsburg State (Kan.) remains the top-ranked team in Division II with a 4-0 record. Minnesota-Duluth, Colorado State-Pueblo, Grand Valley State (Mich.) and Winston Salem State (N.C.) round out the top five.
The Blazers were one of three teams (Colorado School of Mines, Abilene Christian)to drop out of the top 25 this week.
Valdosta State returns to action Saturday when Edward Waters visits Bazemore-Hyder Stadium for a 7 p.m. non-conference kickoff.
-Follow me on Twitter at @Ed_Hooper or www.twitter.com/ed_hooper.
 | ||
| Valdosta State quarterback Cayden Cochran. (Ed Hooper | The VDT) |
The Blazers fell out of the top 25 after dropping to 2-2 on the season following a 39-28 loss to West Alabama to open Gulf South Conference play on Saturday.
Pittsburg State (Kan.) remains the top-ranked team in Division II with a 4-0 record. Minnesota-Duluth, Colorado State-Pueblo, Grand Valley State (Mich.) and Winston Salem State (N.C.) round out the top five.
The Blazers were one of three teams (Colorado School of Mines, Abilene Christian)to drop out of the top 25 this week.
Valdosta State returns to action Saturday when Edward Waters visits Bazemore-Hyder Stadium for a 7 p.m. non-conference kickoff.
-Follow me on Twitter at @Ed_Hooper or www.twitter.com/ed_hooper.
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Valdosta State-West Alabama by the numbers
VALDOSTA — West Alabama's 39-28 win over Valdosta State Saturday night at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium was just the program's third-ever win over the Blazers and first in Valdosta. Here, Blazer Sports Beat breaks down Saturday's game by the numbers.
Ford nearing top 10 in TD receptions
With his two touchdown catches on Saturday, Gerald Ford hauled in his sixth and seventh TD receptions of the season. Ford is just four touchdown catches away from breaking into the school's top 10 list for touchdown receptions in a single season. Currently, Mike Bowman is in 10th on the all-time TD list in a single season with 11, a mark he accomplished in 1997. The school-record for touchdown catches in a season is 21, set by Robert Williams in 1994. Stanley Flanders is in second with 20 touchdown catches, which he also accomplished in the 1994 season with Chris Hatcher as the Blazers' quarterback.
Two QBs again
Saturday night, both quarterbacks Cayden Cochran and Graham Craig saw action due to Cochran leaving the game due to shoulder tenderness. Did you know: Since the start of the 2009 season, Valdosta State has played multiple quarterbacks in a game 22 times out of 35 games played.
Fumble recovery for TD
Tyler Josey's third quarter fumble recovery for Valdosta State was the Blazers' first since 2007 when Melvin Black recovered a fumble for a TD against Fort Valley State. It was a span of 58 games.
Smith kicks four FGs
West Alabama kicker Ryne Smith became the first opposing kicker to make four field goals in a game against Valdosta State since Oct. 17, 1998, a span of 162 games.
Yellow flags all over
Valdosta State committed 13 penalties for 124 yards Saturday, the majority of which were holding or unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. West Alabama committed 12 penalties for 69 yards, including an offside penalty on the opening kickoff that overturned a recovered fumble.
Blazers run for season-low in yards
Valdosta State rushed for a season-low 133 yards in Saturday's loss. VSU had eclipsed the 200-yard rushing mark in the previous two games. In the season opening loss to Saginaw Valley State, the Blazers rushed for 144 yards.
Around the Gulf South Conference
In other GSC action from Saturday, Delta State defeated North Alabama, 20-12, in Cleveland, Miss. Shorter dropped its home opener to Division I-FCS opponent Charleston Southern, 23-20. West Georgia was idle.
Up next
Valdosta State hosts NAIA opponent Edward Waters next Saturday at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium for a 7 p.m. kickoff. West Alabama hosts West Georgia.
— Follow me on Twitter at @Ed_Hooper for more Valdosta State sports news.
Ford nearing top 10 in TD receptions
With his two touchdown catches on Saturday, Gerald Ford hauled in his sixth and seventh TD receptions of the season. Ford is just four touchdown catches away from breaking into the school's top 10 list for touchdown receptions in a single season. Currently, Mike Bowman is in 10th on the all-time TD list in a single season with 11, a mark he accomplished in 1997. The school-record for touchdown catches in a season is 21, set by Robert Williams in 1994. Stanley Flanders is in second with 20 touchdown catches, which he also accomplished in the 1994 season with Chris Hatcher as the Blazers' quarterback.
Two QBs again
Saturday night, both quarterbacks Cayden Cochran and Graham Craig saw action due to Cochran leaving the game due to shoulder tenderness. Did you know: Since the start of the 2009 season, Valdosta State has played multiple quarterbacks in a game 22 times out of 35 games played.
Fumble recovery for TD
Tyler Josey's third quarter fumble recovery for Valdosta State was the Blazers' first since 2007 when Melvin Black recovered a fumble for a TD against Fort Valley State. It was a span of 58 games.
Smith kicks four FGs
West Alabama kicker Ryne Smith became the first opposing kicker to make four field goals in a game against Valdosta State since Oct. 17, 1998, a span of 162 games.
Yellow flags all over
Valdosta State committed 13 penalties for 124 yards Saturday, the majority of which were holding or unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. West Alabama committed 12 penalties for 69 yards, including an offside penalty on the opening kickoff that overturned a recovered fumble.
Blazers run for season-low in yards
Valdosta State rushed for a season-low 133 yards in Saturday's loss. VSU had eclipsed the 200-yard rushing mark in the previous two games. In the season opening loss to Saginaw Valley State, the Blazers rushed for 144 yards.
Around the Gulf South Conference
In other GSC action from Saturday, Delta State defeated North Alabama, 20-12, in Cleveland, Miss. Shorter dropped its home opener to Division I-FCS opponent Charleston Southern, 23-20. West Georgia was idle.
Up next
Valdosta State hosts NAIA opponent Edward Waters next Saturday at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium for a 7 p.m. kickoff. West Alabama hosts West Georgia.
— Follow me on Twitter at @Ed_Hooper for more Valdosta State sports news.
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