Blazers Top West Georgia 31-20

VSU scores 21 fourth quarter points

CARROLLTON, Ga. - Valdosta State scored 21 fourth quarter points to defeat West Georgia 31-20 in Gulf South Conference action at University Stadium Thursday evening.

West Georgia (1-8, 1-6) opened the scoring on its first drive of the game as they marched 54 yards for a 42 yard field goal by Adi Brkic.

Valdosta State (5-4, 5-3) took the lead on its next drive as the Blazers capped off a 14-play, 67 yard drive with a one-yard David Arnold touchdown run. Kellen Lewis completed seven-of-eight passes for 76 yards on the drive while Ronnye Nelson picked up seven yards on three carries. After a Nelson run moved the ball to the UWG three, Arnold picked up two yards on a run before punching the ball in on his next carry for his first career touchdown, giving VSU a 7-3 lead with 14:19 to go in the second quarter.

V.J. Hunt gave the Wolves the lead back 3:06 before the half as he scored on a 30-yard reverse to cap off a nine-play, 80-yard drive. Brendan Behenna completed passes to Yusuf Holloway and Hunt to open the drive before Joey Harris gained 11 yards on a pair of runs. Two plays later Malcolm Johnson moved the ball into Valdosta State territory with a 25-yard reception before Holloway gained a yard on a run. On the next play, Holloway took the hand-off from Behanna and broke to the right before handing off to Hunt. The sophomore receiver got a block and raced untouched to the end zone to give West Georgia a 10-7 advantage.

VSU tied the game at the intermission horn as Daniel Andersen kicked a 28-yard field goal. Chris Wellborn set up the field goal when he returned a punt 20 yards to the UWG 28. A penalty on the play gave the Blazers the ball on the UWG 23 with 41 seconds remaining and no time outs. Cedric Jones caught a nine-yard pass on the first play of the drive while Lewis picked up three yards on a run two plays later to move the ball to the Wolf 11. The Blazers attempted three passes into the end zone before running the kicking unit onto the field with three seconds remaining on the clock. Andersen's kick was right down the middle to even the game at the intermission.

After a scoreless third quarter, Gerald Ford put Valdosta State up 17-10 as he scored on a 58 yard pass. After a West Georgia punt and a substitution infraction by the Wolves, the Blazers took over on their own 32. A screen pass to Nelson lost three yards before Cedric Evans picked up the first down with an eight yard catch. Lewis rushed for no gain and hit Ford for five yards to bring up third down. A play later, Ford caught the ball over middle and broke a tackle before racing the final 42 yards for his fourth score in the last three weeks.

On Valdosta State's next possession, Cameo Holloway scored on a 22-yard touchdown run to put the Blazers up by 14. Valdosta State kept the ball on the ground for the entire drive, which began with a 22-yard run by Lewis. After an offsides call against the Wolves, Arnold picked up 20 yards on a pair of runs before Lewis gained 13 more on the ground. Mike Brown gained four more on a carry to the move the ball to the West Georgia 22, setting up Holloway's run off left tackle that posted the Blazers to a 24-10 advantage.

West Georgia marched down and scored on a 29-yard Johnson touchdown reception with 1:19 to go, but Lewis scored on a 40-yard touchdown run 19 seconds later to again push the VSU lead to 14. A 34-yard Brkic field goal at the final horn closed out the scoring.

Ford recorded all six of his receptions in the second half while registering his first career 100-yard game, finishing with 123 in the contest. Lewis completed 20-of-32 passes for 247 yards in the contest while also gaining 78 yards on the ground. Dudley Spence tallied a career-high 10 tackles to lead the Valdosta State defense.

Behenna completed 17-of-35 for 203 yards and a touchdown. Holloway carried the ball 23 times for 75 yards while also catching four passes for 36 yards.

Valdosta State out-gained UWG 414 to 356 in the contest, but was hampered by 15 penalties for 163 yards.

Valdosta State concludes its 2009 season next Saturday, November 7, when it hosts Edward Waters at 2:00 p.m. in Bazemore-Hyder Stadium. The VSU seniors will be honored prior to the game.

Current News >>