BLAZERS RENEW OLD RIVALRY IN MISSISSIPPIValdosta State renews an old rivalry as it plays Mississippi College for the first time in 20 years. The two teams used to meet annually when the Choctaws were in the GSC during the 1980s and early 1990s before MC's move to NCAA Division III ended the series.
The Choctaws lead the all-time series 8-5-1, including victories in eight of the first nine contests between the two schools. However, after a tie in 1991, the Blazers rebounded to win the final four games.
Valdosta State enters the weekend with a 3-2 record after a 40-6 win over West Georgia last week. The Blazers featue a balanced offense as they run for 217.4 yards per game while passing for 235.8.
Jake Medlock has completed 66 of his 105 passes for 859 yards and has run for 343 yards on the year.
Austin Scott leads the team with 379 rushing yards while
Chris Anderson leads the receivers with 25 receptions for 339 yards.
The Blazer Black Swarm defense, which surrenders 126.2 rushing yards and 250.8 passing yards a game, has caused havoc for opposing offenses as it has recorded 33 tackles for loss on the year.
Justin Williams has recorded a team-high 40 tackles, including 6.0 tackles for loss. Meanwhile,
Kenny Murphy has 38 tackles, including 5.5 for loss. The VSU defense has tallied 12 turnovers on the season, including nine fumble recoveries and three interceptions while also registering 10 sacks.
Mississippi College has started its first year of transition back to the NCAA Division II ranks with a 1-4 record, including a pair of losses against GSC competition. The Choctaws rely heavily on they run for 156.4 yards per game while passing for only 47.2 per outing. Meanwhile, MC allows 242.8 rushing yards and 217.6 passing yards a game.
Quarterback Kyle Smith leads the Mississippi College offense as he has pased for 162 yards on the season while rushing for 174. Running back Chris Ingram has run for 301 yards on the season while James Harris has 11 receptions for 175 yards and a score. Jake Weddle has paced the Choctaw defense with 54 tackles on the season, including 1.0 for loss. C.J. O'Quinn has 7.0 tackles for loss among his 26 stops on the year.
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