BLAZERS OPEN NCAA PLAYOFFS AT NORTH ALABAMAValdosta State makes its 13th appearance in the NCAA Playoffs as the Blazers travel to Florence, Ala. to face off against Gulf South Conference foe North Alabama. The Blazers enter the contest with an 8-2 record on the year and went 5-2 in GSC play while UNA went 9-1 overall, including a 31-29 victory over VSU in the regular season, and finished the year 6-1 in league action.
The game features two of the best defenses in the Gulf South Conference as the Lions lead the league as they allow only 16.7 points a game while VSU is second at 17.2 points allowed per outing. North Alabama is also first in total yards allowed at 318.3 per game as well as in passing yards per game allowed at 168.2. While Valdosta State is fifth in the league in total defense at 351.9 yards allowed, it gives up just 134.1 rushing yards a game, which ranks second-best in the league.
Valdosta State currently scores 35.1 points per game. On the year, the Blazers feature a balanced offense as they run for 220.7 yards per game while passing for 243.7.
Jake Medlock has completed 122 of his 176 passes for 1,532 yards and has run for 473 yards on the year. He has passed for 14 touchdowns and ran for five more.
Austin Scott leads the team with 684 rushing yards along with four scores and
Cedric O'Neal is just behind at 652 yards to go along with nine scores.
Chris Anderson leads the receivers with 52 receptions for 567 yards and has three touchdowns.
In addition to the 134.1 rushing yards per game that the Blazer Black Swarm defense allows, VSU also gives up 217.8 passing yards a game. The Blazers have caused havoc for opposing offenses as they have recorded 60 tackles for loss on the year, including 18 sacks, and have recorded 23 turnovers.
Kenny Murphy has recorded a team-high 72 tackles while
Justin Williams has 66 tackles.
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