VALDOSTA, Ga. - Just the fourth week of the 2015 season, and we've made it to one of the most anticipated games of the year. And with the way the North Alabama Lions and the Valdosta State Blazers have performed so far, Saturday's showdown holds an incredible amount of weight.
 

Never in GSC history has there been a better rivalry than the one between VSU (3-0, 0-0 GSC)  and UNA (3-0, 2-0 GSC). The rivalry between the two programs goes all the way back to year one of Valdosta State football, when the Blazers first faced the Lions in 1982. The two teams have competed against each other at least once in each season since then, with the Lions holding the all-time series advantage at 22-16-1.
 

Despite a 135-44-1 record at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium since the program's inception 33 years ago, home success has been an enigma for Valdosta State when hosting the Lions, especially in recent years. The last time the Blazers defeated UNA on their home turf was a 37-23 win over the Lions nearly eight years ago on October 27, 2007. 

For the No. 9 ranked Blazers, Saturday's contest represents the first Gulf South Conference matchup of the season, while the No. 8 ranked Lions enter the skirmish having already competed in two league matchups. After a pair of 34-17 victories in weeks one and two, the second of which was a victory over GSC opponent Mississippi College, the Lions hosted Florida Tech last weekend in a shootout that went down to the wire. UNA quarterback Luke Wingo helped lead the Lions to a 55-48 victory in the contest after delivering a GSC Player-of-the-Week worthy performance that included 24 completions in 34 attempts for two touchdowns and 398 yards in the air, along with 64 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries.
 

Valdosta State looks to counter UNA's offensive firepower with some solid offensive options of their own, including running back Cedric O'Neal, who continues his pursuit of two major all-time school rushing records. O'Neal's 3,237 career rushing yards place him just 637 yards shy of passing current record holder Aaron Jenkins (2000-03). After two touchdown carries last week, O'Neal now has 35 on his career, and needs just two scores to pass Dominique Ross (1992-94) for the all-time record.
 

Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. with live audio provided at www.talk921.com and at the links below.

TICKET LOCATIONS: Tickets can be purchased on game day at three Bazemore-Hyder Stadium locations. Tickets are available at the southeast corner, the southwest corner of the stadium, and the northwest corner of the stadium. Tickets will go on sale at 12:30 p.m.

WILL CALL TICKET LOCATION: The Will Call Ticket location is at the southeast corner of the stadium. Will Call will open at 12:30 p.m.

TICKET PRICES: 
    $18 - Reserved Seat
    $10 - General Admission
    $5 - youth (5-17)

PARKING: All VSU parking lots are open for football game parking. The Bazemore-Hyder Stadium lots directly behind and to the south of the stadium are reserved lots and are not available for general public parking

HANDICAP PARKING: There are a limited number of first-come-first-serve handicap parking spaces located in the Superintendent Reserved lot directly behind the stadium. Enter this lot off Williams Street and show attendant your handicap pass.

CONCESSIONS: Concession stands at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium are located in the South Concourse and at the northeast corner of the stadium.

SPECIAL ACTIVITIES: The Blazer Walk will begin at approximately 12:15 p.m.