VALDOSTA, Ga. – Each game this season for the Valdosta State Blazers has held more importance than the last, and this Saturday's 3:00 p.m. homecoming matchup against the visiting Florida Tech Panthers at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium is no exception.
The Gulf South Conference showdown essentially represents a "win or go home" situation for both the Blazers and the Panthers, who currently rank No. 7 and No. 6 in the most recent NCAA Super Region 2 rankings. With playoff positions available for the region's top seven teams, both team's playoff hopes are riding on Saturday afternoon's skirmish in Valdosta, Ga.
Valdosta State will look to the reigning GSC Player of the Week and newly crowned VSU football career rushing leader, Cedric O'Neal, for stability on offense. O'Neal, who will celebrate Senior Day on Saturday with 22 fellow seniors, has been an absolute force for the Blazers throughout the latter part of the regular season. In the last three games, the running back has accumulated 489 rushing yards and seven of his 13 rushing touchdowns this season. In addition, the Dublin, Ga. native has shown versatility with 13 receptions for 190 yards.
The Blazers have surged on offense during the second half of the season and will look to continue that trend this weekend. Valdosta State topped 400 total yards just once during their first five games, but have exceeded that total in each of their last four matchups.
Standing between Valdosta State and a 2015 postseason berth are the Panthers, who have seen equal amounts of success. In just their third season of the program, Florida Tech is riding high and has proven itself as a national contender. The team's most recent victory, a 28-26 upset of the top-seeded West Georgia Wolves, helped the program earn votes in the latest AFCA national poll.
Florida Tech is led by quarterback Mark Cato, who currently represents one of just two quarterbacks in the GSC with an average of over 200 passing yards per game. With a league-leading 18 touchdown tosses and 1,854 passing yards, Cato will represent one of the year's biggest challenges for Valdosta State's Black Swarm secondary.
Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. with live audio provided at www.talk921.com and the ESPN 3 broadcast coverage 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 1:30 p.m.
WILL CALL TICKET LOCATION: The Will Call Ticket location is at the southeast corner of the stadium. Will Call will open at 1:30 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 1:25 p.m.
-Saturday's game is Senior Day, where Blazer Athletics will recognize our our 23 seniors of Blazer football on the field at approximately 2:30 p.m.
-Ticket stubs from Saturday's football game can be used for free admission to both the volleyball and women's basketball contests on Sunday. Volleyball will host Senior Day vs. North Alabama at 1:00 p.m. at The Complex, while women's basketball will host Eckerd for their home opener at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday evening.
