VALDOSTA, Ga. - Every game has been a critical matchup during the second half of the 2015 season for the Valdosta State Blazer football team, and this week's Gulf South Conference matchup against longtime rival Delta State is no exception.
The Blazers (6-2, 3-2 GSC), now ranked No. 23 in the nation and No. 6 in the most recent NCAA Super Region 2 rankings, have playoff hopes within their reach. In order to take hold of those hopes, Head Coach David Dean's squad will need to overcome a team that has been problematic for the Blazers in recent years. In the overall series between these two teams, Delta State (5-4, 1-4 GSC) holds a 20-13-1 advantage, including wins in eight of the last nine contests. In fact, Valdosta State's last victory in Cleveland, Miss. came over 10 years ago in a one point, 24-23 win over DSU on October 1, 2005.
Valdosta State aims to buck the trend using a current hot streak in which the Blazers have won three straight GSC matchups. The team's most recent victory, last week's 55-28 win over West Alabama, could easily be considered VSU's strongest, most balanced effort of the season. The Blazers scored eight touchdowns in the game, two of which came as a direct result of the Black Swarm defense. Both Kenny Moore and Kenny Murphy delivered interception returns for touchdowns, and Murphy's 73-yard jaunt into UWA's end zone capped off a performance that earned the senior his first ever GSC Player of the Week honor.
Along with recent defensive strides, the Blazers continue to ride the wave of running back Cedric O'Neal. O'Neal posted a career high 48 receiving yards two weeks ago against Shorter, then promptly bested that effort with 106 receiving yards on just four catches against West Alabama. In addition, O'Neal's versatility was on full display last Saturday, as the freshman carried 14 times for 108 yards and two touchdowns. The Duluth, Ga. native's 10 touchdown carries this season represent the most of any running back in the GSC and with 671 rushing yards on the year, he is rapidly closing in on VSU's all-time rushing yardage record. Only 143 yards stand between O'Neal and a leap over Aaron Jenkins' career total of 3,859.
Dean tied Chris Hatcher as the winningest Coach in Valdosta State history with his 76th career win last Saturday. His only career victory against the Statesmen came during the 2012 National Championship season, when the Blazers defeated DSU 59-41 in Valdosta, Ga.
Kickoff is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. EST, with live audio provided at www.talk921.com and at the links below. In addition, fans can watch the game live at www.vstateblazers.com or via the links below.
