CLINTON, Miss. – The Valdosta State football team went to battle with a well-prepared Mississippi College program, but a resilient group of Blazers would not be denied and escaped with a narrow 42-41 Gulf South Conference win on Saturday afternoon in Clinton, Miss.
Valdosta State put up 541 yards in the game to outscore the Choctaws by one and improve their record to 5-1 overall, 3-1 in GSC play. Meanwhile, the Choctaws slid to 2-5 overall and were denied their first conference win to fall to 0-5 against league opponents on the season.
Mississippi College racked up 216 rushing yards in the game, 153 of which came from Josh Dixon. The senior cut through the Black Swarm defense throughout the contest with 13 carries and a 51-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. Dixon's touchdown represented one of four different rushing scores for the Choctaws in the contest.
The Blazer defense came through when VSU needed it most, however, as
Jamar Simpkins delivered a pair of sacks on both third and fourth down with less than one minute to go in the game to deny MC a game-winning scoring drive. Simpkins' clutch takedowns represented two of seven for the senior in the game, which matched
Brandon Roe's total and fell in one shy of VSU's leading tackler,
Kenny Moore, who tallied eight.
On the offensive side of the ball,
Roland Rivers carried the load at quarterback for Valdosta State and completed 23-of-38 attempts for 330 passing yards. Five of his completions resulted in touchdowns, including two to receiver
Joe Fortson. Rivers' touchdown total in the air represented a career-high for the sophomore, and he complemented the effort with 13 carries for 50 rushing yards. The effort marked the first time a Blazer has thrown for five touchdowns since
EJ Hilliard reached the mark against Carson Newman during VSU's 2015 playoff run.
Valdosta State traded scoring blows with the Choctaws throughout the afternoon, which led to four different ties in the contest. Mississippi College turned the game in their favor midway through the final quarter with a 73-yard punt return for a touchdown.
Selwyn Carroll came through for the Blazers with a critical extra point block, which ultimately allowed VSU to take a late lead after a nine-play touchdown drive and a
Cedric Hollingshed touchdown carry just before the Blazers' final defensive stop.
Next up for the Blazers, it's a return to Bazemore-Hyder Stadium in TitleTown for a Homecoming showdown against the rival Statesmen of Delta State. The contest is slated for 3:00 p.m.
