NCAA DIVISION II SELECTION SHOW LINK

VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Valdosta State football team cruised to a 44-0 win over Shorter and picked up their second straight Gulf South Conference victory to close out regular season action at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium in Valdosta, Ga. on Saturday.
 
The Blazers entered Saturday's contest as the No. 3 seed in the most recent Super Region 2 polls, and the squad's dominant performance improved the likelihood that VSU will earn a hosting opportunity next weekend in TitleTown. Now, it's a waiting game until the NCAA Division II Football Selection Show, set to air and announce VSU's fate online tomorrow afternoon at 5:00 p.m.
 
Valdosta State (8-2, 6-2 GSC) started slowly on offense and didn't get on the board until their third drive of the first quarter, when Andrew Gray slipped a 20-yard field goal through the uprights for his first of three on the day, including a career high 44-yard strike in the second quarter. Gray's kicking game opened up the floodgates early in the contest, as the Blazer defense kept things comfortable and allowed little to no threats by the Shorter (0-11, 0-8 GSC) offense.
 
Other scoring plays for VSU in the contest included a 78-yard, second quarter touchdown pass to Xay Howard, one of 16 seniors to be recognized during pregame. Howard's catch marked the longest of his career and also represented the longest touchdown pass of Adam Robles' young career at VSU.
 
The Blazer running back contingent, which consists of Jordan Germany, Cedric Hollingshed, and Qaulin Patterson, accounted for one touchdown from each of those three players, and a beautiful fade route from Robles to Stephen Denmark capped off the scoring for Valdosta State during the fourth quarter.
 
The Black Swarm defense picked up their first shutout of the year after completely dominating the contest and allowing Shorter just 75 total yards on the night. The number tied the mark for the fifth fewest total yards allowed by an opponent in Blazer football history. Maurice Fason and Justin Dixon notched five tackles each for a team high, while Egim Etta-Tawo recorded four takedowns and one sack.
 
Offensively, Robles led the way with 26 completions and 333 passing yards, while Jacob Chesser chipped in with seven completions and 59 yards to help lift VSU's passing total to just under 400 yards at 392.
 
Hollingshed recorded a team-high 82 rushing yards, and Howard led the receiving corps with 99 yards on three catches. Patterson also posted a career-high 52 rushing yards in the game on nine carries as well.
 
As mentioned, the NCAA Division II Selection Show will air online at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, and fans can watch live by clicking on the link located at the top of the page.
 
Valdosta State recognized the following seniors prior to the contest:
- Alex Brock
- Donatello Brown
- Donovan Bolden
- Selwyn Carrol
- Jacob Chesser
- Tahj Dennis
- Justin Dixon
- Egim Etta-Tawo
- Maurice Fason
- Xay Howard
- Kenny Moore
- Larry Murphy
- Jamar Simpkins
- Damien Strange
- Nick Utley
- Thomas Wright

Additionally, the VSU Athletic Department recognized all active and retired military at the game, and the following eight inductees were announced as members of the VSU Athletics Hall of Fame 2017 Class:
- 2011 Men's Tennis National Championship Team
- Marty McGhin - Contributor
- Phillip Pakebusch - Men's Tennis (2010-11)
- Daniel Dueren - Men's Tennis (2009-11)
- Alyssa Shirey - Softball (2009-10)
- Pam Hand - Women's Basketball (1984-88)
- Frank Gonzales - Baseball (1978-79)
- Ron Fortner - Men's Basketball / Baseball (1964-68)