VALDOSTA, Ga. – This week's matchup features a change of scenery for the Valdosta State football team, as the Blazers make a short trip up the road for a non-conference matchup against the Kentucky State Thorobreds.

The matchup marks the fourth time these two schools have faced each other and the first matchup between the two programs since September 21, 1985. In the previous three matchups, two of which took place in Valdosta, Ga., the Blazers (2-1, 1-1 GSC) defeated KSU (1-3, 1-0 SIAC) and outscored their opponent 107-33 over the course of the three contests.

Kentucky State enters the weekend on the heels of their first win of the 2016 season, an overtime 17-14 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference triumph over Central State College. In the contest, KSU trailed 14-0 heading into the final frame. A pair of scores, however, including a punt block and recovery in the CSC endzone with less than four minutes to play in regulation, sent the game into overtime. The Thorobred defense held strong during the extra period, allowing KSU to kick a game-winning field goal for the narrow victory.

Head Coach Kerwin Bell and his Blazers are also riding high off of their first Gulf South Conference win of the season last weekend, a 40-28 win over West Florida. Valdosta State used the strength of their defense to claim the victory, as the Black Swarm forced seven turnovers in the game. The Blazer secondary highlighted the defensive effort with five interceptions, resulting in a tie for the second-highest pick total in VSU history and the most in a single game since a contest against Fort Valley State on September 8th of Valdosta State's 2012 National Championship season.

Valdosta State's most recent win also saw the emergence of freshman Cedric Hollingshed at the running back position. The Macon, Ga. native, who only played during the second half, scored a touchdown on his first ever collegiate carry and went on to record 78 rushing yards. Hollingshed also scored two touchdowns in the game and recorded one reception. As a result, the GSC recognized him as this season's most recent GSC Freshman of the Week.

Live coverage of Saturday's game will be available in the form of audio, video, and live stats. Each form of coverage can be accessed right here at www.vstateblazers.com.