VALDOSTA, Ga. - After a lengthy preseason that began in early August, the Valdosta State Blazers will at long last kick off their highly anticipated 2017 campaign this Saturday against non-conference rival Albany State in Albany, Ga.
The Blazers come into their season opener with a No. 11 ranking in the first American Football Coaches Association poll of the new campaign. The mark represents the highest for VSU since the week of September 28th in 2015, when the team made their 143rd all-time appearance in the top ten of the weekly poll.
Saturday's matchup will mark the 19th time the Blazers have faced the Golden Rams and the fourth consecutive season in which VSU and ASU have squared off for a season opener. Valdosta State is 17-1 all-time against Albany State, with the Blazers only loss coming in a narrow 24-22 defeat in the 2004 season opener. The game was played in Albany, Ga., and the Blazers avenged that loss later that same season with a 38-24 playoff win.
Season openers have been kind to the flame red and black, as the Blazers hold a 24-11 opening day record. Since its inception in 1982, the Valdosta State football program has outscored opponents 913-511, and the team carries a three-game opening day winning streak into Saturday's contest.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. EST, with live audio provided at www.talk921.com. Links for all forms of coverage, including live stats, are available below and on the main event page at www.vstateblazers.com.
