VALDOSTA, Ga. - The Blazers look to bounce back this week against the North Alabama Lions after a tough 12-29 opening day loss two weeks ago to the Albany State Golden Rams.
The defeat marked the first loss on opening day for VSU football since 2012 and the first loss against Albany State since 2004. An encouraging note for the Blazers is the fact that the program recovered to win the National Championship during each of those two seasons. In addition, the Blazers were afforded two weeks of rest heading into the weekend game, after Hurricane Irma induced a week-two cancellation of the Okefenokee Classic against Fort Valley State
In order to right the ship, Head Coach Kerwin Bell and his red and black squad will aim to solve Gulf South Conference rival North Alabama. Both teams will enter this weekend's contest on the heels of an opening weekend loss, as the Lions fell two weeks ago in a defensive struggle and narrow 8-7 loss to Texas A&M Commerce.
The contest extends well beyond conference implications in tonight's GSC opener for both teams, as both programs are currently in the discussion among the top 25 teams in the country, according to the most recent American Football Coaches' Association poll. The Lions rank No. 11 overall, while the Blazers are receiving votes.
The rivalry between the Blazers and the Lions is arguably the most storied in Valdosta State history. The two programs have squared off in each of the 35 years of VSU football and have faced each other six times in postseason play. Tonight's contest marks the 42nd all-time, with the Lions holding a 24-16-1 advantage. Oddly enough, the visiting team has won eight of the last ten games between the Lions and the Blazers. Saturday's showdown also marks the first ever Gulf South Conference matchup for UNA Head Coach Chris Willis. Willis is in his first year at UNA and is following up the legendary Bobby Wallace, who retired after leading the Lions to the NCAA DII Championship game to close out his career in 2016.
Barring a postseason matchup later this year, this contest could be the last Division II matchup between the longstanding rivals, as the Lions will move up to the Division I ranks following the conclusion of the 2017 season. The Blazers will be looking to make the showdown a memorable one in an effort to avenge a stinging loss to the Lions in last year's early season matchup in Florence, Ala.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. EST, with live audio provided at www.talk921.com and video coverage provided by ESPN3. Links for all forms of coverage, including live stats, are available below and on the main event page at www.vstateblazers.com.
Additionally, for information on all of the activities available on a Blazer Football Gameday, including tailgating and the Blazer Walk, be sure and check out our GAMEDAY CENTRAL page.
