VALDOSTA, Ga. – Behind five turnovers, the top-ranked Valdosta State football team defeated No. 20 West Alabama 44-27 in the Gulf South Conference opener for both teams Saturday evening at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium. 
 
The Blazers (3-0, 1-0 GSC) scored 17 points off the five miscues by the Tigers as sophomore Aaron Dawson had a pick-six for an 80-yard score early in the fourth quarter.  VSU outscored UWA 18-13 in the final frame and the touchdown gave the Blazers a little bit of breathing room as the Tigers had cut the deficit to 26-14 a few minutes earlier.  It was Dawson's first INT return for a score and second touchdown as he had an 88-yard fumble return for a score last season. 
 
A touchdown by the Tigers (2-1, 0-1 GSC) with 11:56 left on a seven play, 75-yard drive in just 2:49 pulled the Tigers back within 13 at 34-21, but the Blazers responded with a drive down to the UWA 25 and sophomore kicker Fernando Ramirez kicked his third field goal of the game, this time from a VSU career-long 42 yards for a 37-21 score. 
 
Another quick drive by the Tigers pulled them within ten as quarterback Jack McDaniels pass attempt on the two-point conversion failed.  UWA was penalized on the onside kick and then the Blazers sealed the game with a thrilling 23-yard run from junior quarterback Rogan Wells for a touchdown and a 44-27 score with 2:36 left. 
 
VSU won its school-record 18^th-straight game, but the game was far from easy in a battle of two top 25 teams.  The Blazers amassed 492 yards of offense with 259 yards on the ground on 41 carries, while going 25 of 35 through the air for 233 yards.  UWA tallied 376 yards of offense with 144 on the ground and 232 through the air, but three interceptions and two fumbles by the Tigers led to a 17-7 lead in points off turnovers for the Blazers.  UWA entered the game averaging a GSC-best 324.5 yards per game through the air for tenth nationally and was held t over 90 yards below that. 
 
Wells was 22 of 29 for the game for 226 yards and two touchdowns, while he rushed nine times for 83 yards and a score, while catching a touchdown pass from junior wide receiver Brian Saunds for three yards as he threw, caught and rushed for a score in the game.  It was Wells' second touchdown reception of his career as he caught his first last season in the national championship game. 
 
Sophomore running back Jamar Thompkins had 14 carries for 94 yards, while junior Lio'undre Gallimore had four catches for 62 yards and a score.   The Tigers found it tough sledding for much of the game on the ground, but McDaniels was 21 of 35 for 232 yards and two touchdowns, but tossed two interceptions.  Christian Saulsberry had five catches for a game-high 100 yards in the game. 
 
The Blazer defense was huge in the game as it made plays everywhere on the field.  VSU had five tackles for loss for 15 yards and one sack from reigning GSC Defensive Player of the Week, Thomas Incoom as he has four sacks in the last two games.  Junior Mondrell Jefferson and junior Stephon Williams led the team with seven tackles, while Jefferson had a team-high two tackles for loss for seven yards. VSU had a season-high eight pass breakups and the three interceptions, along with two fumble recoveries. 
 
The high-octane VSU offense had two settle for a pair of field goals through the first quarter and change.  UWA quarterback Jack Murphree tossed an interception to senior Steven Dye in the second quarter and then sophomore quarterback Ivory Durham led the Blazers down the field as he scampered 15 yards on a 3^rd and 14 and then Saunds hit Rogan who was lined up wide for a touchdown as Durham was under center and flipped it to Saunds for a 12-0 lead with 4:59 left in the half. 
 
UWA moved methodically down the field with its best drive to that point, converting three third downs on the drive Demetrius Battle scored from three yards out for a 12-7 score with 36 seconds left in the half. 
 
Wells put the Blazers in position with a 46-yard run on the first play from scrimmage on the ensuing drive and then he hit sophomore David White for a 29-yard touchdown and a 19-7 lead at halftime, which really turned the momentum late in the half as UWA began to gain come confidence following its last drive of the half.
 
After UWA had to punt on its first drive of the second half and pinned VSU at its own one yard line.  The Blazers went 99 yards on nine plays in 4:58, highlighted by a 44-yard run from Thompkins and Wells hit Gallimore for the 26-7 lead. 
 
The Blazers head on the road next Saturday at 6 p.m. at Shorter University.  Fans can access links to live stats, audio/video streaming of the game at vstateblazers.com on the football schedule page.  The game will be broadcast on 92.1 WDDQ FM with Spencer Van Horn and Wade Beale have the call of the game.