SETTING THE SCENE
The top-seeded and fifth-ranked Blazers continue at home in the NCAA Quarterfinal round of the Division II Football Playoffs Saturday at 1 p.m. versus No. 10-ranked Bowie State.  These two teams played each other in the second round of the playoffs in Valdosta in 2018, with VSU winning 66-16.  The Blazers are 10-1 on the year, while Bowie State is 12-1.  
 
CALLING TODAY'S GAME
TALK 92.1 FM will broadcast the Blazer games all season long with Spencer Van Horn and Wade Beale having the call of the games.  Fans also can access the broadcast at www.talk921.com.   Dave Garner and Taylor Biddle will have the call of the game on the webstream as the playoffs are NOT streamed on FloSports and return to vstateblazers.com.  Check the football schedule page for a link to the FREE stream of the game.
 
LAST TIME THEY MET
This marks the second time these two teams have faced off in program history and the second time in the playoffs with the first being in the aforementioned game in 2018.  In that matchup, the Bulldogs raced out to a 10-0 lead early in the second quarter with a touchdown in the first quarter and a field goal to open the second frame.  From there, it was all VSU as the Blazers outscored BSU 66-6 the rest of the way from the 13:18 mark of the second quarter for a 66-16 victory.  The Blazers racked up 549 yards of offense and held BSU to 297 yards, including just 13 rushing yards.  Current Blazer junior running backs Seth McGill and Jamar Thompkins accounted for two of VSU's four rushing scores and 116 yards on the ground of the Blazers' 288 for the game.  Current graduate student wide receiver Lio'undre Gallimore had three catches for 87 yards and a touchdown in the game.  Current junior quarterback Ivory Durham was 6 of 6 passing for 97 yards and two touchdowns, while he had six rushes for 31 yards and a touchdown.  Defensively, current junior linebacker Jameon Gaskin had four tackles with 1.5 sacks for 15 yards in the game as VSU recorded four sacks for 32 yards and five tackles for loss for 36 yards.  VSU had one interception and two fumble returns.  For the Bulldogs, return specialist and defensive back Demetri Morsell returns as he had one kick return in the 2018 meeting, along with Tevin Singleton who had five tackles in the game and Joshua Pryor had two tackles a hurry and assisted in a tackle for loss against VSU.  Overall, BSU has pretty much turned over its roster since playing the Blazers in 2018.
 
STRONG IN THE PLAYOFFS
VSU qualified for its 18th postseason appearance in program history in 2021, and tallied its third-straight top-seed in the region for the playoffs.  The Blazers are 27-13 all-time in the NCAA postseason and have won four national championships in 2004, 2007, 2012 and 2018.  VSU is 4-1 in the national championship game with the lone loss being to Grand Valley State in 2002.  The four national championship victories are tied with Grand Valley State for the third-most in NCAA Division II history and are tied for second among active Division II programs (Northwest Missouri State, 6). VSU's 26 victories are good for fifth-most all-time in NCAA Division II and third-most among active institutions, while the 18 appearances are good for a tie for fifth all-time and tied for fourth among active schools. 
 
GOING FOR 11
With a victory on Saturday, VSU would win its 11th game of the season and seventh time in program history with 11 or more victories in a season.  VSU won a school-record 14 games in 2002 and 2018, going 1-1 in the national championship in those two years.  VSU went undefeated at 14-0 with the national title in 2018.  The Blazers won 13 games in 2004 and 2007, while winning 12 in 2001 and 2012) and 11 in 1994.  
 
SINGLETON NAMED FINALIST FOR GENE UPSHAW AWARD
Senior offensive lineman Ralph Singleton was named one of eight finalists for the prestigious Gene Upshaw Award, which is given to the most outstanding senior offensive or defensive lineman in the country.  This marks the third-straight season VSU has had a finalist for this award as Jeremy King was named runner-up in 2018 and Adonis Sealey was a finalist in 2019.  Singleton, a native of Sumter, S.C., has had an outstanding season on the offensive line for the Blazers.  He earned First Team All-GSC honors this season and second team accolades in 2019.  He has started all 11 games for the three-time GSC champion Blazers and helped lead the team to a 10-1 record.  Singleton also earned D2CCA First Team All-Region honors for the first time in his career.
 
13 BLAZERS NAMED TO D2CCA ALL-REGION TEAM
A total of 13 selections and five first team honorees highlight the Valdosta State football players who were named to the D2 Conference Commissioner's Association (D2CCA) All-Super Region Two Football Teams, announced Thursday morning.  The Gulf South Conference had a region-best 24 selections to the all-region team with 11 first team honorees and 13 named to the second team.  The South Atlantic Conference had 15 selections with nine on the first team and six on the second team.  West Florida sophomore quarterback Austin Reed was named Offensive Player of the Year for the region, while Bowie State sophomore defensive lineman Jonathan Ross was named Defensive Player of the Year. Heading into the quarterfinal round of the playoffs this weekend, Bowie State has five all-region honorees competing, with three first team selections and two second team honorees and VSU has its 13 selections for a total of 18 slated to play in the game Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m., at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium. 
 
VALDOSTA STATE D2CCA All-REGION SELECTIONS
First Team: Ralph Singleton (OL), Brian Saunds (Return Specialist), Brian Williams (DL), Nick Moss (LB), Mondrell Jefferson (Safety).  Second Team: Chris Barrett (TE), Jeremiah Campbell (OL), Brian Saunds (WR), Lio'undre Gallimore (WR), Ivory Durham (QB), Seth McGill (RB), Jameon Gaskin (LB) and Christian Matthew (CB).
                  
STRONG SHOWING ON GSC ALL-CONFERENCE TEAMS
VSU had a GSC-high 16 selections to the All-Conference Teams announced earlier this month.  VSU head coach Gary Goff was tabbed GSC Coach of the Year for the second-straight playing season.  VSU had nine selections to the first team, while Goff now is the second Blazer head coach to earn Coach of the Year honors multiple times as former head coach Chris Hatcher won the honor three-straight seasons from 2000-2002.  Goff is fifth Blazer head coach to win Coach of the Year honors (Hal Mumme, David Dean, Hatcher and Kerwin Bell) at while coaching at VSU.  Earning First Team honors were; Seth McGill, Chris Barrett, Brian Saunds (both WR and Returner), Jamar Thompkins, Ralph Singleton, Brian Williams, Nick Moss and Christian Matthew.  The second team saw Ivory Durham earn a spot for the first time, along with Lio'undre Gallimore, Arrington Dulin, Jameon Gaskin, Cory Roberts and Taurus Dotson.
 
HINSON NAMED COSIDA ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT
Valdosta State sophomore offensive lineman Ty Hinson was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District.  Hinson has a 3.47 grade-point average in history.  He is one of just two GSC student-athletes to be named to the team (West Georgia, Chris Blackston).  
 
RECAPPING WEST GEORGIA
The Blazers used the week off as the top seed in Super Region Two to their full advantage and the rest really helped as VSU came out firing on all cylinders against No. 13 West Georgia in the second round of the playoffs Saturday.  It also erased the bad taste from the disappointing 38-35 loss to West Florida in 2019 also in the second round of the playoffs.  Last Saturday, VSU stopped UWG on a fourth and one and quickly built the lead to 14-0.  UWG cut the deficit to 14-7 at the end of the first quarter, but VSU scored on three possessions in the second quarter for a 35-21 lead at the break.  In a wild third quarter that saw a combined 31 points, VSU extended its lead to 49-21 with two quick scores, but the Wolves trimmed the deficit to 49-35.  VSU then scored the final 17 points of the game for the 66-35 victory. VSU set a school-record with 719 yards of total offense in the game and the 66 points scored marked the fifth time since 2015 VSU scored over 60 points and the third time in the playoffs during that span.  VSU won 61-59 against Carson-Newman in 2015 in the second round, 66-16 versus Bowie State and 61-21 against Lenoir-Rhyne the very next week in 2018 in the NCAA second round and quarterfinals, respectively.  In the game Saturday, junior quarterback Ivory Durham passed for three touchdowns and rushed for three more as VSU accounted for a season-high nine touchdowns in the game.  Durham finished 22 of 31 passing for 354 yards, the three TD passes and one interception, while recording 14 carries for 92 yards and three scores.  The Blazer "D" held UWG to just 29 yards rushing on 21 carries (1.4/carry) and 410 yards for the game.
 
ABOUT BOWIE STATE
The Bulldogs enter after a dogfight with upset-minded Newberry last weekend. The game was scoreless into the second half as both teams scored touchdowns in the third quarter.  Newberry took a 10-7 lead with 2:50 remaining in regulation on a 48-yard field goal, but the Bulldogs responded 1:17 later with a 10-yard pass from Ja'rome Johnson to Keshan Hinckley for a 13-10 lead as BSU missed the extra-point.  Newberry fumbled the ensuing possession as BSU ran out the clock for the victory.  This is the first time BSU has advanced past the second round in the playoffs in school history.  Bowie State is in its sixth trip to the NCAA postseason and is 3-5.  The Bulldogs qualified in 1988, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021.  BSU is 0-3 all-time on the road in the playoffs, including the loss in Valdosta in 2018.  The Bulldogs had five players named to the D2CCA All-Region Team in first team honorees offensive lineman Quinton Bobo, linebacker Wesley Bowers and standout defensive lineman Jonathan Ross who was named the Super Region Two Defensive Player of the Year.  Harlon Hill finalist running back Calil Wilkins and defensive back Myles Wolfolk earned second team all-region honors.  The Bulldogs are led by their defense, which gives up 13 points per game (fifth nationally) while giving up 234 yards also fifth nationally.  Bowie's offense is balanced run to pass, averaging 361 yards per game while averaging 33 points per game.  Bowie ranks fifth in the nation total defense, first in 3rd down efficiency defense (0.240), first in red zone defense (0.519) and second in pass defense efficiency (88.77).
 
SAUNDS OVER 200
Valdosta State graduate wide receiver Brian Saunds recorded his second game of over 200 yards receiving (Nov. 6) with 220 yards on a career-high 15 receptions and one touchdown.  Saunds was named GSC Offensive Player of the Week for the second time for his efforts Saturday against North Greenville.  He set the school-record for receiving yards with 246 on a then, career-high ten catches against Florida Tech, also on Homecoming in 2019.  The 220 yards receiving marked the fourth-most in school history for a game, while the 15 catches are good for sixth all-time in school history in a game. In addition, the 15 catches sit tied for second in NCAA Division II in a game this season, while the 220 receiving yards is good for ninth in NCAA Division II this season.  Both of his 15 catches and 220 yards receiving are tops in the GSC for a single game this season.
 
FOR STREAKS
Despite the loss at UWF on Nov. 13, the Blazers have had quite a winning streak over the last three years.  Since the final five games of 2017, VSU has gone 37-3 overall and won a GSC-record 25-straight games from the final game of 2017, through the 2019 regular season.  VSU won 23-straight GSC regular season games from the final game of 2017 through to Nov. 13, 2021.  Since the final five games of the 2017 season, VSU has gone 38-3 overall during that span.
 
SETH OVER 1,000 
Junior running back Seth McGill has had an outstanding season for the Blazers and outstanding career as he has rushed for 1102 yards this season with 13 rushing touchdowns for a 100.2 average per game.  He has played in 36 games with ten starts for his career.  McGill is fifth nationally and second in the GSC in rush yards per carry (7.25), while McGill leads the league in rushing touchdowns (13) for 16th nationally and he is tops in the GSC in rushing yards (1,103) for 21st nationally.  His 100.3 average per game is good for 21st nationally and best in the league.  McGill moved into a tie for seventh all-time in rushing touchdowns in a season against West Florida.  Former Blazer Cedric O'Neal had 17 rushing scores in 2017 for the school record.  McGill's 36 career rushing touchdowns places him tied for second all-time in school history with Dominique Ross (1992-94).  O'Neal leads the school-record book with 49 career rushing scores.  McGill's 228 career points on 38 touchdowns (including two receiving scores) puts him tied for sixth all-time with Dominic Ross (1992-94).  McGill's 2,498 rushing yards places him eighth in school-history in career rushing yards.  
 
THOMPKINS MOVES UP
Junior Jamar Thompkins is part of the Blazers' outstanding rushing attack as he, like McGill, has had an outstanding career.  Thompkins has played in 36 games with 24 starts, while recording 381 carries for 3,123 yards and 29 rushing touchdowns.  He has 31 total touchdowns for 186 points for his career.  Thompkins' 3,123 yards on the ground is good for fourth all-time in school history as he is just 114 yards from third all-time held by Ross with 3,237 career rushing yards.  Thompkins' 29 rushing touchdowns are good for fifth all-time in school history behind Aaron Jenkins (2000-03) with 34.  Both Thompkins and McGill have had outstanding three years at VSU thus far and both have their senior years in 2022 as they look to continue to rewrite the record book.
 
FIRST IN THE NATION
The Blazers lead the nation in sacks allowed (1) for an 0.09 average per game, while VSU leads the nation in turnovers lost (9).  Individually, senior defensive back Mondrell Jefferson leads the nation in fumbles recovered with four. 
 
CREATING OPPORTUNITIES
VSU is 23rd nationally in turnover margin at 0.73, for tops in the GSC.   The Blazers have just nine turnovers on the year for second in the nation, while they have forced 17 for third-most in the GSC.  VSU holds a 62-24 lead on the opposition in points off turnovers.  
 
DEFENSE SCORES
The Blazers recorded their fourth defensive touchdown this season with a 47-yard pick-six in the third quarter at West Alabama on Oct. 16, by junior defensive back Taurus Dotson. The Blazers are seventh nationally in defensive touchdowns as Bowie State leads the nation with seven.  VSU has two fumble recoveries for touchdowns from senior Mondrell Jefferson and pick-six interceptions from graduate transfer Christian Matthew (Oct. 2 vs. Shorter) and Dotson at UWA.  Senior defensive lineman Arrington Dulin also has a safety this season in the season-opener against Savannah State (Sept. 4). 
 
SPEEDY SAUNDS
For his standout career, Saunds has played in 45 games with 36 starts, hauling in 173 catches for 2,870 yards and 25 receiving touchdowns.  He has 60 punt returns for 613 yards for his career and one kickoff return for 30 yards.  Saunds has 3,520 all-purpose yards during his time in Titletown.  He also threw two touchdown passes for his career, going 3 for 3 passing for 14 yards.  The 173 receptions are eighth all-time in school history, while the 2,870 receiving yards are fourth all-time in program history.  He needs 22 yards receiving to tie Randy Fisher (1986-89) for third all-time with 2,892 yards.  Saunds' 25 receiving touchdowns puts him seventh in program history, one shy of 26 from Randy Fisher (1986-89).  
 
BIG GRAB GALLIMORE
Graduate student Lio'undre Gallimore has had a heck of a career for the Blazers as he has played in 41 games with 36 starts, while recording 138 receptions for 2,599 yards and 29 receiving touchdowns.  He has 18 kick returns for 487 yards and one touchdown, while recording 3,073 all-purpose yards for his career.  Gallimore's 2,599 yards receiving are good for seventh in program history.  He had his first career kick return for a touchdown against Delta State (Oct. 9, 2021).  Gallimore is ninth nationally this season in receiving touchdowns to lead the league (13).  Gallimore's 14 total touchdowns this season is good for 25th nationally and leads the GSC.
 
GOOD ON THIRD
The Blazers are fifth nationally in third down conversions at a 0.530 clip for tops in the GSC.  VSU is fourth in the GSC in third down defense, holding teams to a  0.364 clip and held UWG to just 2 of 12 on third down last week.
 
STOUT DEFENSIVELY
The Blazers are seventh nationally in defensive touchdowns (4), while the team is 15th nationally in passing yards allowed (155.4) for tops in the GSC.  VSU is eighth in the nation in red zone defense, holding teams to a 0.629 clip, while the team is 27th in scoring defense at 19.3 points allowed per game (tops league) and 18th in passing efficiency defense at a 105.66 clip to lead the GSC.  VSU is 48th nationally in total defense tops in the GSC at 329.8 yards allowed per game.  Individually, Mondrell Jefferson leads the nation in fumble recoveries with four, while graduate student Christian Matthew is 14th nationally in passes defended at 1.4 per game and 14 for the season.  Senior Nick Moss is 34th nationally in total tackles at 8.8 per game to lead the GSC.
 
HIGH POWERED OFFENSE
Not only do the Blazers have a stout defense, but also a strong offense as are second nationally in total offense at 525.7 yards per game.  VSU is fifth nationally and tops in the GSC in red zone offense (0.920), while it is fifth nationally and second in the league in rushing offense at 269.8 yards per game.  VSU is fifth nationally second in the GSC in scoring offense at 44.3 points per game.  VSU is 39th nationally in passing yards per completion at 13.87 for third in the league, while it has allowed just one sack on the season to lead the nation in sacks allowed (0.09).  
 
GOFF HITS 50 CAREER VICTORIES
VSU third-year head coach Gary Goff hit 50 career coaching victories with the 53-7 win over Savannah State on Sept. 4.  Goff now is 59-51 in his 11th season of coaching.  Prior to VSU, he coached nine years at Tiffin University in Tiffin, Ohio.  Goff is 20-2 during his time at VSU.
 
GARY GOFF RADIO SHOW
The Gary Goff Radio show is back this season at the Salty Snapper Restaurant in Valdosta every Monday at 7 p.m.  Come out and listen to VSU head football coach Gary Goff speak about the previous game and looking ahead to the next game on the schedule.  VSU Assistant Athletic Director for Development, Matt Malone, broadcasts the show and if you can't make it out, you can listen on WVGA 105.9 FM in Valdosta or stream it at valdostatoday.com.  Prizes will be awarded after the show and fans in attendance have the opportunity to ask questions of Goff during the show. 
 
COACH GARY GOFF SHOW
The Coach Goff Show will be available each Sunday at vstateblazers.com on the football page throughout the season as it will include interviews from Goff, select players and highlights from the previous game.  Spencer Van Horn and Dave Garner host the show throughout the season and Jamie Abbott of Crashandannie Productions directs and produces the show.
 
NO SHUTOUTS
The Blazers lead all of NCAA Division II with 349 consecutive games without being shutout dating back to a 12-0 loss to Central Florida on Sept. 14, 1991.  VSU only has been shutout five times in program history.  Behind the Blazers is Grand Valley State who hasn't been shutout in 338 games.
 
A HISTORY OF SUCCESS
The Blazers have had an outstanding 39 years of football since the program began in 1982.  The Blazers have the second-highest winning percentage all-time in NCAA Division II with a 313-128-4 record (.703) behind Grand Valley State (414-143-3) with a .738 clip.  VSU went 88-27 from 2010-2019 for a .765 average which is good for eighth in NCAA Division II for the decade.
 
A VICTORY OVER BOWIE STATE WOULD  . . .