SETTING THE SCENE
The Valdosta State Blazers (3-3, 1-2 GSC) close out a two-game homestand Saturday versus Mississippi College (3-3, 2-1 GSC) Saturday at 3 p.m. at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium for Homecoming 2022.  The Blazers are looking to snap a two-game skid, while MC is looking for its third-straight victory.  
 
HOMECOMING 2022 
Saturday's contest with Mississippi College is Homecoming 2022 as the Blazers are 34-5 all-time on Homecoming and have won three-straight Homecoming games.  This marks the fourth time VSU and MC have met on Homecoming with MC leading 2-1.  MC won 10-3 in 1984 on Homecoming and then again 17-10 in 1990, while VSU won 42-21 in 1993.  The Blazers have won 19 of the last 20 on Homecoming and have outscored the opposition 1280-662 all-time for an average 32.8 points for per game and 17.0 per game against.  The Blazers downed North Greenville for Homecoming last season.  
 
FLOSPORTS
The Gulf South Conference enters its second year of a four-year agreement with FloSports to broadcast all GSC football games this fall.  ALL VSU football home regular season and road conference livestream broadcasts will be available exclusively through FloSports. Fans can purchase a monthly membership for $19.99 or an annual subscription for $150 ($12.50/month).  The yearly membership is a saving of nearly $90.  Subscribe to FloSports at www.flosports.tv/gulfsouth.  The membership will include:

 
CALLING THE GAME
TALK 92.1 FM will broadcast the Blazer games all season long with Spencer Van Horn and Wade Beale having the call.  In addition, Dave Garner and Taylor Biddle will have the call of all home games this season on the webstream, which can be accessed at vstateblazers.com on the football schedule page.
 
HOW TO PURCHASE TICKETS
Season tickets and single-game tickets currently are available for purchase online at vstateblazers.com or by calling the Athletic Department Ticket Office at 229-333-SEAT (7328).  The Athletic Department Ticket Office is Open Monday-Friday and tickets can be purchased until 2:45 p.m., the day prior to each home game (i.e. Friday at 2:45 p.m. for Saturday home game).  The Athletic Department Ticket Office is located in The P.E. Complex on Sustella Avenue until 3 p.m. the day before a game.  
 
LOOKING TO GET BACK ON TRACK 
The Blazers are looking for their first victory since Sept. 24, as they have dropped two-straight games for the first time since 2017.  The Blazers started fast against West Alabama last week with a first-drive touchdown and then used a block punt in the end zone for an early 14-0 lead.  UWA pulled within 14-7 through the first quarter and then used a 13-3 second quarter for a 20-17 lead at halftime for the visitors.  Both teams scored touchdowns in the third and fourth quarters as UWA held on for the 34-31 victory.  VSU held a 27-24 lead with 5:26 left in the third quarter and then trailed by ten early in the fourth quarter, before a late touchdown pulled within three.  VSU did a number of laterals on the last play of the game and got to around midfield before being tackled to end the game.  UWA held a 503-399 advantage in total offense in the game, while the Tigers rushed for 327 yards.  VSU was led by senior running back Seth McGill who had a team-high 15 carries for 69 yards and a touchdown.  Senior Victor Talley had five catches for 114 yards and a touchdown, while senior quarterback Ivory Durham went 17 of 31 passing for 215 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.  The two interceptions proved costly as UWA held a 3-0 lead in points off turnovers which ended up being the margin in the game.  The 399 yards of offense marked the first time VSU had not eclipsed 400 yards of offense or more this season.
 
THIS WEEK IN THE GSC
Looking at the GSC standings this week, Delta State leads the way with a 3-0 record and a 6-0 mark overall, while there are three teams all at 2-1, including West Florida, West Alabama and Mississippi College.  At 1-2, are the Blazers, along with West Georgia and North Greenville, who happen to be VSU's next two opponents following Mississippi College.  Shorter is 0-3 in league play so far.  For this week, West Florida travels to Shorter for a 12 p.m., kick, followed by West Georgia at North Greenville at 1 p.m.  VSU hosts the Choctaws at 3 p.m., while West Alabama visits Delta State for a 7 p.m. ET kick.
 
ON THIS DATE
The Blazers are 4-1 all-time on Oct. 15 and have won four-straight on this day, including a 42-41 victory at Mississippi College in 2016.  VSU is 1-1 on this date in Valdosta and 3-0 on the road.  VSU and Mississippi College met once before on this date with VSU winning 42-41 at MC in 2016.  
 
HUNGRY HURST
VSU freshman wide receiver Ted Hurst caught his fourth touchdown pass of the season on the first possession of the game against West Alabama last Saturday.  For the season, Hurst has seven receptions for 123 yards and four touchdowns with a long of 55.  
 
VICTOR'S VISION
Senior Victor Talley had a season-high five catches for 114 yards and a touchdown against West Alabama last Saturday.  Talley scored on a 39-yard strike from Ivory Durham giving VSU a 24-20 lead in the third quarter.  For the season, Talley has 22 catches for 316 yards and three touchdowns.
 
GASKIN GOES
Senior linebacker Jameon Gaskin leads the team with 50 total tackles and 21 solo stops this season.  Currently he is on a streak of three-straight games of double-digit tackles with 11 at Shorter, 12 at Delta State and 11 last week against West Alabama.  Gaskin is 13th nationally and tops in the GSC in tackles per game at a 10.0 clip.  Along with his 50 tackles this season, he has two tackles for loss for three yards, one interception for 37 yards, two pass breakups, two hurries and one forced fumble.  For his career, Gaskin has played in 41 games with 92 solo tackles and 226 total tackles as he is getting closer to the top ten all-time in career tackles in school history (259).  Gaskin has 14 tackles for loss for 57 yards, 5.5 sacks for 44 yards, two interceptions, eight breakups and three forced fumbles.
 
SEEING DOUBLE
While Gaskin has had double-digit tackles in each of the last three games, senior Michael Gayden had ten stops at Shorter and ten at Delta State, while sophomore Sean Colman had 12 stops at Delta State and freshman Terrell Dudley added ten tackles against West Alabama last week weekend.  The Blazers have had three-straight games with at least two players recording double-digit tackles and four games total as redshirt freshman Akil Lampley had ten tackles in the opener this season against Keiser.
 
INSIDE THE SERIES WITH MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE
The Blazers lead the all-time series with Mississippi College, 12-8-1 and have won 11-straight dating back to a 28-14 victory on Halloween in 1992 in Valdosta.  VSU won 41-13 last season in Clinton, Miss., in a game where MC didn't complete a pass, going 0 for 7 for the game.  The Blazers have outscored the Choctaws 578-394 and own a 7-4 record in games played in Titletown.  VSU has won the last six meetings in Valdosta in the series as MC's last victory came on Oct. 27, 1990, with a 17-10 score marking the last victory for MC in the series.  
 
ABOUT MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE
The Choctaws enter with a 3-3 record overall and a 2-1 mark in the GSC.  MC has won two-straight after starting the season 1-3.  The Choctaws won on a final two-point conversion attempt at then-No. 15 West Georgia on Oct. 1 and then posted a 35-21 victory at home last week versus Shorter.  Against the Hawks, MC rushed for a blistering 527 yards on 67 carries, setting a new school-record with 28 rushing first downs in a single game.  Quarterback John Henry White tallied 270 yards on the ground on 35 carries, marking one carry shy of tying the school-record.  Ron Craten finished with six carries for 105 yards and two touchdowns.  The Choctaws are the top team in the GSC in fewest penalties as they are seventh nationally with just 24 infractions for the season for an average of 36.00 yards per game for eighth nationally.  MC, when it does pass, is second nationally in passing yards per completion at 20.33, while it is third nationally in rushing offense at 321.5 yards per game and sixth nationally in time of possession at 34:02.  Individually, Marcus Williams is 28th nationally and second in the GSC in all-purpose yards at 134.17, while he is 39th in combined kick returns yards (325) for second in the league, 22nd in kickoff returns at 27.1 yards per return for third in the league and sixth in the conference in rushing touchdowns with five.  Cole Fagan leads the team with 322 rushing yards on 66 carries with two scores.  The Choctaws usually use a three running back approach to their option attack.  White is second on the team in rushing with 307 yards on 37 carries and two scores.  He has split time under center with DeAnte Smith-Moore this season. Head coach John Bland is in his ninth season at the helm of the Choctaws as he is 0-7 against VSU.
 
MCGILL WITH THE TD
Senior running back Seth McGill tallied his 40th career rushing touchdown on Saturday versus West Alabama as he is second all-time in school history in rushing touchdowns behind Cedric O'Neal (2012-15) with 49.  McGill has 3,127 rushing yards for sixth all-time in school history on 497 carries, while he is sixth all-time in school history in scoring with 43 total touchdowns for 258 points.  This season, McGill has 68 carries for 476 yards and three rushing touchdowns for a 79.3 average to lead the team.  He is 14th nationally and third in the GSC in rushing yards per carry at a 7.0 clip.  McGill has never had trouble finding the end zone, but Oct. 1, 2022, marked the first time he had thrown a touchdown pass in his Blazer career.  Late in the game at Delta State, McGill hooked up with freshman Ted Hurst for a 55-yard halfback toss and pass.  It was Hurst's second touchdown reception of the game.  It also marked McGill's first completed pass as he now is 1-4 all-time passing.
 
MCGILL ON THE RETURN
Not only has McGill be solid this season on the ground, but also in kick returns as he is 15th nationally and second in the GSC averaging 28.5 yards per kick return.  He has 14 returns for 399 yards (22nd nationally and tops in the GSC) and a long of 47. McGill is 11th nationally and tops in the GSC in all-purpose yards at 157.67. 
 
THOMPKINS THIRD IN RUSHING
Senior running back Jamar Thompkins is third all-time in rushing yards with 3,701 on 470 carries and 32 rushing touchdowns.  He is 158 yards from Aaron Jenkins (2000-03) for second all-time in rushing yards.  Thompkins' 32 rushing scores places him fifth all-time in school history, while he is eighth all-time in scoring with 35 total touchdowns for 210 points.  This season, Thompson is second on the team in rushing at 70.2 yards per game with 63 carries for 421 yards and three rushing touchdowns.  He is fourth in the GSC and 20th nationally in rushing yards per carry at 6.68.  
 
BLOCK PARTY
The Blazers have three blocks this season to tie for the most in the GSC and 16th nationally.  VSU came up with two huge blocks - one a field goal from senior Javiontae Martin in the first half to preserve a 10-0 deficit at the time in the second quarter and then on a blocked extra-point from sophomore Sean Colman at Shorter on Sept. 24.  The Blazers then had a blocked punt last weekend versus West Alabama as Akil Lampley recovered the block in the end zone for a touchdown and a 14-0 lead just 3:53 into the game.  VSU's last blocked punt for a touchdown before last Saturday came Dec. 8, 2018, as Jamar Thompkins returned the block 84 yards against Notre Dame College in the NCAA National Semifinal game.  
 
BILLUPS WITH THE PICK
Redshirt freshman defensive back Jordan Billups came up with a huge 65-yard interception return in the second half of the Blazers' 34-30 victory at Shorter on Sept. 24.  It was Billups' first career INT and the fifth of the season for the Blazers.  
 
STRONG AGAINST THE GSC
Over the 39-plus years of football at VSU, the Blazers have done well against the GSC and has a winning record against every current GSC foe except Delta State who now leads the series 21-19-1.  The Blazers are 207-90-3 all-time against the GSC.  The 207 victories are most in GSC history among current members and second-most all-time behind 219 from North Alabama.  
 
27:57
The Blazers had the ball for just 22:57 minutes of time in the 34-30 win at Shorter on Sept. 24.  That was the fewest minutes of possession time this season.  The Blazers had the ball for just 3:08 in the first quarter and 4:43 in the second quarter.  VSU is averaging 27:57 minutes of possession time this season for fifth in the GSC.  West Alabama is sixth in the GSC at 26:47.  
 
GUARDIAN BANK PLAYERS OF THE GAME
This season each game a number of players will be selected as the Guardian Bank Players of the Game.  Below is the list of each Guardian Bank Players of the Game from each contest this season.  

 
NOT GETTING INTO THE BACKFIELD
The Blazers have been great this season in sacks allowed and tackles for loss allowed.  VSU, who led the nation in 2021 in sacks allowed, has allowed just two sacks this season for fourth nationally at a 0.50 clip per contest.  Also, the Blazers are allowing just 3.83 tackles allowed for loss per game for 13th nationally.  
 
THIELE NAMED TO FRED MITCHELL AWARD WATCH LIST
Following his outstanding start to the season, sophomore kicker Estin Thiele has been named to the September Watch List of the Fred Mitchell Outstanding Place-Kicker Award, which annually goes to the top place-kicker from FCS, DII, DIII, NAIA and NJCAA in January.  This month, 17 place-kickers were announced including Thiele.  In all, five of the 17 were from NCAA Division II institutions.  This season, Thiele is 10of 12 in field goals with a long of 45 and 22 of 23 in extra-points for 52 total points.  Thiele is second nationally in field goals per game at a 2.25 clip, while he is 19th nationally in field goal percentage at an .833 average.  He is second nationally in field goals per game at a 2.00 clip, while he is 11th nationally in scoring at 10.4 points per game to lead the league.  For his career at VSU, he has scored 167 points.  
 
GOOD ON THIRD
The Blazers are 41st nationally and third in the GSC in 3rd-down conversion at a .427 clip on 32 of 75.  
 
THE 700 CLUB
The Blazers tallied 700 yards of offense on Sept. 17 at Miles College, marking the second highest output in school history.  VSU tallied the school-record of 719 yards of offense against West Georgia (Nov. 27, 2021) in the NCAA playoffs.  The 700 yards is the most in the regular season since the red and black had 671 yards at Shorter on Sept. 28, 2019.  The 700 yards last week also is the most in the NCAA so far this season in Division II and VSU is one of seven institutions with a game of 700 yards of offense across all three divisions.  Moreover, the 700 yards is good for eighth-best all-time in Gulf South Conference history, as VSU leads all of Division II in total offense this season at 562.7 yards per game.
 
DURHAM RANKS HIGH 
Senior quarterback Ivory Durham is 28th nationally and second in the GSC in completions per game at a 19.50 clip, while he is fifth nationally and tops in the GSC in passing touchdowns (16).  He leads the league in passing yards with 1,580 for 16th nationally and leads the conference in passing yards per game at a 263.3 clip for 18th nationally.  Durham is ninth nationally in points responsible for (108) and is eighth nationally in total offense at 307.5 yards per game for tops in the league.  For his career, Durham is tenth in program history in rushuing yards with 2,039 on 254 carries, while he is eighth in rushing touchdowns (24).  He is seventh in career passing yards with 5,614 on 400 of 697 passing with 58 touchdown passes.  His 58 TDs puts him fifth in program history and his 400 completions are good for ninth in school history.  Durham is fifth all-time in total offense with 7,653 yards on 951 plays.  
 
DURHAM FOR SIX
He tossed a career-high six touchdown passes at Miles College on Sept. 17, tying for the most in a single game this season in NCAA Division II with four others.  He also had five touchdown passes versus Virginia Union (Sept. 10).  Durham finished the game 14 of 27 passing for 359 yards, the six TDs and no interceptions, while he had ten rushes for 113 yards.  Durham's six tosses marked the most since former Blazer Rogan Wells threw six in the national championship game in 2018 against Ferris State.  The six tosses at Miles College tied Durham for seventh all-time in GSC history as former Blazers Chris Hatcher (2) and Dusty Bonner each tossed seven TDs in a game, which is the league record, achieved six times in league history.   
 
D2FOOTBALL.COM HIGHLIGHTS DURHAM
In addition to his GSC Player of the Week accolade, Durham also was named D2Football.com Offensive Player of the Week, marking the second Blazer to earn the honor this season as sophomore kicker Estin Thiele earned D2Football.com Special Teams Player of the Week honors, following the first week of the season.  Durham also was named Steel's Jewelry Blazer Athlete of the of the Week.
 
UNDER 200 
Speaking of defense, the Blazers held Miles College to under 200 yards of total offense, allowing 115 yards rushing and just 69 yards passing.  It marked the first time since Savannah State had 187 yards of offense with 127 on the ground and 60 through the air to open the 2021 season as VSU won 53-7.
 
40TH YEAR
The 2022 season marks the 40th playing season of Blazer football.  The program is 319-132-4 all-time (.706) and has just four losing seasons in the history of the program.  VSU has 32 winning seasons and has won double-digit games 12 times, including a school-record 14 victories in 2002 and 2018.  The Blazers have won four national championships and appeared in six national title games - all since 2002.  The Blazers are 29-14 all-time in the NCAA postseason in 18 appearances as the four national titles are tied with Grand Valley State for third-most in NCAA Division II history and tie for second among active Division II programs (Northwest Missouri State, 6).  The 29 NCAA postseason victories are good for fifth-most all-time in D2 and third-most among active D2 members (Northwest Missouri State, 52 / Grand Valley State, 36).  
 
NO SHUTOUTS
The Blazers lead all of NCAA Division II with 359 consecutive games without being shutout dating back to a 12-0 loss to Central Florida on Sept. 14, 1991.  VSU only has been shut out five times in program history.  Grand Valley is just behind the Blazers at over 340 games without a shutout.
 
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 319-132-4 record (.706) behind Grand Valley State (421-143-3) with a .741 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 MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE WOULD . . .