VALDOSTA, Ga. – Valdosta State graduate defensive back Nick Jackson was named Gulf South Conference Defensive Player of the Week, the league office announced Monday.  This is Jackson's first weekly honor of the season and the third of the season for the Blazers.  
 
Jackson, a Valdosta native, was instrumental in the Valdosta State 28-3 win over North Greenville in its conference opener.  He finished with a team-high eight total tackles, including six solo stops, while also recording one pass breakup. The Blazers defensive, led by Jackson, stymied the Crusaders to just 221 passing yards and 112 rushing yards for the game, while holding NGU 0-for-3 in the red zone.
 
For the season, Jackson is tied for third on the team in tackles with 13, while he is third in solo tackles with ten.  Jackson has one pass breakup for the season.  He and the Blazer "D" are 14^th nationally in scoring defense (13.5) to lead the GSC, while they are 32^nd nationally in total defense at 283.2 yards per game for second in the league.  VSU is 37^th nationally in rushing defense at 97.5 yards allowed on the ground per game, while the opposition is held to 185.8 yards per game through the air.  VSU leads the league in first downs allowed (60) for 37^th nationally.  
 
Jackson is the second Blazer to earn GSC Player of the Week honors this season as junior quarterback Sammy Edwards was named Offensive Player of the Week twice so far this season.  
 
The Blazers (4-0, 1-0 GSC) return to the road this Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. in Murfreesboro, N.C., battling Chowan (0-4, 0-2 GSC).  Check back with vstateblazers.com for links to live stats, audio/video streaming, ticket information and more later this week.
 
Click here for the GSC Player of the Week announcement.