CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Citadel scored early following a blocked punt and scored 24 points in the first quarter as Valdosta State dropped a 38-14 decision Saturday afternoon in the first game against a Division I opponent since 2003. 
 
Despite the loss, the Blazers (2-4) held The Citadel (3-3) to just 14 points following the first quarter.  The Bulldogs held a 24-7 lead through the first quarter.  VSU now is 2-4 all-time against Division I institutions. 
 
The Blazers took the ball first and went three-and-out, but the punt was blocked by the Bulldogs' J'hari Mosley as The Citadel began its first drive of the game at the VSU 6.  The Bulldogs used a run to Garrison Johnson, Sr., for a six-yard touchdown and a 7-0 lead with 13:06 to play in the first quarter.
 
VSU came back as junior Jameson Holcomb hit senior Council Allen for 19 yards and the drive then stalled, but The Citadel was called for a roughing the kicker penalty moved the ball to The Citadel 40.  The Blazers then went for it on a 4^th and 6 from the 36 as Holcomb hit Allen for three yards, but VSU turned the ball over on downs. 
 
The Bulldogs began their drive at their own 33 and converted a 3^rd and two and a 3^rd and 1 and then used a 19-yard scamper by Cobey Thompkins on a 3^rd and 11 to the VSU 1.  Sebastien Boyle scored for a 14-0 lead with 1:14 left in the first quarter.
 
Following a three-and-out by the Blazers, Boyle used a 72-yard touchdown run for a 21-0 lead with 14 minutes remaining in the first half.  VSU punted on its next possession and The Citadel return man Braylon Knauth muffed the return as Blazer redshirt freshman long snapper barely missed the recovery as Knauth recovered his own fumble.
 
The Bulldogs used big gains on the ground as they moved the ball down field and the Blazers stopped The Citadel for  4^th and 10 from the VSU 13.  The Citadel added a field goal from Ben Barnes for a 24-0 lead with 7:10 left in the first half.
 
Another personal foul penalty helped the Blazers as they had a 3^rd and 7 from the CIT 44.  Holcom's pass sailed wide of senior Xyre Wilson as the Blazers had to punt.   VSU forced the Bulldogs into their first punt of the game as VSU took over at its 39 with 3:20 remaining in the half. 
 
Following a VSU punt, Blazer senior Rance Conner tallied his team-leading third interception of the season and returned the ball to the CIT 17 with 1:33 remaining in the half giving VSU its best starting field position of the day.  Blazer freshman running back Shawn Pascall used three nice runs putting inside the five and then he went off the right side for a touchdown and a 24-7 score with 30 seconds remaining. 
 
VSU cored a three-and-out on the opening possession of the second half and then had its best drive of the game as Paschell continued to work hard on the ground moving the Blazers down to the 29.  A huge sack of Holcomb from Mikey Rosa pushed the Blazers out of field goal range as they had to punt with 6:35 remaining in the third. 
 
The Bulldogs used a 21-yard run from Quentin Hayes and a 27-yard scamper on a 3^rd and 1 to the VSU 1, before Johnson scored on the ground for a 31-7 lead with 2:33 left in the third.  The Blazers had nice drive going, but a fumble gave the ball back to The Citadel in VSU territory late in the quarter for the first turnover of the game on the Blazers.  The Citadel cashed the turnover into points for a 38-7 lead as Johnson scored his third touchdown on the ground in the game with 13:30 to play.
 
Following a 67-yard punt from junior Devin Walter, the Bulldogs began at their own 13 and moved to the VSU 44, but Blazer senior linebacker Aaron Willis stopped Beau Herrington on 4^th and 2 forcing a turnover on downs.
 
VSU had a 4^th and 3 from the ten with 1:17 to play and Paschall scored his second rushing score of the game for a 38-14 score.  Paschall finished with 10 carries for 52 yards and two scores.
 
The Blazers have their second bye week next week and then turn their sights for Homecoming 2025 on Oct. 25, at 3 p.m., versus North Greenville at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium. 
 
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