MURFREESBORO, N.C. – The No. 22 Valdosta State football team rebounded nicely from a disappointing loss last week for a commanding 56-3 win at Chowan Saturday afternoon.  The Blazers outgained CU 475 to 233 and came up with four interceptions in the victory.
 
The Blazers (2-1) finished with 338 yards on the ground for a staggering 8.0 average per carry, while junior quarterback Jameson Holcomb went 12 of 16 passing for 137 yards and a touchdown.  Blazer senior Corey Reddick, Jr., had 13 carries for 119 yards and three touchdowns on the ground, while senior Ashaud Roberson had three carries for 108 yards and scored the last touchdown of the game on an 85-yarder.  VSU finished with seven rushing touchdowns for the game.  Playing in his first game since 2023, senior Council Allen finished with five catches for 68 yards to lead the team.
 
On defense, the Blazers were crisp throughout as senior Rance Conner had two interceptions for 18 yards and two solo tackles with a tackle for loss.  Junior Andrew Douglas and redshirt freshman LaBarryon Moore each had interceptions as well.  The defense held CU (1-2) to 13 first downs and 21 yards on the ground, while the Hawks threw the ball for 202 yards.
 
Both teams punted for three-and-outs on their opening possessions and Chowan punted on its second after gaining its only first down of the half.  VSU took over at its own 45 and Holcomb's pass was intercepted, but CU was called for a roughing the passer penalty giving the ball back to the Blazers.  From there, VSU dominated the rest of the game as the team settled down and matriculated the ball down field as junior Jamontez Woods scored from two yards out on third and goal for a 7-0 lead with 3:55 left in the first quarter.
 
Conner came up with an interception on the ensuing possession for the first pick for the Blazers this season as VSU would then begin at the CU 46.  The special teams came up big with a blocked punt from junior Jaheim Arnold with VSU beginning the drive at the CU 21.  Reddick, Jr., scampered 14 yards for a touchdown and a 14-0 lead with 10:59 left in the quarter.
 
The Blazer "D" stymied CU, once again, and Reddick., Jr scored his second rushing score for a 21-0 lead and senior Eric Watts scored for a 28-0 lead.  Conner came up with his second interception of the game and Woods scored on the ground for a 35-0 lead at the end of the first half.
 
For the half, the Blazers held a 14-1 advantage in first downs, while outgaining CU 217-22 overall and 152-3 on the ground.  Holcomb was 7 of 10 passing for 65 yards.  VSU was 5 of 6 on third down, while CU was 0 of 6.  VSU had one fumble, while Conner had two picks.
 
Reddick, Jr., used a 56-yard run and score on the first possession of the second half and a 42-0 lead with 13:33 remaining in the third quarter.  CU would gain just its second first down of the game on the ensuing possession, but the Blazer defense forced the punt once again.  Junior Andre Hall, Jr., fumbled the return.  Chowan had its best drive to that point as it moved down to the to the VSU 10, but was forced to kick a field goal for a 42-3 score with 5:29 left in the frame.
 
Holcomb connected with sophomore Zak Sedaros for 27-yards and a touchdown for a 49-3 lead as time expired in the quarter.  It was Sedaros' birthday.  VSU tallied its third interception of the game this time from Douglas at the VSU 29 with 10:30 to play.  Blazer junior punter Devin Walter had a 57-yard punt to the CU 1.  The Hawks moved to the VSU 38, but CU quarterback Maruice Smith threw his fourth interception of the game, this time to Moore at the VSU 15.  The first play from scrimmage, Roberson went 85 yards for a 56-3 lead with 2:45 to play. 
 
Smith finished 24 of 42 passing for 202 yards and four interceptions.  Dominic Haney had ten receptions for 107 yards. 
 
The Blazers head into the bye week with the momentum of this win and then will open the 2025 home slate on Saturday, Sept. 27 at 4 p.m. at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium versus UNC Pembroke. 
 
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