VALDOSTA, Ga. – Valdosta State scored on eight of its first 12 possessions and held Erskine to 124 total yards in a 56-0 victory Saturday at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium.
VSU took control early. After a pair of three-and-outs, the Blazers marched 62 yards in eight plays, capped by Shawn Paschall's 1-yard rushing touchdown with 4:47 left in the first quarter. Erskine's next snap ended in an interception, and Paschall found the end zone again from 6 yards out to make it 14-0 after one quarter.
VSU scored on all five of its second-quarter possessions. Paschall's 74-yard run opened the quarter, followed by a 1-yard run by Matt Wilson. After a forced fumble from Curtis Janvier gave the Blazers the ball at around midfield, Champ Harris found senior tight end Rowan Darnell for a 16-yard touchdown. Chance Black capped the half with a 1-yard run with 48 seconds left, and Valdosta State led 42-0 at halftime.
Logan Coldren added a 2-yard rushing touchdown run early in the third quarter, and Jameson Holcomb connected with senior Zandae Butler on a 5-yard touchdown pass with 12:04 remaining in the game. Sophomore kicker Adrian Gonzalez made all eight extra-point attempts.
The Blazers piled up 474 yards of offense, including 289 on the ground, and scored six rushing touchdowns and two passing touchdowns. Valdosta State forced five turnovers, from four interceptions and a fumble, and converted them into 21 points.
Paschall led the offense with 94 rushing yards and three touchdowns on eight carries, including a 74-yard score on the first play of the second quarter. Harris completed 10 of 15 passes for 127 yards and a touchdown and added 38 yards on the ground. Holcomb went 6 of 8 for 49 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, Valdosta State recorded four interceptions, six sacks and 13 tackles for loss. Junior linebacker Jayden Bethea led the Blazers with ten tackles, one and a half tackles for loss, a half sack, and an interception for 19-yards. Rico Watkins, LaBarryon Moore and freshman Bentley Ware-Roberson also had interceptions, and Janvier forced a fumble.
Valdosta State is off the next two weeks before hosting Shorter for Homecoming on Oct. 24.
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