PEMBROKE, N.C. – The Valdosta State Blazers suffered their first setback of the season as they fell in a high-scoring affair to UNC-Pembroke on Saturday.
The Braves struck first with a touchdown drive midway through the first quarter. However, the Blazers answered quickly with a six-play drive capped off with a 36-yard touchdown run from
Shawn Paschall.
UNC-Pembroke came back out and faced a 4th-and-8 at the VSU 37. Josh Ehrlich thought he had a completion, but
Devin Ross batted the ball away to force a turnover on downs.
With 40 seconds to go in the quarter, the Blazers quickly drove to the Braves 36-yard line. Then at the beginning of the second quarter,
Justin Franklin found
Joel Houedenou for a touchdown to put VSU in front.
The Blazer defense held the Braves to a three-and-out, and the offense took advantage as they quickly drove back down the field and
Champ Harris hit
Jaheim Arnold for a touchdown.
After a field goal cut the lead to 11, but then a fumble recovered by UNC-Pembroke started pushing the momentum toward the Braves. However, as the offense threatened in the red zone on third down,
Julius Pascal picked off a pass and returned it to the house for a touchdown to push the lead to 27-10.
The Braves scored two more times before the half, with a touchdown and a field goal to make it a seven-point game going into the locker room.
In a mostly scoreless third quarter, UNC-Pembroke made a field goal to cut the lead to four heading into the final quarter. The Braves struck first in the fourth, scoring a touchdown to hold a three-point lead.
The Blazers needed only two plays to respond, as
Champ Harris found Jahiem Arnold for a touchdown to retake the lead. However, UNC-Pembroke fired right back with a score of their own to gain the advantage.
On the ensuing drive, Harris had his pass intercepted, and the Braves took advantage, scoring a touchdown to extend the lead to 10.
Needing a score to regain momentum, Paschall ripped a 45-yard touchdown run to cut the lead to three. UNC-Pembroke regained the ball and began trying to chew clock, but
Rickey Ransom managed to force a fumble and Curtis Janiver recovered the ball to give the Blazers a chance with a 1:58 left.
VSU began driving down the field, making it to the Braves 38-yard line. Facing fourth down, Harris got brought down for a sack, resulting in a turnover on downs, and the first loss of the season for the Blazers.
Harris finished 11-for-22 for 182 yards and two touchdowns, while Paschall rushed 11 times for 155 yards and two touchdowns. On defense, Pascal finished with nine tackles and a pick-six while
Jabari McMillan had eight total tackles and a tackle for loss.
The Blazers will head into a bye week, before they return home for a matchup with Erskine College on Saturday, Oct 3.
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