Game Notes 2017 Blazer Football Blazer Nation, Rise Up! It’S

GAME NOTES 2017 BLAZER FOOTBALL BLAZER NATION, RISE UP! IT’S

IN VALDOSTA!

RECORD: 0-1, 0-0 GSC AFCA RANKING: RV Saturday, September 16th • 7:00 p.m. HEAD COACH: Kerwin Bell Alma Mater: Florida Valdosta, Ga. • Bazemore-Hyder Stadium 79-41 all-time (11th season) 8-4 at Valdosta State (2nd season) The Blazers look to bounce back this week after a tough 12-29 opening day loss two weeks Sep. 2 at Albany State L, 12-29 ago to the Albany State Golden Rams. The defeat marked the first loss on opening day for VSU football since 2012 and the first loss Sep. 9 Fort Valley State # CANCELLED against Albany State since 2004. An encouraging note for the Blazers is the fact that the program Sep. 16 NORTH ALABAMA 7PM recovered to win the National Championship during each of those two seasons. In addition the Sep. 23 at West Florida 7PM EST Blazers were afforded two weeks of rest heading into tonight’s game, after Hurricane Irma in- Sep. 30 OFF duced a week two cancellation of the Okefenokee Classic against Fort Valley State In order to right the ship, Head Coach Kerwin Bell and his red and black squad will aim to Oct. 7 at West Georgia 2PM solve Gulf South Conference rival North Alabama. Both teams will enter this weekend’s contest Oct. 14 MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE 7PM on the heels of an opening weekend loss, as the Lions fell two weeks ago in a defensive struggle Oct. 21 at Delta State 7PM EST and narrow 8-7 loss to Texas A&M Commerce. Oct. 28 FLORIDA TECH 7PM The contest extends well beyond conference implications in tonight’s GSC opener for both Nov. 4 WEST ALABAMA 3PM teams, as both programs are currently in the discussion among the top 25 teams in the country, Nov. 11 at Shorter 1:30PM according to the most recent American Football Coaches’ Association poll. The Lions rank No. 11 overall, while the Blazers are receiving votes. all times Eastern *GSC Barring a postseason matchup later this year, this contest could be the last Division II matchup ^ Okefenokee Classic in Waycross, Ga. between the longstanding rivals, as the Lions will move up to the Division I ranks following the # Homecoming conclusion of the 2017 season. The Blazers will be looking to make the showdown a memorable one in an effort to avenge a stinging loss to the Lions in last year’s early season matchup in Flor- ence, Ala.

RECORD: 0-1, 0-0 GSC AFCA RANKING: 11 • Valdosta State is now in its 36th year of intercollegiate football and owns an overall HEAD COACH: Chris Willis record of 272 wins, 122 losses and four ties. Alma Mater: Delta State • The rivalry between the Blazers and the Lions is arguably the most storied in Valdosta 0-0 at North Alabama (1st season) State history. The two programs have squared off in each of the 35 years of VSU football and have faced each other six times in postseason play. Tonight’s contest marks AUG. 31 TEXAS A&M-COMMERCE 6PM the 42nd all-time, with the Lions holding a 24-16-1 advantage. Oddly enough, the Sep. 16 Valdosta State* 6PM visiting team has won eight of the last ten games between the Lions and the Blazers. SEP. 23 WEST ALABAMA* 6PM Saturday’s showdown also marks the first ever Gulf South Conference matchup for Sep. 30 West Georgia* 1PM UNA Head Coach Chris Willis. Willis is in his first year at UNA and is following up OCT. 7 FLORIDA TECH* 6PM the legendary Bobby Wallace, who retired after leading the Lions to the NCAA DII Oct. 14 Shorter* 12:30PM Championship game to close out his career in 2016. Oct. 21 Central Washington 3PM • Both teams are coming off of a two-week rest period, although the Blazers’ off-week was not a scheduled one. Due to Hurricane Irma, Valdosta State was forced to cancel OCT. 28 DELTA STATE* 6PM the Okefenokee Classic last weekend in Waycross, Ga. The poor weather conditions Nov. 4 West Florida* 4PM altered the Blazers’ normal practice schedule through Wednesday, when VSU re- NOV. 11 MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE* 1:30PM sumed normal operations. all times Central *GSC • Tonight’s contest marks the second straight year in which the Lions and Blazers open up conference play against one another. The two teams have faced each other twice Listen live in Valdosta on Talk 92.1 FM in the same season, with playoff games against each other six times in the history of or streaming at www.talk921.com. the two programs. Additional coverage links and live stats located at VSU Media Relations • (229) 333-5903 • www.vstateblazers.com www.vstateblazers.com Football Contact: Matt Malone ([email protected]) 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004 AND 2010 GULF SOUTH CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS 1 2017 BLAZER FOOTBALL GAME NOTES

BLAZER FOOTBALL VS UNA... PREVIOUSLY, ON BLAZER FOOTBALL... Date Record H/A/N Opponent Score The Valdosta State football team suffered a 29-12 10/30/82 0-1 H NORTH ALABAMA L, 53-7 loss to the Albany State Golden Rams on Saturday 10/29/83 0-2 A at North Alabama L, 27-0 night in Albany, Ga., marking the Blazers’ first loss in 11/17/84 0-3 H NORTH ALABAMA L, 35-24 a season opener since the 2012 National Championship 11/23/85 0-4 A at North Alabama L, 45-0 campaign. The Blazers struggled to find rhythm offensively, due 11/22/86 1-4 H NORTH ALABAMA W, 24-7 in large part to the effort of the Albany State defense, 11/21/87 1-5 A at North Alabama L, 17-16 which gave the Golden Rams a defensive score within 11/12/88 2-5 H NORTH ALABAMA W, 35-28 the first three minutes of the game for a lead they would 11/11/89 3-5 A at North Alabama W, 24-10 never relinquish. 11/10/90 3-6 H NORTH ALABAMA L, 26-10 Adam Robles connected with Tshumbi Johnson on 11/16/91 4-6 A at North Alabama W, 34-17 the opening drive for a first down on third-and-four, 11/14/92 4-6-1 H NORTH ALABAMA T, 24-24 and Jordan Germany kept the momentum alive with a 16 yard reception for another first down near midfield. 11/06/93 4-7-1 H NORTH ALABAMA L, 31-21 Free safety Nick Scott turned the tables on the Blazer 11/05/94 4-8-1 A at North Alabama L, 38-21 offense on the next set of downs, however, after the 11/26/94 4-9-1 A at North Alabama* L, 27-24 (2ot) senior picked off a pass and returned it 75 yards to give 10/28/95 4-10-1 A at North Alabama L, 26-9 ASU a 7-0 lead. 10/05/96 5-10-1 H NORTH ALABAMA W, 34-31 (3ot) The remainder of the first half turned into a defensive 10/04/97 6-10-1 A at North Alabama W, 21-0 struggle, with the only additional points coming by way 11/07/98 6-11-1 H NORTH ALABAMA L, 35-7 of a 22-yard Gabriel Ballinas field goal. The kick came late in the first quarter and represented the final score 11/06/99 6-12-1 A at North Alabama L, 31-28 of the opening half. 10/28/00 7-12-1 A at North Alabama W, 45-21 Trailing 10-0 after the break, the Black Swarm came 10/27/01 8-12-1 H NORTH ALABAMA W, 54-7 out strong with another defensive stop, but ASU’s de- 11/02/02 9-12-1 A at North Alabama W, 45-28 fense matched the effort with a stop of their own. The 11/01/03 9-13-1 H NORTH ALABAMA L, 17-10 Golden Ram offense used the opportunity in the third 10/23/04 10-13-1 A at North Alabama W, 24-20 quarter to string together a lengthy 51-yard drive and 10/20/05 11-13-1 H NORTH ALABAMA W, 26-23 set up Ballinas’ second field goal of the game, a 41-yard 11/12/05 11-14-1 H NORTH ALABAMA* L, 40-13 strike to give ASU a 13-0 advantage. Robles looked to settle in on the following drive and 10/28/06 11-15-1 A at North Alabama L, 31-24 (ot) completed three passes to move the Blazers into ASU 10/27/07 12-15-1 H NORTH ALABAMA W, 27-24 territory before Jalen Bush gave the Golden Rams their 12/01/07 13-15-1 H NORTH ALABAMA* W, 37-23 third interception of the contest. Bush’s 15-yard return 10/25/08 13-16-1 A at North Alabama L, 41-23 after the pick set ASU up for their first offensive touch- 11/22/08 13-17-1 A at North Alabama* L, 37-10 down of the game, which came less than two minutes 10/22/09 13-18-1 H NORTH ALABAMA L, 62-27 later on a touchdown pass from Chancel Johnson to 10/14/10 14-18-1 A at North Alabama W, 5-0 Quadrey Simmons. Head Coach Kerwin Bell turned to redshirt freshman 11/20/10 14-19-1 H NORTH ALABAMA* L, 43-20 Rogan Wells for the second time in the game during 11/12/11 14-20-1 H NORTH ALABAMA L, 30-23 the fourth quarter, and he answered the call with two 10/13/12 15-20-1 A at North Alabama W, 24-21 touchdown passes, both to freshman Brian Saunds. The 10/26/13 15-21-1 H NORTH ALABAMA L, 57-7 scores were too little too late, however, as ASU held on 09/27/14 15-22-1 A at North Alabama L, 29-31 throughout the final frame. 11/22/14 16-22-1 A at North Alabama* W, 33-31 Statistically, the Blazers outmatched the Golden 10/3/15 16-23-1 H NORTH ALABAMA L, 12-34 Rams on offense with 311 yards against an even 300 for ASU. Albany State managed the game on the ground, 09/17/16 16-24-1 A at North Alabama L, 19-44 however, with over 200 rushing yards. In addition, the Golden Rams won the turnover game, thanks to the three Valdosta State Average Points: 21.9 (900 total) aforementioned interceptions by the ASU secondary. North Alabama Average Points: 28.6 (1172 total) The loss for VSU represented their second all-time in Valdosta: North Alabama leads 12-7-1 to the Golden Rams, with the Blazers’ only other loss in Florence: North Alabama leads 12-9 in the series taking place in the 2004 season opener. Later that same season, Valdosta State went on to defeat in the NCAA Playoffs: North Alabama leads 4-2 ASU in the playoffs en route to the program’s first ever *NCAA Playoff Game national championship.

2 2004, 2007 AND 2012 NCAA DIVISION II CHAMPIONS GAME NOTES 2017 BLAZER FOOTBALL

IN THE NATIONAL POLLS... D2FOOTBALL.COM Pos. Team AMERICAN FOOTBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION 1 Northwest Missouri 15-0 Pos. Team (1st place votes) Record Points Final Pos. 2 Ferris State 12-3 1. Northwest Missouri St. (34) 2-0 850 1 3 Grand Valley 12-1 2. Ferris St. (Mich.) 1-0 810 2 4 Emporia State 11-2 3. Texas A&M-Commerce 2-0 782 3 5 North Alabama 11-2 4. Shepherd (W.Va.) 1-0 715 4 5. California (Pa.) 2-0 703 5 6 Texas A&M-Commerce 10-2 6. Indiana (Pa.) 2-0 674 6 7 Shepherd 13-1 7. Sioux Falls (S.D.) 2-0 617 9 8 Minnesota Duluth 10-2 8. Minnesota St. 2-0 561 12 9 IUP 10-2 9. LIU-Post (N.Y.) 2-0 560 10 10 Harding 13-1 10. North Alabama 0-1 532 11 11 California 11-1 11. Colorado Mesa 2-0 453 17 12 CSU-Pueblo 8-3 12. Grand Valley St. (Mich.) 1-1 417 14 13 Valdosta State 8-3 13. Midwestern St. (Texas) 1-0 402 16 14 Azusa Pacific 9-3 14. Emporia St. (Kan.) 1-1 397 15 15 Sioux Falls 12-1 15. Indianapolis (Ind.) 2-0 389 18 16 Minnesota State 8-3 16. Albany St. (Ga.) 2-0 369 20 17 Bemidji State 9-3 17. West Georgia 2-0 261 25 18 Ashland 9-2 18. Colorado St.-Pueblo 1-1 244 7 19 LIU-Post 12-1 19. Arkansas Tech 2-0 180 NR 20 Central Missouri 9-3 20. Minnesota-Duluth 1-1 171 21 21 Colorado Mines 10-3 21. Fort Hays St. (Kan.) 2-0 152 NR 22 Midwestern State 8-3 22. Azusa Pacific (Calif.) 1-1 115 8 23 UNC-Pembroke 10-2 23. Central Washington 2-0 103 NR 24 Southern Arkansas 9-3 24. Delta St. (Miss.) 2-0 92 NR 25 West Chester 8-3 25. Slippery Rock (Pa.) 2-0 69 NR Others Receiving Votes: Humboldt St. (Calif.), 65; Bowie St. (Md.), 58; Carson-Newman (Tenn.), 58; Assumption (Mass.), 43; Ashland (Ohio), 37; Central Missouri, 24; Angelo St. (Texas), 18; Eastern New Mexico, 18; West Texas A&M, 18; Catawba (N.C.), 17; Colorado Mines, 11; Virginia-Wise, 8; Winona St. (Minn.), 8; West Chester (Pa.), 7; Hillsdale (Mich.), 6; Valdosta St. (Ga.), 6; Virginia St., 6; Tuskegee (Ala.), 5; Winston-Salem St. (N.C.), 5; Florida Tech, 4; Washburn (Kan.), 3; Bemidji St. (Minn.), 2; Henderson St. (Ark.), 2; Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.), 2; Virginia Union, 1.

ALL TIME HIGHS VS. NORTH ALABAMA...

Rushing A-YDS Year Receiving R-YDS Year Austin Scott 19-187 2014 C.J. Lofton 14-163 2000 Tyran Robinson 12-151 2001 Rodney Brown 9-152 1996 Vincent Brown 24-137 2005 Cedric Jones 9-145 2007 Aaron Jenkins 18-134 2001 Randy Fisher 4-136 1986 Cedric O’Neal 23-123 2012 Randy Fisher 6-136 1987

Passing C-A-I-YDS Year Tackles S-A-Total Year Dusty Bonner 34-43-1-422 2000 William Montford 9-10-19 2006 Lance Funderburk 28-51-2-386 1996 Jesse Sutton 5-12-17 1996 Dusty Bonner 18-25-0-326 2001 Tony Hill 7-9-16 1993 Willie Copeland 32-49-2-325 2006 Four with 14 Lance Funderburk 39-61-2-279 1995

1996, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004 AND 2010 GULF SOUTH CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS 3 2017 BLAZER FOOTBALL ROSTERS

No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. Hometown Previous School 1 Dallas Baldner WR 6-0 192 Sr. Homosassa, Fla. Crystal River HS 1 Guito Ervilus DT 6-4 260 Jr. Orlando, Fla. South Florida 2 Andre Johnson CB 5-11 191 Sr. Ocala, Fla. Trinity Catholic HS 4 Kenny Benjamin WR 5-7 178 Fr. Lehigh Acres, Fla. Dunbar HS 5 Ron Johnson RB 5-11 205 Sr. Naples, Fla. Conneticuit 6 Shane Henderson WR 6-0 200 Sr. Columbus, Ind. Allan Hancock JC 6 Malik Slater LB 6-0 232 Sr. Tallahassee, Fla. Jacksonville Univ. 7 Nick Davis RB 5-11 187 Sr. Bolingbroke, Ga. Mary Persons HS 8 De’Sean Blair WR 6-4 190 Sr. Jacksonville Fla. Missouri 8 Donte Taylor DB 5-10 160 Sr. Bradenton, Fla. Bayshore HS 9 Tshumbi Johnson WR 5-11 194 Sr. Immokalee, Fla. Cincinnati 9 Sharmaine WashingtonLB 6-0 225 Sr. Moultrie, Ga. Colquitt County HS 10 Stephen Denmark CB 6-4 210 Jr. Tallahassee, Fla. James S. Rickards HS 11 Josh Ealy DE 6-4 230 Sr. Vero, Fla. Delaware State 12 Adam Robles QB 6-3 215 Jr. Ocala, Fla. South Florida 13 John Marvin DB 6-1 200 Sr. Fort Walton Beach, Fla. Georgia Tech 14 Brandon Roe DB 6-1 195 Sr. Douglas, Ga. Coffee County HS 15 Steve Durosier CB 6-0 185 Jr. Miami, Fla. Southeast Missouri State 16 Rogan Wells QB 6-3 205 So. Fort Mill, S.C. Fort Mill HS 19 Quahlin Patterson RB 5-9 195 Jr. Orange Park, Fla. Presbyterian College 20 Jordan Germany RB 5-10 210 Sr. Decatur, Ga. Grayson HS 21 Terrance Bryant DB 6-2 215 Sr. Fort Walton Beach, Fla. Jacksonville Univ. 22 Willie Fletcher CB 6-3 205 Sr. Carson, Calif. Cerritos College 23 Isaiah Johnson WR 5-11 180 So. Lake Butler, Fla. Union County HS 24 Alex Brown DB 5-9 160 So. Valdosta, Ga. Lowndes HS 25 Dondre Butler RB 6-0 155 Fr. Daytona Beach, Fla. Spruce Creek HS 26 Jairus Jones CB 6-1 189 Fr. Mobile, Ala. Central Gwinnett HS 27 Cedric Hollingshed RB 6-0 209 Jr. Macon, Ga. Westside HS QB 16 Rogan Wells 12 Adam Robles 28 Raymond Palmer SS 5-9 188 Sr. Darien, Ga. McIntosh County Aca. 29 Decary Croaker SS 6-1 196 Fr. Orlando, Fla. West Orange HS RB 20 Jordan Germany 5 Ron Johnson 30 Taurus Dotson DB 5-10 180 Fr. Miami, Fla. Miami NW Senior HS FB 36 Stewart Spence 87 Kenny Henningsen 31 J’voski Barti CB 6-0 154 Fr. Dublin, Ga. Coconut Creek HS 32 Eric Ross II S 5-10 175 Fr. Lithonia, Ga. Arabia Mountain HS XWR 8 Desean Blair 81 Travon Roberts 33 Gaughf Ivey LB 5-11 186 Sr. Albany, Ga. Deerfield-Windsor 34 Stephon Williams LB 6-1 225 So. St. Petersburg, Fla. SE Missouri St. YWR 80 Jamarcus Tyson 9 Tshumbi Johnson 35 Damon Daniel DB 5-10 202 Fr. Lakeworth, Fla. Oxbridge Academy ZWR 1 Dallas Baldner 84 Lio’undre Gallimore 36 Stewart Spence LB 5-11 220 Jr. Madison, Ga. Morgan County HS 37 Jared Pryor DB 6-2 200 Fr. Powder Springs, Ga. Hillgrove HS LT 57 Brandon Kemp 72 Travion Wallace 39 Kenneth Johnson SS 5-11 181 Jr. Albany, Ga. Dougherty HS LG 55 Josh Allen 77 Jacob Baker 41 Andrew Gray K 6-0 165 Jr. Johns Creek, Ga. Chattahoochee HS 41 Norman Thrasher CB 6-1 175 So. Decatur, Ga. Miller Grove HS C 69 Jeremy King 61 JT Black 42 Kahari Richards DB 6-0 190 So. Riverdale, Ga. Charles Drew HS 43 Antonio Keuma WR 6-1 200 So. Valdosta, Ga. Valdosta HS RG 78 Kevin Battle 62 Austin White 44 Calvin Howard RB 5-10 205 Jr. Perry, Ga. Los Angeles Pierce College RT 71 Andrew Marshall 76 Toa Lavatai 45 David Brown LB 6-0 220 Jr. North Charleston, S.C. Eastern Arizona CC 46 Mondrell Jefferson SS 5-9 185 So. Sanderson, Fla. Baker County HS 47 Brent Wildes LS 6-0 201 Sr. Folkston, Ga. Charlton County HS 48 Alex Williams DE 6-0 235 Jr. Moultrie, Ga. Colquitt County HS 49 Josh Turner OL 6-0 255 Sr. Douglasville, Ga. Alexander HS 50 Tyler Wallace LB 5-11 219 So. Ocala, Fla. West Port HS LCB 15 Steve Durosier 8 Donte Taylor 51 Shaun Rountree LB 6-0 215 Fr. Leesburg, Ga. Lee County HS FS 14 Brandon Roe 29 Decary Croaker 52 Jeffery Stokes DE 6-0 235 Jr. Cape Coral, Fla. Jacksonville University 53 Marcus Webb RB 5-10 198 Jr. Hoover, Ala. Hoover HS RCB 28 Raymond Palmer 21 Terrance Bryant 54 Sam DiRoberto LB 6-0 205 Fr. Woodstock, Ga. Roswell HS FS 2 Andre Johnson 31 J’Voski Bartee 55 Joshua Allen OG 6-2 300 Jr. Jacksonville, Fla. Arkansas 56 Donte Carpenter LB 5-10 215 Fr. Sebring, Fla. Sebring HS S 13 John Marvin 33 Gaughf Ivey 57 Brandon Kemp OL 6-6 235 So. Stone Mountain, Ga. Columbia HS 58 D’Von McCullough DL 6-3 215 Fr. DeLand, Fla. Deltona HS MLB 6 Malik Slater 45 David Brown 59 Dalton Mydell LB 6-0 225 Jr. Rincon, Ga. Savannah State WLB 9 Sharmaine Washington 34 Stephon Williams 60 Cam Morgan OL 6-3 300 Jr. Fitzgerald, Ga. Stetson 61 John Black C 6-1 300 So. Hawkinsville, Ga. Peach County HS DE 48 Alex Williams 52 Jeff Stokes 62 Austin White OL 6-3 312 So. Quitman, Ga. Brooks County HS DT 63 Terrance Lovett T 6-2 300 Fr. Amittyville, N.Y. St. Augustine HS 1 Guito Ervilus 92 Jadavien Williams 64 Emenike Ikpa OL 6-0 305 Fr. Lawrenceville, Ga Dacula HS NT 75 Joe Mozone 97 Sherman Hart 65 Evan Pulawski OL 6-5 300 Jr. Bradenton, Fla. Iowa Central CC 66 Josh Adams OT 6-3 313 Sr. Kennesaw, Ga. Harrison HS DE 11 Josh Ealy 93 Iseoluwapo Jegede 67 Cass Cole OL 6-4 295 So. Spring Hill, Fla. Nature Coast Tech HS 68 Steven Rix T 6-4 280 Fr. Tampa, Fla. 69 Jeremy King OT 6-1 327 Sr. Macon, Ga. Westside HS 71 Andrew Marshall OT 6-8 330 Sr. Ellendale, Del. Milford HS 72 Travion Wallace OL 6-6 275 Sr. Tampa, Fla. Jacksonville K 41 Andrew Gray 74 Preston Langley OL 6-4 300 Jr. Bogart, Ga. North Oconee HS P 98 Gavin Wilson 75 Joseph Mozone DT 6-1 328 So. North Augusta, S.C. North Augusta HS 76 Toa Lavatai OL 6-4 285 So. Jacksonville, Fla. Creekside HS LS 47 Brent Wildes 77 Jacob Baker OT 6-6 349 So. Leesburg, Ga. Lee County HS 78 Kevin Battle OL 6-4 337 Sr. Orlando, Fla. Jacksonville University KR 26 Jairus Jones 10 Stephen Denmark 79 Tikere Ralands DL 6-5 260 Sr. Niagara Falls, N.Y. Monroe College PR 4 Kenny Benjamin 80 Jamarcus Tyson WR 6-3 202 So. Valdosta, Ga. Valdosta HS 81 Travon Roberts WR 5-10 170 Fr. Miami, Fla. Mater Academy 82 Marik Merine WR 5-10 165 So. Valdosta, Ga. Valwood HS 83 Brian Saunds WR 5-10 177 Fr. Darien, Ga. Coastal Georgia Kerwin Bell – Head Coach 84 Lio’undre Gallimore WR 5-10 165 Fr. Miami Gardens, Fla. Mater Academy Jeremy Darveau – Offensive Line/Recruiting Coordinator 85 Troy Lilly TE 6-4 230 Fr. Kenner, La. Bonnable HS Danny Verpaele – Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers 86 Austin Leach WR 6-2 205 So. Sarasota, Fla. Fullerton College David Rowe – Defensive Backs 87 Kenneth Henningsen FB 6-3 210 Fr. Parkland, Fla. North Broward Prep Willie Tillman – Defensive Line 89 Isaiah Wilson WR 6-1 180 Fr. Gainesville, Fla. Gainesville HS 90 Barry Jackson DE 6-1 225 Fr. Darien, Ga. McIntosh County Aca. Kerry Webb – Running Backs/Special Teams 91 Jaalen Ford DE 6-4 230 Fr. Jacksonville, Fla. Jean Ribault HS Kade Bell – Graduate Assistant/Quarterbacks 92 Jadavian Williams OL 6-2 255 Jr. Haines City, Fla. Ridge Community HS Craig Brodsky – Graduate Assistant/Nickels and Quality Control 93 Iseoluwapo Jegede DE 6-6 245 Jr. Lagos, Nigeria Central Florida Josh Fletcher – Intern/Special Teams 94 Torey Jenkins DE 6-4 225 Fr. Jacksonville, Fla. Raines HS Graduate Assistant/Defensive Line 95 Henry Pryor DL 6-3 300 Sr. Summerville, S.C. Brevard College TJ Jenkins – 96 Vanden Fehmerling TE 6-4 225 Fr. Chiefland, Fla. Chiefland HS Larry Murphy – Student Assistant/Defensive Backs 97 Sherman Hart DL 6-0 290 So. Jacksonville, Fla. Englewood HS John Peacock – Student Assistant/Defensive Line 98 Dallas Anthony LB 6-2 200 Fr. Darien, Ga. McIntosh County Aca. Andrew Robustelli – Graduate Assistant/Wide Receivers 98 Gavin Wilson K/P 6-0 196 Jr. Thomasville, Ga. Thomas Co. Central Trent Turknett – Graduate Assistant/Offensive Analyst 4 2004, 2007 AND 2012 NCAA DIVISION II CHAMPIONS ROSTERS 2017 BLAZER FOOTBALL

No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. Hometown Previous School 1 A.J. Bracey DB 5-10 181 SO Raymond, Miss. Jones County CC 2 Joshua Amanfo LB 6-0 213 JR Rex, Ga. Eastern Arizona 3 Ja’mal Jackson WR 5-9 166 SO Hartselle, Ala. Hartselle 4 Maurice Carnell CB 5-11 180 SR San Diego, Calif. Grossmont College 5 Kenneth Steele LB 5-10 198 JR Goodyear, Ariz. Mesa CC 6 Dorsey Norris S 6-1 225 SR Honolulu, Hawaii Southwestern 7 Blake Hawkins QB 6-5 212 SO Florence, Ala. Florence 8 Josh Thurman DB 5-11 190 JR Greenwood, Miss. Northeast MS CC 9 Austin Hicks WR 6-3 230 JR Gardendale, Ala. Tennessee Tech 10 Dre Hall WR 6-1 190 SR Columbia, Tenn. Columbia Central 11 Donzell Polite WR 5-8 162 JR Tampa, Fla. Wyoming 12 Rico Bruton QB 6-3 207 JR Atlanta, Ga. Mt. San Antonio 13 Chris Johnson S 6-3 200 JR Birmingham, Ala. Albany Univ. 14 Hagan Scott WR 6-2 198 SR Birmingham, Ala. Hoover 15 Will Lovelace LS 5-11 200 SR Florence, Ala. Florence 16 Jalen Dread LB 5-10 221 SO Foley, Ala. South Carolina 17 Alex Norwood WR 6-2 187 JR Tupelo, Miss. Northwest MS CC 18 Matt Markham QB 5-9 192 JR Columbia, Tenn. Columbia Central 19 Dwain Smith CB 5-8 166 R-FR Muscle Shoals, Ala. Muscle Shoals 20 Johnnie Anderson LB 6-0 225 JR Athens, Ala. Tennessee Tech 21 Terence Humphrey RB 6-2 220 SO Huntsville, Ala. Columbia 22 Malik Emmett FB 5-10 216 SO Mobile, Ala. McGill-Toolen 23 Jarrod Reedus S 5-10 175 SO Birmingham, Ala. Clay-Chalkville 24 Damon Cox RB 5-9 204 JR Germantown, Tenn. Germantown QB 7 Blake Hawkins 12 Rico Bruton 25 Christon Taylor LB 6-0 220 FR Hoover, Ala. Hoover RB 24 Damon Cox 21 Terence Humphrey 26 C.J. Sturdivant RB 5-9 204 FR Hoover, Ala. Hoover FB 43 Rodney Held 22 Malik Emmett 27 Jalin Greene CB 6-0 168 JR Mobile, Ala. St. Paul’s 28 Nick Taylor RB 5-8 157 SR Letohatchee, Ala. Murray State XWR 85 Delvon Carpenter 9 Austin Hicks 29 Nick Nichols DB 6-2 185 JR Morton, Miss. East Central CC YWR 17 Alex Norwood 11 Donzell Polite 30 Chris Herise DL 6-4 250 JR Miami, Fla. San Diego Mesa CC 31 Lyndon Harris S 5-11 188 R-FR Jasper, Ala. Walker ZWR 10 Dre Hall 3 Ja’mal Jackson 32 Kelvin Thomas S 6-0 190 JR Castilla, Miss. Copiah Lincoln CC LT 77 Devin McCallister 75 Tobias Payne 33 Tyler Jeffreys QB 5-11 199 R-FR Leighton, Ala. Colbert Co. 34 Lamar Lee CB 5-9 171 SO Florence, Ala. Florence LG 60 Cole Hardin 51 Cody Mann 35 Jaylan Daniels DE 6-4 220 SR Vienna, Ga. South Alabama C 70 Lance Harrod 72 Colton Wadkins 36 Tanner Fink TE 6-2 245 SR Prospect, Ky. Kentucky RG 62 Devaris Nalls 76 Jay Letatu 37 Will Minor S 5-9 171 SR Tuscumbia, Ala. Deshler 38 Quavay Kohlheim CB 5-8 133 SR Shannon, Miss. Shannon RT 74 Khadedryck Todd 65 Noah Stem 39 Chandler Carrera K/P 6-1 185 JR Charlotesville, Va. Glenville State 40 Brian Puckett DE 6-3 244 SR Rogersville, Ala. Lauderdale County 41 Will Singleton CB 5-11 153 FR Hoover, Ala. Hoover 42 Christian Davis LB 6-2 217 JR Pelham, Ala. Pelham 43 Rodney Held FB 6-0 217 SR Hazel Green, Ala. Hazel Green DE 99 Maurice Burton 40 Brian Puckett 44 Will Evans LB 6-2 210 FR Haleyville, Ala. Haleyville DT 90 Frank Williams 96 Brady Owensby 45 Jamal Cox LB 5-11 195 R-FR Germantown, Tenn. Houston NT 92 Freddie Reed 73 Eddquerion Harris 46 Blake Bean TE 6-2 231 JR Oneonta, Ala. Oneonta 47 Jarrod Kennemore S 5-11 195 SO Huntsville, Ala. Johnson DE 52 Jaylin Dailey 35 Jaylan Daniels 48 Gunnar Jones K/P 5-10 170 R-FR Rogersville, Ala. Lauderdale County SLB 5 Kenneth Steele 44 Will Evans 49 Austin Underwood LS 6-1 278 SO Tuscumbia, Ala. Deshler 50 Ken Hibbett LB 6-0 222 R-FR Florence, Ala. Mars Hill Bible MLB 25 Christon Taylor 16 Jalen Dread 51 Cody Mann OL 6-1 309 SO Winfield, Ala. Winfield WLB 2 Joshua Amanfo 20 Johnnie Anderson 52 Jaylin Dailey DE 6-1 250 JR Montgomery, Ala. MS Gulf Coast CC 53 Jake Whitehead LB 6-1 205 R-FR Killen, Ala. Brooks LCB 8 Josh Thurman 19 Dwain Smith 54 Waid Miller LB 6-0 254 JR Hartselle, Ala. Hartselle SS 13 Chris Johnson 23 Jarrod Reedus 55 Dawson Cazola OL 6-2 295 FR Gardendale, Ala. Gardendale FS 6 Dorsey Norris 32 Kelvin Thomas 56 Jay Hughes DE 6-2 232 SO Daphne, Ala. Daphne 60 Cole Hardin OL 6-4 305 JR Florence, Ala. Vanderbilt RCB 4 Maurice Carnell 1 AJ Bracey 62 DeVaris Nalls OL 6-3 300 SO Fayette, Ala. Murray State 65 Noah Stern OL 6-3 290 R-FR Huntsville, Ala. Huntsville 70 Lance Harrod OL 6-1 300 SR Plains, Ga. Point University 71 Centerio Jones OL 6-3 325 JR Horn Lake, Miss. Itawamba CC K 39 Chandler Carrera 88 Joe Gurley 72 Colton Wadkins OL 6-3 300 R-FR Mobile, Ala. St. Paul’s 73 Eddquerion Harris DT 6-0 317 JR Courtland, Ala. R.A. Hubbard P 88 Joe Gurley 39 Chandler Carrera 74 Khadedryck Todd OL 6-4 295 JR Hattiesburg, Miss. Jones CC LS 15 Wil Lovelace 49 Alex Underwood 75 Tobias Payne OL 6-5 260 SR Decatur, Ala. Austin H 18 Matt Markham 88 Joe Gurley 76 Jay Letatu OL 6-3 339 JR Fremont, Calif. San Mateo CC 77 Devin McCallister OL 6-3 315 JR Ypsilanti, Mich. North Dakota St. KR 1 AJ Bracey 10 Dre Hall 80 Cooper Constan WR 6-4 215 SO Huntsville, Ala. Huntsville PR 1 AJ Bracey 3 Ja’mal Jackson 81 Adam Terry TE 6-3 226 R-FR Hillsboro, Ala. East Lawrence 82 Josh Draper LB 5-11 239 R-FR Huntsville, Ala. Lee 83 Jack Peavey WR 5-10 185 FR Oxford, Ala. Oxford Chris Willis - Head Coach 84 Seth Robinson WR 5-10 185 R-FR Addison, Ala. Addison Brett Borden - Defensive Coordinator 85 Delvon Carpenter WR 6-1 175 JR Houston, Texas New Mexico Military Blake Farris - Defensive Backs 86 Jakobi Byrd WR 5-8 175 FR Florence, Ala. Florence Gabe Poe - Linebacker 87 Cortez Hall WR 6-1 195 FR Hoover, Ala. Hoover Zach Lisko - Defensive Line 88 Joe Gurley K/P 6-2 200 FR Killen, Ala. Brooks Jack Gilmore - Graduate Assistant/Defensive Backs 89 Rashad Nelson WR 6-2 173 R-FR Madison, Ala. Bob Jones Steadman Campbell - Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks 90 Frank Williams DT 6-2 269 JR Madison, Ala. Madison Academy Scott Harper - Offensive Line/Run Game Coordinator 91 Malik Adams FB 5-8 204 SO Pueblo, Colo. Cenntinal Drew Hall - Receivers 92 Freddie Reed DT 6-0 309 SR West Point, Miss. West Point Ben Thomas - Offensive Line 93 Colby Knoblock DL 6-1 255 SO Red Bay, Ala. Red Bay Mitch Stults - Graduate Assistant/Running Backs 94 Jakob Terry FB 5-11 206 R-FR Moulton, Ala. Lawrence County Mike King - Kickers 96 Brady Owensby DE 6-2 273 SO Gardendale, Ala. Gardendale 97 John Everett DE 5-10 220 SO Addison, Ala. Addison 99 Maurice Burton, Jr. DL 6-1 250 JR Chicago, Ill. Scottsdale CC 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004 AND 2010 GULF SOUTH CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS 5 2017 BLAZER FOOTBALL COACHING STAFF

erwin Bell is set to begin his second season at the helm ofK the Valdosta State football program, aiming to follow a strong 2016 outing during which he led the Blazers to their sixth playoff appearance in the last eight years. Head Football Coach In 2016, Bell picked up right where his predecessor left off and overcame an abbreviated recruiting season to navigate PERSONAL: the Blazers to an 8-3 record. His offense-driven approach to Born June 15, 1965 in Live Oak, Fla. the game paid dividends for VSU, as the team earned hosting Wife: Cosette Children (Kade, 23, Kolton, 20, and Kenzley, 15) rights for the first round of the NCAA Division II Playoffs. EDUCATION: Furthermore, Bell’s defense was a force to be reckoned The University of Florida, 1987; (B.S. Psychology) with, as the program’s secondary led the nation with 27 COACHING EXPERIENCE interceptions. • Nine-year tenure at Jacksonville University resulted in 66-35 record • 2008 & 2010 Pioneer Football League Champions Bell, a Mayo, Fla. native and graduate of Lafayette County • 2008 PFL Coach of the Year High School, brought extensive coaching experience to • Led Trinity Catholic HS (Ocala) to a 45-15 record from 2001-2006 Valdosta State in 2016 after having coached at Jacksonville • Toronto Argonauts Offensive Coordinator (2000-2001) University for nine years, while leading the NCAA Football • University of Florida Graduate Assistant (1990) Championship Series program to a 66-35 record during his time there. Under his direction, the Dolphins won two Pioneer Football League championships, set a PFL record with 16 consecutive wins, and led the team to the best record in school history during the Dolphins’ 10-1 run in 2010.

His responsibilities at JU included roles as the team’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, which produced a high- powered offense that led to big numbers in each of his nine seasons. During the aforementioned 2010 PFL championship season, Jacksonville led the nation in total offense with an average of 486 yards per game and also in scoring with an average of 42.2 points per game.

Bell’s coaching experience dates back to 1990, when he began his coaching career as a graduate assistant coach under Steve Spurrier at the University of Florida, where he also played from 1983-87 while earning a Psychology degree and serving as the team’s quarterback. In his four years as a Gator, Bell constructed a career that consisted of an SEC Freshman of the Year honor in 1984 after leading the Gators to a 9-1-1 record. He accumulated 7,586 career passing yards and 56 touchdowns in his time at Florida, which ultimately landed him in the UF Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997.

After completing a professional playing career in the 1990’s that included time in the National Football League, the Canadian Football League, and the World League of American Football, Bell returned to a coaching career as an offensive coordinator for the Toronto Argonauts, where he served for two seasons before coaching at Trinity Catholic High School in Ocala, Fla. until his time began at JU, where he posted 9-2 records in both 2014 and 2015.

6 2004, 2007 AND 2012 NCAA DIVISION II CHAMPIONS COACHING STAFF 2017 BLAZER FOOTBALL

Bell’s collegiate playing career started at the University of Florida with 18 wins and just two losses during his freshman and sophomore seasons. His performance during those two years led to a Southeast- ern Conference Player of the Year award as a freshman in 1984, and he earned First-Team All-SEC honors the following year in 1985. In his four years as a Gator, Bell threw for 7,585 yards and 56 touchdowns. He was inducted into the UF Ath- letic Hall of Fame in 1997 as a “Gator Great”, and In 2006, The Gainesville Sun sportswriters placed him No. 26 on the list of 100 greatest Gators of all time. Bell went on to play profession- Photo: Florida Times Union ally in both the NFL and the CFL.

Year School Overall Conference Conference Postseason Record Record Ranking NFL SIGNEES JACKSONVILLE UNIVERSITY Name Year 2007 Jacksonville 3-8 2-5 T-6th Kenny Moore (New England) 2016 University Donatello Brown (Green Bay) 2016 2008 Jacksonville 9-4 7-1 1st Gridiron Classic Jamar Simpkins (San Francisco) 2016 University ALL-AMERICANS 2009 Jacksonville 7-4 6-2 T-3rd Name Year University Kenny Moore 2016 2010 Jacksonville 10-1 8-0 T-1st ALL-GULF SOUTH CONFERENCE University Name Year 2011 Jacksonville 7-4 6-2 3rd University Brandon Kemp 2016 2012 Jacksonville 7-4 5-3 T-4th Donatello Brown 2016 University Jamar Simpkins 2016 2013 Jacksonville 5-6 4-4 6th Kenny Moore 2016 University OFFENSIVE FRESHMEN OF THE YEAR 2014 Jacksonville 9-2 7-1 T-1st Name Year University Cedric Hollingshed 2016 2015 Jacksonville 9-2 6-2 T-3rd University VALDOSTA STATE BLAZERS 2016 Valdosta 8-3 5-2 T-2nd NCAA Regional State Valdosta State (1 season) 8-3 5-2 Totals (.727) (.750) Career Totals (10 seasons) 74-38 (.660)

1996, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004 AND 2010 GULF SOUTH CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS 7 2017 BLAZER FOOTBALL COACHING STAFF

DANNY VERPAELE

Defensive Coordinator Second Season at Valdosta State MONTANA (2008)

Danny Verpaele officially joined the Valdosta State coaching staff as a linebackers coach on April 18 of 2016, and was promoted to the position of Defensive Coordinator prior to the start of the 2017 season. Verpaele came to Valdosta State after two seasons as an assistant coach at Army West Point. During his tenure at the United States Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., he acquired a significant amount of recruiting experience, particularly in the southeast, with time spent in Texas, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Mississippi. “Coach Verpaele is a very knowledgeable guy, but he also brings a lot of juice, or energy, as we say, to our practices and our games,” said Head Coach Kerwin Bell. Verpaele spent time as a member of Coach Bell’s staff at Jacksonville University prior to his position at Army, working under Coach Bell as an assistant defensive coach with a primary focus on defensive backs. In 2012, his work at JU produced a defensive unit that ranked No. 1 in pass defense Prior to Jacksonville University, Verpaele kicked off his coaching career and total defense in the Pioneer Football League. at Virginia Military Institute as an assistant coach in 2009, and he posted Success at JU led to a graduate assistant coaching position at Mississippi a three-year letterman career as a strong safety at the University of South State in 2013, where Verpaele worked at the linebackers position and helped Florida from 2004-08. lead the Bulldogs to a No. 18 national ranking on defense. In addition, he “[Verpaele] is a guy who brings great energy, who gets after it, and helped guide sophomore Bernardrick McKinney to All-American honors who gets his players to play at a very high level,” added Bell. “He’s a great and he helped develop New England Patriot free agent Deontae Skinner. addition to our staff and is going to bring a lot to the table.”

JEREMY DARVEAU

Offensive Line / Recruiting Coordinator Second Season at Valdosta State MONTANA (2008)

Bringing a wealth of coaching knowledge and eight years of experience to the Valdosta State program, Jeremy Darveau was named the Offensive Line coach for the Blazers in 2015. While earning a Sociology Bachelors of Science Degree, Darveau put together an impressive collegiate career at the University of Louisville. Following four successful years at the Division I level, he added to his on-field experience with the Amsterdam Admirals in NFL Europe and closed out his playing career with one year in the Arena 1 Football League as a member of the Tampa Bay Storm. In 2008, Darveau began his coaching career at Southwest Minnesota State, where he served as a Tight End and Running Backs Graduate Before joining the Valdosta State program, Darveau returned to the Assistant Coach for two years while earning a Masters Degree in Business Sunshine State in 2014 as the Offensive Quality Control Coach at the Administration. His efforts with the program resulted in a full-time job as University of Florida, and he continued to prove his worth after helping the Offensive Coordinator and Offensive Line Coach through the 2013 lead the UF offense to 12 new offensive records and a Birmingham Bowl season, in which the Mustangs earned their first-ever bowl appearance. victory to close out the year. During his tenure at SMSU, Darveau helped his players rewrite both the Throughout the duration of his coaching career, Darveau has helped school and conference record books with over 40 new offensive records train countless All-Americans, three of which he personally developed. In with the program and seven new league marks. addition, he personally oversaw the development of nine All-Conference student-athletes. 8 2004, 2007 AND 2012 NCAA DIVISION II CHAMPIONS COACHING STAFFNNEL 2017 BLAZER FOOTBALL

DAVID ROWE

Defensive Backs Coach First Season at Valdosta State RUTGERS (2012)

David Rowe was named the defensive backs coach for Valdosta State in 2017. He is a 2009 graduate of Rutgers University and served as a three-year starter for the Scarlet Knights, and he has since established himself as a talented football coach at the collegiate level, with a wealth of experience obtained in a relatively short period of time.

“It’s an honor to have this opportunity to work at such a prestigious university,” said Rowe. “I look forward to helping our student-athletes continue to be winners both on and off the field.”

A former cornerback and safety during his playing career at Rutgers, Rowe transitioned into a coaching career in the summer of 2013 when he joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers by way of the Bill Walsh Minority Internship program. The four-month internship proved to be time well spent, as Rowe was picked up as a Defensive Assistant in September of become the number one ranked team in the Mid American Conference in 2013. His experience with the Bucs included direct work with Tampa Bay pass efficiency defense. Following his time at Western Michigan, Rowe Safeties Coach Jeff Hafley. preceded his new position at Valdosta State as the defensive coordinator at Rockledge High School in Rockledge, Fla. Following his stint with the Bucs during their 2013 season, Rowe elected to further his education at Western Michigan while serving as a Graduate Assistant Cornerbacks Coach. His work there helped the Broncos

WILLIE TILLMAN

Defensive Line Coach First Season at Valdosta State MONTANA (2008)

Willie Tillman, a former four-year letter winner and two year starter as a wide receiver at Purdue University, joins the Blazer football coaching staff in 2017 and brings a veteran presence to Valdosta State after having accumulated nearly 20 years of coaching experience. Tillman kicked off his coaching career at his alma-mater as an assistant in 1997, and has since coached at multiple colleges and universities, including a recent three-year stint as the defensive coordinator at Florida Tech. As the shot caller for all defensive staff, player personnel, play calling, game planning, and recruiting, Tillman took the program from its inception in 2013, to a winning record in 2014, and then to a second place finish in the Gulf South Conference in 2015. He followed his time made up of a host of highly respected programs at both the collegiate at FIT with a head coaching position at Westminster Academy in Fort and professional levels. Since starting out as an assistant at Purdue, Lauderdale, Fla., which ultimately led to his recent hire at Valdosta State. Tillman has added the Baltimore Ravens, Florida A&M, Murray State, “I am very excited about this opportunity to join the Valdosta State and Bethel University to the list of programs where he has contributed University football program.” stated Tillman this week. “I look forward to his coaching talents. being a part of TitleTown USA, and I certainly look forward to working with Coach Bell and the VSU football staff.” Tillman’s experience as a football coach throughout the years is

1996, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004 AND 2010 GULF SOUTH CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS 9 2017 BLAZER FOOTBALL COACHING STAFF

Kerry WEBB

Running Backs/Special Teams First Season at Valdosta State FLORIDA (2004)

Kerry Webb returned to Valdosta State prior to the 2017 season to bring an experienced coaching presence to the Blazers’ stable of running backs. Webb has coached at four different collegiate programs, including a previous stint at Valdosta State as a graduate assistant in 2005 and 2006 while pursuing a Masters in Education Health and Physical Education.

Prior to his first round at Valdosta State, Webb earned his first experience as a student assistant at the University of Florida. On the back end of his time with the Blazers in the mid-2000’s, he transitioned into his first full-time coaching position as a running backs coach and special teams coordinator at Jacksonville University. With nearly 10 years of previous experience under the leadership of Kerwin Bell at JU, Webb is expected to bring some welcomed familiarity to the Blazers’ coaching staff in 2017.

Notable accomplishments throughout Webb’s career include the guidance Greeneville, Tenn., where he spent one year as a wide receiver and special of the JU running backs in 2010, which led the Sharks’ offense to a No. teams coach. Webb’s tutelage helped produce First Team All South Atlantic 1 ranking in the country. The squad nearly repeated the feat in 2013 with Conference honors for return specialist Jay Boyd in 2016. a No. 5 ranking, and the Sharks ranked 3rd nationally in overall scoring during that same season. During his coaching career of over ten years, Webb has coached 11 All-Conference players, and his recruiting efforts led to the signing of two After Bell left JU in 2016, Webb took a job at Tusculum College in All-Americans and three players who progressed into the NFL.

MARTY McGHIN

Director of Football Operations Second Season at Valdosta State VALDOSTA STATE (2008)

For over a decade, McGhin has been, and continues to be, a key supporter of VSU Athletics. A VSU alum, Marty’s financial support has helped to provide scholarship aid for many Blazer student- athletes allowing those student-athletes to reach their potential both as an athlete and as a student. He currently serves in a key role with the Blazer football program and also serves as the team chaplain for the Blazer basketball team.

In recognition of his immeasurable support and contributions to Valdosta State Athletics, particularly the football program, McGhin was inducted into the VSU Hall of Fame in January of 2017. The football program has placed great faith in his talents and abilities, and McGhin has fully embraced a host of responsibilities as the team’s Director of Football Operations. McGhin plays a large role in many key areas of day-to-day operations, including travel arrangements, scheduling, meals, and much more. Most impressive of all, is that fact that McGhin takes on all of these responsibilities on a complete volunteer basis.

10 2004, 2007 AND 2012 NCAA DIVISION II CHAMPIONS 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004 AND 2010 GULF SOUTH CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS 11 2017 BLAZER FOOTBALL 2017 THUS FAR

GAME 1 VALDOSTA STATE 12, ALBANY STATE 29

ALBANY, Ga. – The Valdosta State football team suffered a 29-12 loss to the Albany State Golden Rams on Saturday night in Albany, Ga., marking the Blazers’ first loss in a season opener since the 2012 National Championship campaign. The Blazers struggled to find rhythm offensively, due in large part to the effort of the Albany State defense, which gave the Golden Rams a defensive score within the first three minutes of the game for a lead they would never relinquish. The loss for VSU represented their second all-time to the Golden Rams, with the Blazers’ only other loss in the series taking place in the 2004 season opener. Later that same season, Valdosta State went on to defeat ASU in the playoffs en route to the program’s first ever national championship. Scoring 1 2 3 4 F Valdosta State 0 0 0 12 12 Albany State 10 0 10 9 29

First Quarter ASU 12:26 Scott 75-yard interception return (Ballinas kick) ASU 03:27 Ballinas 22-yard field goal

Third Quarter ASU 05:44 Ballinas 41-yard field goal ASU 01:23 Simmons 14-yard pass from Johnson (Ballinas kick)

Fourth Quarter ASU 12:25 Ballinas 32-yard field goal VSU 07:15 Saunds 10-yard pass from Wells (Failed conversion) ASU 04:03 Fraise 15-yard run (Ballinas kick failed) VSU 01:00 Saunds 20-yard pass from Wells (Failed conversion)

Team Statistics VSU ASU First Downs 19 19 Rushes-Yards (Net) 26-107 51-212 Passes Comp-Att-Int 20-39-3 9-17-0 Passing Yards (Net) 204 88 Total Offense (Plays-Yards) 65-311 68-300 Return Yards 24 6 Punts (Number-Avg.) 4-43.3 4-38.0 Fumbles-Lost 0-0 2-1 Penalties-Yards 9-106 5-56 Sacks By (No.-Yards) 2-9 1-5 Time of Possession 23:26 36:34 Attendance 4,011

Individual Stats Rushing: VSU - Wells 11-62; R. Johnson 9-38; Germany 5-9; I. Johnson 1-2. ASU - Habersham 20-110; C. Johnson 17-64; Fraise 11-39; Lewis 1-3. Passing: VSU - Wells 13-24-2-141; Robles 7-15-0-63. ASU - 9-17-1-88. Receiving: VSU - Roberts 2-57; Saunds 4-51; Baldner 5-30; Germany 2-18; Benjamin 2-15; T. Johnson 2-21; Blair 1-8; Merine 1-7; R. Johnson 1--3. ASU - Greene 4-50; Simmons 1-14; Wooten 2-13; Habersham 1-7; Hunt 1-4.

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14 2004, 2007 AND 2012 NCAA DIVISION II CHAMPIONS 2017 THUS FAR 2017 BLAZER FOOTBALL

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1996, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004 AND 2010 GULF SOUTH CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS 17 2017 BLAZER FOOTBALL 2017AROUND BLAZER THE FOOTBALL CONFERENCE

2017 GULF SOUTH CONFERENCE STANDINGS... SCHOOL CONF CPCT. OVERALL PCT. HOME AWAY NEUTRAL STREAK Delta State 0-0 0.000 2-0 1.000 2-0 0-0 0-0 W2 West Florida 0-0 0.000 1-0 1.000 0-0 1-0 0-0 W1 West Georgia 0-0 0.000 2-0 1.000 2-0 0-0 0-0 W2 Florida Tech 0-0 0.000 1-1 0.500 1-0 0-1 0-0 L1 West Alabama 0-0 0.000 1-1 0.500 0-0 1-1 0-0 L1 North Alabama 0-0 0.000 0-1 0.000 0-1 0-0 0-0 L1 Valdosta State 0-0 0.000 0-1 0.000 0-0 0-1 0-0 L1 Mississippi College 0-0 0.000 0-2 0.000 0-0 0-2 0-0 L2 Shorter 0-0 0.000 0-2 0.000 0-1 0-1 0-0 L2

2017 WEEKLY GSC HONORS... OFFENSE SPECIAL TEAMS September 2 - Chris Robinson, DSU September 2 - Max Erdman, FIT September 9 - Donta Armstrong, UWA September 9 - J.J. Jones September 16 - September 16 - September 23 September 23 October 30 - October 30 - October 7 - October 7 - October 14 - October 14 - October 21 - October 21 - October 28 - October 28 - November 4 - November 4 - November 11 - November 11 - DEFENSE FRESHMAN September 2 - Martes Wheeler, UWF September 2 - Deandre Gardenhire, UWG September 9 - Ovenson Cledanord, DSU September 9 - Trey Wiggins, UWG September 16 - September 16 - September 23 September 23 October 30 - October 30 - October 7 - October 7 - October 14 - October 14 - October 21 - October 21 - October 28 - October 28 - November 4 - November 4 - November 11 - November 11 - THIS WEEK IN GSC FOOTBALL... LAST WEEK IN GSC FOOTBALL...

AWAY HOME LOCATION TIME AWAY HOME LOCATION West Georgia Delta State Cleveland, Miss. 2PM Chowan 13 Delta State 42 Cleveland, Miss. Miss. College West Alabama Livingston, Ala. 6PM Shorter 12 Tusculum 39 Greeneville, Tenn. North Alabama Valdosta State Valdosta, Ga. 7PM Miles 7 West Georgia 45 Carrollton, Ga. Shorter Florida Tech Melbourne, Fla. 7PM Miss. College 9 Southwest Baptist 32 Bolivar, Mo. Chowan West Florida Pensacola, Fla. 6PM Florida Tech 21 McNeese State 42 Lake Charles, La.

18 2004, 2007 AND 2012 NCAA DIVISION II CHAMPIONS