17 Valdosta State Blazers #-/- Ouachita Baptist Tigers
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2010 VALDOSTA STATE FOOTBALL BAZEMORE-HYDER STADIUM GAME 5 OUACHITA BAPTIST This Week’s Game #-/17 Valdosta State Blazers Valdosta State returns to Bazemore-Hyder Stadium for Homecoming as the Blazers host the 3-1 overall, 1-1 Gulf South Conference Ouachita Baptist Tigers. Valdosta State enters the contest with a 3-1 record, including a 1-1 mark in Gulf South Conference play, while OBU is also 3-1 overall and 1-1 in league play. AT This year’s contest marks the 11th meeting between the two schools, with VSU holding a 9-1 edge in the all-time series. Ouachita Baptist picked up its first victory in the sereis last year when it claimed a 24-14 victory on its home field. #-/- Ouachita Baptist Tigers Valdosta State enters the game averaging 357.0 yards of offense while surrendering 289.8 3-1 overall, 1-1 Gulf South Conference total yards per game. Usually known for its passing attack, VSU has proven to be quite balanced this year as the Blazers are averaging 156.5 yards per game rushing and 200.5 through the air. Meanwhile, the defense, which has created 13 turnovers in the first four games, is allowing just 71.5 yards on the ground and has already intercepted 10 passes on the year. The Blazer defense picked up its first shutout since the 2007 season last week as VSU defeated Southern Arkansas Blazer Fast Facts 27-0. 2010 Record: 3-1 (.750); 2010 Gulf South Conference Record / Rank: The Blazer offensive balance is evidenced throughout the team where four players are currently 1-1 (.500) / t4th; Last Five Games: 4-1 (.800); Last 10 Games: 7-3 (.700); Last averaging more than 22.0 yards rushing while 15 players have caught a pass on the season. David 15 Games: 9-6 (.600). Arnold leads the rushing attack with 46.8 yards per game while Gerald Ford has caught 12 passes for 219 yards and a score this season. Meanwhile, Larry Dean is off to a good start this season VSU Head Coach David Dean as he has already registered 59 tackles while Stevie Harden has intercepted five passes. In his fourth year as the leader of the Valdosta State football program, David Ouachita Baptist is coming off of an exciting 37-34 come-from-behind victory over Harding Dean has tallied a 31-9 (.775) all-time record. Dean led the Blazers to the national that saw the Tigers score 22 points in the fourth quarter. The Tigers are averaging an impressive title in 2007, in the process becoming just the second NCAA Division II head coach 44.0 points and 458.8 yards per game, including 177.5 on the ground and 281.2 through the air. to lead his team to the national title, and a return trip to the playoffs in 2008. The Meanwhile, the OBU defense is surrendering 23.5 points and 306.5 yards per game. 2007 AFCA Coach of the Year, he has tallied an 19-7 record (.731) in Gulf South The Ouachita Baptist game will be the 325th game in history of Valdosta State football. The Conference play and a 2-1 mark against Ouachita Baptist Blazers have won 219 contests, lost 101 and tied four times, a winning percentage of .682. Tiger Fast Facts Gulf South Conference Success 2010 Record: 3-1 (.750); 2010 Gulf South Conference Record / Rank: The Blazers have been among the top three in the GSC every year since 2000. Over the course 1-1 (.500) / t4th; Last Five Games: 4-1 (.800); Last 10 Games: 7-3 (.700); Last of the last 10-plus seasons, Valdosta State has compiled a 75-13 (.852) record and went a perfect 15 Games: 10-5 (.667). 9-0 in 2001, 2002 and 2004. VSU won GSC championships in 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2004. Overall, the Blazers have gone a 150-71-3 (.676) record in GSC play and have won five OBU Head Coach Todd Knight conference championships, with the first coming in 1996. Valdosta State has winning records Todd Knight is in his 12th year as the leader of the Ouachita Baptist football against eight of the 10 current GSC teams and boasts a 122-51-2 (.703) record against those program. He has accumulated a 44-69 (.389) record with the Tigers. He also spent schools. six years as the head coach at Delta State and owns a 72-99-2 career mark, Valdosta State’s 75 GSC wins over the last 10-plus seasons are eight more than Delta State, including a 4-12 record versus Valdosta State. who is second with 67 during that time span. Television Harden, Fulford Earn GSC Weekly Honors There will be no live telecast of the game. The game can be viewed on a Cornerback Stevie Harden and punter Jack Fulford earned Gulf South Conference recognition tape-delayed basis on VSU TV in Valdosta. Check local listings for air time. on September 27 after leading the Blazers to a 27-0 shutout of Southern Arkansas two days earlier. Harden was named the league’s Defensive Player of the Week after tallying three turnovers Internet Webcast in the game. He intercepted a pass in the red zone in the first half to prevent a SAU score and The game can be viewed live over the internet at www.vstateblazers.tv. later picked up a fumble and ran 62 yards for a touchdown. Later in the game, he intercepted a pass and returned it 42 yards for a touchdown. His 123 total return yards in the game were just Radio Network 23 fewer than the Mulerider offense tallied in the game. Harden’s selection for the player of the WDDQ, Talk 92.1 FM (Valdosta, Adel); WAAC, 92.9 (Valdosta); WSFB 1490 week honor marked the second straight week a Blazer defender had been named the conference’s AM/97.7 FM (Quitman); WKZZ, Z 92.5. FM (Tifton); WDMG, The Big Dog 97.9 top defensive player. FM (Douglas); WJEM, 96.1 FM/1150 AM (Valdosta); WRDO, Real Radio 96.9 FM Fulford earned GSC Special Teams Player of the Week after averaging 44.8 yards on his 10 (Fitzgerald); WDMG 860 AM (Douglas); WJHC, Talk 107.5 FM (Jasper, Fla.); W279BD, punts in the game. He booted a career-high 64 yard punt that was downed on the SAU two yard 103.7 (Thomasville). The broadcast can also be heard over the internet at www. line. Two of his 10 kicks landed inside the Mulerider 20 and three traveled at least 50 yards. The talk921.com. award marked the second time in his career that Fulford had been recognized by the conference. Dick Rockey (play-by-play), Wes James (analysis) and Tom Odom (sideline) call the action. Harden Chasing Interception Record Through the first four games of the year, Stevie Harden has already intercepted five passes, or Valdosta State Sports Information two more than last year’s season leader, Carlos Anderson, had in 10 games. Harden’s five intercep- Shawn Reed, Director (Football Contact) tions are tied for the fifth-highest single season total in school history and are just four away from O: 229-333-5903 C: 229-563-2505 E: [email protected] the school mark of nine set by VSU Athletics Hall of Fame member Dallis Smith in 1986. Harden’s five interceptions, which have been returned for 148 yards, this year are the most Joshua Flanagan, Assistant Director by a Blazer player since Sherard Reynolds tallied seven interceptions during the 2007 season. O: 229-245-4390 C: 229-560-4386 E: [email protected] In addition to the interceptions, Harden has also recorded nine tackles, including five solo stops, on the year. He also has two passes broken up, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery, which he returned 62 yards for a touchdown. Harden has returned to of the interceptions for touchdowns - one for 55 yards against Delta State September 18 and the other 42 yards at Southern Arkansas September 25. 2004, 2007 NCAA DIVISION II NATIONAL CHAMPIONS 1 VALDOSTA STATE FOOTBALL SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2010 GAME 5 OUACHITA BAPTIST BAZEMORE-HYDER STADIUM VALDOSTA STATE UNIVERSITY Location.......................................................................Valdosta, Ga. Founded ...................................................................................1903 VALDOSTA STATE BLAZERS Enrollment ............................................................................12,000 2010 Record: 3-1, 1-1 Gulf South Conference Nickname..............................................................................Blazers Colors ........................................................................Red and Black Date Opponent Location Result Attend. President ........................................................Dr. Patrick J. Schloss Sept. 4 Wingate Valdosta, Ga. W, 25-22 9,351 Director of Athletics .................................................. Herb Reinhard Sept. 11 at Newberry Newberry, S.C. W, 45-17 2,562 Conference ................................................... Gulf South Conference Sept. 18 Delta State Valdosta, Ga. L, 27-23 3,366 Sept. 25 at Southern Arkansas Magnolia, Ark. W, 27-0 5,102 FOOTBALL HISTORY Oct. 2 Ouachita Baptist Valdosta, Ga. First Year of Football ...............................................................1982 Oct. 14 at North Alabama Florence, Ala. All Time Record .............................................................. 219-101-4 Oct. 23 Arkansas-Monticello Valdosta, Ga. Seasons .............................................................................29th Oct. 30 at Arkansas Tech Russellville, Ark. Joined the Gulf South Conference ............................................1982 Nov. 6 West Georgia Valdosta, Ga. Gulf South Conference Record ...........................................150-71-3 Nov. 11 at West Alabama Livingston, Ala. Seasons .............................................................................29th Gulf South Conference Championships ...........................................5 2010 GULF SOUTH CONFERENCE STANDINGS Years ...................................... 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004