[October 7, 2006]

Valdosta State Football Game Notes

VALDOSTA, Ga. - Southern Arkansas University found its offense Saturday against fifth-ranked Valdosta State University, but blocked punt, fumble, and punt returns gave the Blazers all they needed, claiming a 41-7 win over the Muleriders. It’s the third consecutive nationally ranked team SAU has fallen to, behind North Alabama (3rd) and Delta State (18th). Valdosta State remains unbeaten on the season at 5-0 and 3-0 in the Gulf South Conference, while Southern Arkansas falls to 1-5 and 0-4.

Quarterback Willie Copeland found receiver Cedric Jones for a 14-yard run to the end zone for a Valdosta touchdown with 5:05 remaining in the opening quarter. Zachary Williams PAT was good to put the Blazers on the board first 7-0. Moments later Tommy King would have his punt blocked by Shawn Harris at the SAU 4. Harris returned it 4-yards for another Valdosta touchdown. Williams kick was good and VSU would go up 14-0.

With 13:32 remaining in the second quarter, Copeland and Jones connected again, this time on a 38-yard pass. Williams connected on the kick to put Valdosta up 21-0. The Muleriders caught a break on the Blazers next possession when linebacker Terrence Smith leveled a hit on Chad Bryant and safety John Jones fell on the loose ball at the VSU 37. Two plays later, SAU met the same fate as quarterback Josh SanFilippo fumbled the ball and Valdosta’s Maurice Leggett scooped it up and raced 57 yards for the score as VSU went up 28-0.

King’s 39-yard punt with 2:25 remaining in the half was handled by Sherard Reynolds who zig-zagged 78 yards back down the field for another Blazer touchdown. Williams added the PAT to give Valdosta a 35-0 advantage. Southern Arkansas got a good return on the kickoff by Demarea Caldwell to the SAU 39, and promptly drove to the Blazer 15, but with time running out, the chance to put points on the board went wide right on David Korff’s 32-yard field goal attempt.

The Muleriders moved the ball on Valdosta State in the first half, and actually out-gained them on the ground (54 yards-46 yards) and in total offense (170-169), and had a huge advantage in time of possession (20:57 – 9:03). SAU kept that momentum going in the third quarter, scoring their lone touchdown on a 27 yard pass from SanFilippo to Rasheed Rowe with 13:08 left. The touchdown came on the heels of a six-play, 53-yard drive that consumed 1:37. Korff’s PAT made it 35-7.

But the Blazers added the punctuation mark in the fourth, when backup quarterback Barrett Wilkes completed a 19-yard touchdown pass to Raymond Thomas. Williams kick failed, making the final, 41-7.

SAU piled up more total offense than any opponent VSU has faced this season with 335 yards. The Muleriders did it with 248 through the air and 87 on the ground. The Blazers finished with 373 yards, 261 by passing and 112 rushing. The Muleriders hogged the ball for the majority of the game, garnering a possession time of 33:51 to 26:09 by Valdosta State. Southern Arkansas fumbled twice and lost both, while the Blazers lost the only fumble they had. Both teams suffered an interception. VSU was charged with 10 penalties for 129 yards to only five by SAU for 41 yards.

Michael Terry led Valdosta State with 77 yards rushing on 12 carries. Tony McDonald finished with 33 yards on 14 totes for Southern Arkansas, while SanFilippo had 24 yards on nine carries.

Copeland completed 19 of 28 passes for 230 yards and two touchdowns for the Blazers, and threw the interception. SanFilippo was seven of 12 for 153 yards and the TD, with the interception, while Damian Melancon completed seven of 15 for 95 yards for the Muleriders.

Cedric Jones was Copeland’s primary target, catching eight passes for 90 yards and two touchdowns. Rowe had his best game by far for SAU, grabbing five receptions for 95 yards and the touchdown. Each team had seven different receivers catch a pass.

Sherard Reynolds was huge on special teams for Valdosta State, returning five punts for 154 yards, including the 78-yard TD return. Reynolds averaged 30.8 yards per return.

William Montford racked up eight tackles and forced one fumble for the Blazers. Reynolds, Jamaal Clark, Jermel Daniels, and Michael Cullen finished with six tackles each.

C.J. Ellis had nine tackles, with seven solo, for SAU. Lucas Holts finished with seven, and Seth Daigle had six, four solo, including one for a four-yard loss. Roland Perkins added five tackles, all solo, had one interception for a seven yard return, and broke up one pass.

The Muleriders will celebrate Homecoming Saturday as they host Ouachita Baptist University in a 2:30 p.m. kickoff at Wilkins Stadium.

#SAU#