Magnolia, AR--The Southern Arkansas University-Valdosta State University football game here Saturday will be played before television cameras. The showcase game will be aired live by Comcast/Charter Sports Southeast Cable Television Network to more than a million and a half subscribers across eight states in the Southeast in the inaugural Gulf South Conference eight-game pact. A packed house is expected in Wilkins Stadium (6,000) in a historical, first-ever, live, televised athletic event in Magnolia, Ark. Lyn Rollins, the voice of the Northwestern State University Demons, will be the play-by-play announcer and Steve Roberts, head football coach at NSU and former SAU mentor, will be the color commentator. NSU has an open date this week.

The game will match squads with contrasting styles. The Muleriders use a grinding, run-oriented, time-consuming wishbone offense while the Blazers employ a pro-type, quick-striking, aerial assault that can light up the scoreboard in a hurry. In SAU’s 28-15 win over defending Lone Star Conference North Division tri-champion Southeastern Oklahoma State University September 2 in Durant, Okla., the ‘Riders churned out 523 net-yards rushing for a new school record, breaking the old record of 470 yards set in 1971 against Central Methodist of Missouri. VSU, like SAU, had an open date last week after playing twice, romping past Albany State 42-10 and blanking Fort Valley State 46-0.

SAU was the preseason favorite to win the GSC and came into the season nationally-ranked. VSU has jumped into the national rankings after their impressive wins over nationally-ranked opposition. VSU’s talent level jumped considerably when quarterback Dusty Bonner, who took every snap last year for the Kentucky Wildcats, transferred to VSU. Bonner, a native of Valdosta, was All-Southeastern Conference last year and was voted in the preseason for All-SEC honors this year. He led the SEC last year in six offensive categories, including pass efficiency, total offense and passing yards a game. Sophomore Kenn Barnett started five games as a true freshman last year for the Blazers but will serve as backup this year because Bonner is not an average NCAA Division II quarterback. In fact, he is not an ordinary D-I quarterback. Bonner completed his first 17 pass attempts as a Blazer against Albany State. Bonner has completed 50 of 65 pass attempts for 668 yards for 11 touchdowns in the two easy wins.

The biggest questions for the fans are can VSU slow down the SAU rushing game and will the ‘Rider defense present problems for the high-octane VSU passing game? VSU will likely attempt to jam the line of scrimmage on defense but if they do and SAU gets past that logjam, it leaves a lot of daylight. SAU’s defense will be called upon to do what few SEC defenses were able to do last year in defense of Bonner, including the Arkansas Razorbacks, which were routed by Bonner’s uncanny accuracy. The best hope for the ‘Riders would be a fanatical pass rush to hurry Bonner. If he gets time, he could pick apart SAU’s young, inexperienced secondary that played well in the opener but has not faced and will not face a passer with Bonner’s ability.

Too, if SAU’s offense keeps the ball on time-consuming drives, VSU’s offense will be kept on the sideline. That could be SAU’s best defense, but the ‘Riders must not put the ball on the ground as they did against Southeastern, which was unable to halt the ‘Riders except for fumbles. There is still another possibility. The game may not develop into a high-scoring shoot-out. If the offenses make mistakes, the defenses could dictate the outcome.

A sellout crowd, two nationally-ranked teams, live TV and projected good weather should bring out the best by both the ‘Riders and Blazers in one of the biggest games ever played in Magnolia. The game is to be aired live in Magnolia on Channel 95. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:06 p.m.