VSU Ekes Out 30-29 Shootout Over SAU's 'Riders

Magnolia, AR---Valdosta State University came from behind with a nine-yard touchdown run by halfback Travis Francis with 45 seconds remaining to nip Southern Arkansas University 30-29 here Saturday night in an inaugural Gulf South Conference televised game. The Blazers, now 3-0 and off to a 1-0 league start, were pushed to the limit by the Muleriders (1-1, 0-1) in a game played in perfect weather before a sellout crowd.

VSU scored first on a three-yard run by fullback Marcus Ray and Jason Guzzardo added the PAT to make it 7-0 with 3:46 left in the first quarter. SAU bounced back with an 86-yard touchdown drive with halfback Santario Morris scoring from the 20 and Jason Williams converting, 7-7 with 6:26 left in the half. Guzzardo connected on a 42-yard field goal with 4:23 remaining in the half to put the Blazers up 10-7.

Valdosta went up 16-7 by taking the second half kickoff and moving 71 yards with Francis taking a six-yard pass from quarterback Dusty Bonner for a score but Guzzardo's kick was wide right, 10:56 left in the third period. The 'Riders marched back and quarterback Tim Barrington passed complete to split end Mike Beck for a 14-yard touchdown and Jason Williams added the conversion to slice it to 16-14 with 5:58 left in the quarter.

The Blazers roared back with Bonner teaming up with wide receiver Reggie Mosley for 20 yards and paydirt and Guzzardo toed the margin to 23-14 with 3:14 still left in the third stanza. Back bounced the 'Riders with Barrington connecting with halfback Kevin Wilcott for 32 yards and a touchdown and Williams' PAT narrowed the gap to 23-21.

SAU took the lead when Barrington capped a 67-yard drive by scoring from the one and the 'Riders went for two with Barrington keeping right untouched, 29-23, with 11:21 to play. Unfortunately, after both defenses forced punt exchanges, the 'Riders gave Bonner, the former Kentucky All-Southeastern Conference quarterback, too much time with Valdosta getting the ball on their 30 with 3:30 remaining. That is when Bonner kept the drive alive with critical first down conversions that led to the winning margin.

Bonner was 36 of 52 for 294 yards passing for two touchdowns and no interceptions. Barrington was even more impressive with 18 rushes for 83 yards and a touchdown and completed 13 of 22 pass attempts for 215 yards and two touchdowns with only his final desperation bomb picked off.