Bonner, Valdosta State Bombs ‘Riders

Magnolia, Ark.—Wide receiver Reggie Mosley ran the opening kickoff back 89 yards for a touchdown and Valdosta State University went on to defeat Southern Arkansas University 41-14 in Valdosta, Ga., Saturday night. The Blazers, ranked fourth nationally in NCAA Division II, are 3-0 for the young season while the Muleriders fell to 0-2. This was the first time since 1996 for SAU to lose their first two games. It was the third straight time for VSU to pile up over 40 points with their “Air Raid” offense. The Blazers ripped Albany State 41-6 in their opener and routed Fort Valley State 42-6 in their second easy win. This was the Gulf South Conference opener for both the Blazers and ‘Riders.

The Blazers scored their second touchdown on a 20-yard pass from All-American quarterback Dusty Bonner to wide receiver Nekeyma Wright with 9:11 left in the first quarter. With 2:40 remaining in the opening period, freshman halfback Torrance Jones scored on a 17-yard run for SAU and Saul DeLa Cruz converted to trim the deficit to 14-7.

Early in the second period, Bonner flipped an eight-yard scoring toss to All-American tight end C.J. Lofton and before the half, tight end Lee Tarpley hauled in a 10-yard Bonner pass for a 27-7 VSU halftime advantage. SAU had an opportunity to even the score in the third period by recovering fumbles in VSU territory but both chances went down the drain on the Blazer 15 as a field goal was not close and the ball went over on downs on the second drive.

With 2:15 left in the third stanza, wide receiver Abram Booty, an LSU transfer from Shreveport, caught a 31-yard touchdown pass from Bonner. With 55 seconds left in the third quarter, SAU halfback Forrest Curry broke free for a 52-yard touchdown run and DeLa Cruz’ PAT closed the margin to 34-14.

Early in the fourth period, Bonner passed to Mosley for 14 yards to finish the scoring. Reid Bethea booted his fifth extra point in six attempts. The Blazers were able to give their reserves some playing time the rest of the game.

Statistically, VSU had 31 first downs and scored six times in 11 possessions. SAU had 22 first downs and scored twice in 11 possessions. VSU had 472 yards of total offense and SAU finished with 346. SAU rushed for 267 net yards and VSU had but 106 but the Blazers passed for 366 yards and SAU had 79. VSU also won the kicking game as they never had to punt and SAU averaged only 23.7 yards on three punts. While SAU returned six kickoffs for 81 yards, VSU returned three for 122 yards and a touchdown.

Bonner completed 29 passes in 38 attempts with no interceptions for 348 yards and five touchdowns. The SAU defense sacked him twice. Mosley had seven receptions for 76 yards and a touchdown. Curry was the top rusher of the game with 113 net yards on 13 carries and had a touchdown. He averaged 8.7 yards a carry. VSU’s top rusher was Aaron Jenkins, who had 84 net yards on 13 carries. Mosley returned three kickoffs for 122 yards.

Rover Ced Dickerson had eight tackles for the Blazers while defensive backs Brian Davis and Jordan Babineaux had 14 and 11 tackles, respectively, for the ‘Riders.

The ‘Riders meet Ouachita Baptist at Arkadelphia next Saturday.