Southern Arkansas University vs. Valdosta State University

When: September 28, 2002//Where: Valdosta, Georgia, @ Cleveland Field//Time: 6:00 p.m.

 

                                                            The Series (Tied 3-3-0)

            Saturday’s game between Southern Arkansas University and Valdosta State University will be only the seventh meeting between the Muleriders and Blazers. The series began in 1996 in Valdosta with VSU blanking the ‘Riders 42-0 behind the passing of All-American quarterback Lance Funderburk. SAU came back to win the next three, 17-7 in ’97 in route to the Gulf South Conference championship, 40-13 in ’98 and 28-14 in ’99. The Blazers have won the last two, a 30-29 cliffhanger in 2000 in Magnolia and 41-14 last year in Valdosta behind the air attack by All-American quarterback Dusty Bonner.

 

                                                            2002 Results so far

SAU (2-1-0)                                                                                        VSU (3-0-0)

@ Midwestern State                 26-35                                                   @ Albany State     26-0

@ Texas A&M-Commerce       27-24                                                   Fort Valley                   32-6

West Georgia                           42-21                                                   Delta State                   42-0

 

                                                                       The Coaches

            Second-year SAU head coach Steve Quinn (Ouachita Baptist, 1985) will be coaching his 14th game as head of the Mulerider program. He finished his first season at SAU with a 5-5-0 record in 2001 and is 2-1-0 so far this year to give him a 7-6-1 overall record.

            Third-year VSU head coach Chris Hatcher (VSU, 1995) was also an All-American quarterback for the Blazers. He guided the Blazers to a 10-2 record and a GSC championship his first year in 2000 behind Bonner, a transfer from Kentucky who led the Southeastern Conference in passing as a sophomore. In 2001, Hatcher, with Bonner again leading VSU’s aerial assault, directed the Blazers to a 12-0-0 record before losing in overtime in the D-2 national playoffs. Unbeaten this year, Hatcher is now 25-3-0.

 

                                                            Rankings

            The high-flying Blazers are the first ranked opponent the ‘Riders have faced this season. Prior to rankings released this week. VSU is ranked second in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and third in D2Football.Com. The ‘Riders are unranked.

 

                                                            Media Coverage

            Magnolia, Ark.-KVMA 107.9 FM with Dan Gregory on play-by-play, Jay Adcox as color commentator and Lane Jean on the sideline.

            Valdosta, Ga.-WWRQ 107.9 FM with Dick Rockey the play-by-play voice of VSU and Tom Odom as the color commentator.

                                               

 

 

 

 

 

            Last Season

            VSU wide receiver Reggie Mosley ran the opening kickoff back for a touchdown and the Blazers went on to defeat the ‘Riders 41-14 in Valdosta. The Blazers were ranked fourth nationally and went on to win 12 straight in an unbeaten season before losing in overtime in the national playoffs. After SAU closed to 14-7 before the first quarter was over, the talented Blazers ran their advantage to 27-7 by halftime.

            SAU had opportunities in the third period but squandered two scoring chances deep in VSU territory. The Blazers chalked up 31 first downs and were never forced to punt behind the play of Bonner, who completed 29 passes in 38 attempts for 348 yards and five touchdowns with no interceptions.

 

                                                            GSC This Week

            North Alabama @ Arkansas-Monticello, 2 p.m.; Harding @ Arkansas Tech, 2 p.m.; Ouachita Baptist @ Central Arkansas, 6 p.m.; West Alabama @ Delta State, 7 p.m.; Henderson State @ West Georgia, 6 p.m.; and SOUTHERN ARKANSAS @ Valdosta State, 6 p.m.

 

                                                            GSC Last Week

            Arkansas-Monticello 27-West Alabama 23; Central Arkansas 68-Henderson State 21; Ouachita Baptist 35-Arkansas Tech 3; Harding 45-North Alabama 38; Valdosta State 42-Delta State 0; SOUTHERN ARKANSAS 42-West Georgia 21.

 

                                                            Team Leaders

SAU:

            QB Ted Williams has rushed for 176 yards on 38 carries in three games with one touchdown and RB’s Torrence Jones has 174 yards on 25 carries and six touchdowns and Rodney Hill 150 yards on 25 carries. Williams has completed 26 passes in 55 attempts for 387 yards and four touchdowns with only one interception. WR Nik Lewis has caught 19 passes for 293 yards and three touchdowns. RB Donald Butler has returned five kickoffs for 205 yards, a 41-yard average. FS Brian Davis has 15 solo tackles and eight assists in three games and intercepted a pass and LB Keenan Washington and R Charles Rollins have 11 solos and six assists each.

VSU:

RB Tyran Robinson has rushed 50 times for 240 yards and a touchdown in three games. QB Buster Faulkner has completed 65 of 96 passes (68 percent) for 773 yards and 10 touchdowns with three interceptions. WR C.J. Lofton has caught 17 passes for 250 yards and two touchdowns. WR Reggie Mosley has returned eight punts or 127 yards, a 15.9 average and two kickoffs for 62 yards. LB Marlin Adams has 16 solo tackles and six assists with FS Tabious Carter getting four unassisted and eight assists to lead the impressive Blazer defense.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                            Quick Facts  

SAU                                                                            VSU

Magnolia, Arkansas                                  Location                      Valdosta, Georgia

Gulf South                                            Conference                 Gulf South

NCAA Division II                                 Affiliation                    NCAA Division II

Dr. David Rankin                          President                     Dr. Ronald Zaccari

Jay Adcox                                            Athletics Director            Herb Reinhard

Steve Quinn                                          Head Coach              Chris Hatcher

Houston Taylor                         Sports Information            Steve Roberts

Muleriders                                            Nickname                    Blazers

Royal Blue & Old Gold                      Colors                          Red & Black

3,100                                                   Enrollment                    8,850

1909 (SAU in 1976)                           Founded                      1906

Wilkins (6,000)                                    Stadium                     Bazemore-Hyder (11,500)

(870) 235-4117                            Pressbox Phone            (229) 245-3779

www.saumag.edu/athletics                        InternetAddress            www.valdosta.peachnet.edu/athletics

 

 

                                                            Coach Quinn

            “Our football team played very hard and maintained our focus throughout the course of the (West Georgia) game. We wanted to prove we could play 60 minutes with intensity and have no let-downs. I feel we accomplished that. There are still several things we need to correct and we must continue to improve techniques if we want to continue being successful.”

            “Defensively, we put together our best game of the year and had some outstanding individual efforts. (LB) Keenan Washington continues to play solidly at middle linebacker, our defensive front played aggressively and (CB) Carl Buchnor played his best game of the year. (Rover) Charles Rollins has shown himself to be a hitter and Jordan Babineaux has made some great plays at the safety position.”

            “Offensively, (QB) Ted Williams continues to lead this team well. Our backfield is playing with a lot of confidence. (RB) Rodney Hill has played outstanding every week. (RB) Torrence Jones is making plays to get the ball in the end zone. The passing game is improving every week. (WR) Nik Lewis is establishing himself as a go-to player with the ability to make the big play. The offensive line played more physical this week. I was pleased with the kicking game.  It made some breaks for us at some critical times in the football game.”

            “Facing Valdosta State on the road is going to be a tough task. Our football team must start preparing immediately and do everything we can to be ready for the game and the long trip. This will be a real test of our maturity as a football team. Valdosta has a lot of offensive firepower with Aaron Jenkins at running back and a group of receivers that can make plays. Defensively, they will have the most speed we have faced and are big and physical on the defensive line. Their kicking game is solid and has created some breaks for them in their first three games. We must play with a lot of intensity and be mistake-free.”