Sept. 28, 2002

Valdosta Squeaks Past ‘Riders 31-28

Valdosta, Ga.-Valdosta State University, ranked second nationally in NCAA Division II, got tested to the limit here Saturday night before escaping an upset bid by Southern Arkansas University. The Blazers are now 4-0 while SAU falls to 2-2.

VSU had breezed past three opponents, Albany State, Fort Valley State and Delta State, giving up only six points before meeting the Muleriders. The Blazers shut out Albany 26-0 and Delta State 42-0 and in between, walloped Fort Valley 32-6. VSU allowed their first three opponents only 20 rushing yards.

The Blazers had to come from behind a 10-0 deficit to get past the underdog ‘Riders. The deficit could have been worse. After a scoreless first quarter in which VSU missed a field goal after a penalty nullified the first attempt, SAU was within inches of the goal early in the second period, first and goal. A motion penalty moved them back and they had to settle for a field goal, the difference in the game’s outcome. SAU also blew two conversion attempts, a must for a team to be successful.

Thomas LaToof kicked a 30-yard field goal to put SAU ahead 3-0, 11:15 left in the second quarter. With 9:37 left in the half, quarterback Ted Williams passed complete to wide receiver Nik Lewis for a six-yard touchdown and LaToof kicked SAU up 10-0.

The talented Blazers came back with two touchdowns in the final 6:15 of the half. The first was on a one-yard keeper by quarterback Buster Faulkner and the second was with only 58 seconds on the clock on a pass from Faulkner to tight end Andre Zellner

from 11-yards out. Will Rhody booted both PAT’s, 14-10, VSU, at the half.

The ‘Riders reclaimed the lead in the third period on a four-yard run by halfback Rodney Hill but LaToof’s PAT attempt was blocked, leaving SAU ahead 16-14, 8:32 left in the quarter.

VSU bounced back into the lead on a four-yard pass from Faulkner to running back Lee Tarpley and Rhody’s kick, 21-16, 5:58 left in the third quarter. Rhody added a 24-yard field goal to put the Blazers ahead 24-16, 36 ticks before the final stanza.

With 12:30 to play, Lewis hauled in a 29-yard pass from Williams for a touchdown. Williams’ two-point conversion attempt failed, 24-22, VSU. Wide receiver Reggie Mosley scored the next time for the Blazers on a 41-yard pass play from Faulkner and Rhody converted, 31-22, 11:29 to go.

The determined ‘Riders refused to fold, scoring again on a one-yard run by fullback Brandon Nightingale to cap a 63-yard drive. LaToof’s kick failed, 31-28, with two minutes to play. SAU had another chance when the defense got the ball back for the offense, but VSU’s heralded “Black Swarm” defense held.

VSU had a 24-17 advantage in first downs, a 127 to 73 advantage in rushing yards and had 347 yards passing to 285 for SAU. The game was penalty-filled, VSU with 17 for 137 and SAU 12 for 123. SAU lost two fumbles and VSU had a pass picked off for the only turnovers.

Running back Aaron Jenkins of VSU led all rushers with 81 yards while Williams had 44 for SAU. Faulkner completed 35 of 48 passes for 328 yards, three touchdowns and had one intercepted while Williams was 13 of 34 for 285 yards, no interceptions and two touchdowns. Mosley caught eight passes for 124 yards and a touchdown and Lewis caught seven passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns. Jenkins returned three kickoffs for 70 yards for VSU and Rodney Hill returned five for 91 yards.

VSU Linebacker Marlin Adams had eight tackles, five solos, and two for losses of 12 yards. Linebacker DeVares Campbell had 11 tackles, eight solos, two for lost yards and linebacker Keenan Washington had 10, five solos, and a sack for minus two yards.