2024 Valdosta State Blazers football team

2024 Valdosta State Blazers football
GSC champion
ConferenceGulf South Conference
Ranking
AFCANo. 2
Record13–1 (6–0 GSC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorGraham Craig (1st season)
Offensive schemeSpread
Defensive coordinatorBrandon Anderson (3rd season)
Co-defensive coordinatorTrent Earley (1st season)
Base defense3–4
Home stadiumBazemore–Hyder Stadium
2024 Gulf South Conference football standings
Conf. Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 2 $^   6 – 0     13 – 1  
No. 18 West Alabama ^   5 – 1     9 – 2  
West Florida   5 – 2     7 – 3  
North Greenville   4 – 3     6 – 5  
Delta State   3 – 3     6 – 4  
Chowan   2 – 5     3 – 7  
Mississippi College   1 – 6     2 – 8  
Erskine   0 – 6     1 – 8  
  • $ – Conference champion
  • ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant
Rankings from AFCA poll

The 2024 Valdosta State Blazers football team represented Valdosta State University as a member of the Gulf South Conference (GSC) during the 2024 NCAA Division II football season and played their home games at Bazemore–Hyder Stadium in Valdosta, Georgia. In their third year under head coach Tremaine Jackson, the team compiled a 13–1 record (6–0 in conference games) and won the GSC championship. The Blazers set a school record with 73 points against Erskine.[1] They advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs, defeating Miles in the second round, Virginia Union in the quarterfinals, and Minnesota State in the semifinals before losing to Ferris State in the Division II national championship game.

Key players include quarterback Sammy Edwards, running backs Blake Hester and Alfonso Franklin, receiver Rodney Bullard, and safety Larry Elder.

On December 21, head coach Tremaine Jackson was hired as the head coach at Prairie View A&M.[2] Assistant head coach and co-defensive coordinator Trent Earley was named the Blazers' interim head coach.[3]

Preseason

The Gulf South Conference released its preseason prediction poll on July 23, 2024. The Blazers were predicted to finish first in the conference, receiving 5 of the 8 first place votes.[4]

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteResultAttendanceSource
August 317:00 p.m.Albany State*No. 7
W 42–105,782[5]
September 77:00 p.m.at Newberry*No. 7
W 27–142,520[6]
September 147:00 p.m.Fayetteville State*No. 6
  • Bazemore–Hyder Stadium
  • Valdosta, GA
W 34–04,001[7][8]
September 214:00 p.m.at ErskineNo. 3
W 73–0375[1]
September 287:00 p.m.West AlabamaNo. 3
  • Bazemore–Hyder Stadium
  • Valdosta, GA
Cancelled [9]
October 512:00 p.m.at Shorter*No. 3
W 59–61,052[10]
October 123:00 p.m.at North GreenvilleNo. 3
W 32–241,874[11]
October 193:00 p.m.Mississippi CollegeNo. 3
  • Bazemore–Hyder Stadium
  • Valdosta, GA
W 35–103,885[12]
November 23:00 p.m.ChowanNo. 1
  • Bazemore–Hyder Stadium
  • Valdosta, GA
W 52–02,063[13]
November 93:00 p.m.at Delta StateNo. 1
W 49–202,517[14]
November 167:00 p.m.No. 16 West FloridaNo. 1
  • Bazemore–Hyder Stadium
  • Valdosta, GA
W 28–73,833[15]
November 301:00 p.m.No. 22 Miles*No. 1
W 33–171,871[16]
December 71:00 p.m.No. 25 Virginia Union*No. 1
  • Bazemore–Hyder Stadium
  • Valdosta, GA (NCAA Division II Quarterfinal)
W 49–141,993[17]
December 1412:00 p.m.Minnesota State*No. 1
  • Bazemore–Hyder Stadium
  • Valdosta, GA (NCAA Division II Semifinal)
W 35–213,104[18]
December 212:00 p.m.vs. No. 2 Ferris State*No. 1
L 14–493,228[19][20]
  • *Non-conference game
  • Homecoming
  • Rankings from AFCA Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Eastern time

[21]

Rankings

See also: 2024 NCAA Division II football rankings
Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
( ) = First-place votes
Week
PollPre123456789101112Final
AFCA77*6333332 (3)1 (18)1 (24)1 (25)1 (27)2
D2 Football65533333232222

* A new poll was not released for this week, so for comparison purposes, the previous week's ranking is inserted in this week's slot.

Game summaries

Albany State

1 2 3 4 Total
Golden Rams 0 3 7 0 10
No. 7 Blazers 14 7 14 7 42
Statistics ASU VSU
First downs 17 22
Total yards 318 462
Rushing yards 101 135
Passing yards 217 327
Turnovers 2 0
Time of possession 29:15 30:45
Team Category Player Statistics
Albany State Passing Isaiah Knowles 19/31, 217 yards
Rushing Tiant Wyche 8 rushes, 79 yards, TD
Receiving Javion Jackson 8 receptions, 122 yards
Valdosta State Passing Sammy Edwards 18/25, 306 yards, 4 TD
Rushing Jaedon Henry 9 rushes, 34 yards
Receiving Rodney Bullard 4 receptions, 100 yards, 2 TD

At Newberry

1 2 3 4 Total
No. 7 Blazers 7 10 7 3 27
Wolves 0 7 0 7 14
Statistics VSU NEW
First downs 25 15
Total yards 337 216
Rushing yards 190 166
Passing yards 147 50
Turnovers 1 0
Time of possession 34:42 25:18
Team Category Player Statistics
Valdosta State Passing Sammy Edwards 16/24, 147 yards, TD
Rushing Blake Hester 11 rushes, 59 yards, TD
Receiving Graeson Malashevich 4 receptions, 41 yards
Newberry Passing Izayah Whiteside 7/11, 50 yards
Rushing Izayah Whiteside 12 rushes, 84 yards, TD
Receiving Tommy Washington 3 receptions, 23 yards

Fayetteville State

1 2 3 4 Total
Broncos 0 0 0 0 0
No. 6 Blazers 7 17 7 3 34
Statistics FSU VSU
First downs 14 29
Total yards 216 502
Rushing yards 99 186
Passing yards 117 316
Turnovers 0 0
Time of possession 24:06 35:54
Team Category Player Statistics
Fayetteville State Passing Demari Daniels 10/23, 104 yards
Rushing Bryce Council 8 rushes, 49 yards
Receiving David Baros 3 receptions, 50 yards
Valdosta State Passing Sammy Edwards 23/33, 290 yards, TD
Rushing Blake Hester 6 rushes, 102 yards, 3 TD
Receiving Rodney Bullard 3 receptions, 77 yards

At Erskine

1 2 3 4 Total
No. 3 Blazers 14 24 21 14 73
Flying Fleet 0 0 0 0 0
Statistics VSU ERS
First downs 24 4
Total yards 577 74
Rushing yards 293 5
Passing yards 284 69
Turnovers 0 4
Time of possession 29:04 30:56
Team Category Player Statistics
Valdosta State Passing Sammy Edwards 11/15, 257 yards, 5 TD
Rushing Alfonso Franklin 10 rushes, 131 yards, 3 TD
Receiving Rodney Bullard 3 receptions, 114 yards, 3 TD
Erskine Passing Breylon Boyd 4/9, 65 yards, 2 INT
Rushing Rashad Luckey 11 rushes, 27 yards
Receiving Rodshaun Dorsey 2 receptions, 53 yards

At Shorter

1 2 3 4 Total
No. 3 Blazers 14 14 14 17 59
Hawks 0 6 0 0 6
Statistics VSU SU
First downs 28 9
Total yards 557 195
Rushing yards 146 32
Passing yards 411 163
Turnovers 0 2
Time of possession 28:31 31:29
Team Category Player Statistics
Valdosta State Passing Sammy Edwards 19/29, 348 yards, 2 TD
Rushing Blake Hester 7 rushes, 62 yards, TD
Receiving Tyler Ajiero 4 receptions, 97 yards, 2 TD
Shorter Passing Harold Cook 12/20, 163 yards, INT
Rushing Lanear McCrary Jr. 12 rushes, 32 yards
Receiving Cobie Mates 2 receptions, 59 yards

At North Greenville

1 2 3 4 Total
No. 3 Blazers 2 14 6 10 32
Trailblazers 14 10 0 0 24
Statistics VSU NGU
First downs 25 19
Total yards 415 320
Rushing yards 169 117
Passing yards 246 203
Turnovers 0 1
Time of possession 32:41 27:19
Team Category Player Statistics
Valdosta State Passing Sammy Edwards 22/34, 246 yards, TD
Rushing Blake Hester 24 rushes, 111 yards, TD
Receiving Rodney Bullard 4 receptions, 50 yards
North Greenville Passing Dylan Ramirez 14/27, 203 yards, 2 TD
Rushing Jacob Walker 14 rushes, 87 yards, TD
Receiving Dre' Williams 5 receptions, 75 yards, TD

Mississippi College

1 2 3 4 Total
Choctaws 0 7 0 3 10
No. 3 Blazers 14 7 14 0 35
Statistics MC VSU
First downs 15 19
Total yards 261 480
Rushing yards 223 191
Passing yards 38 289
Turnovers 2 1
Time of possession 32:50 27:10
Team Category Player Statistics
Mississippi College Passing Preston Godfrey 1/3, 38 yards, INT
Rushing Marcus Williams 25 rushes, 86 yards
Receiving Jacob Stephens 1 reception, 38 yards
Valdosta State Passing Sammy Edwards 20/30, 289 yards, 4 TD
Rushing Blake Hester 11 rushes, 91 yards
Receiving Tyler Ajiero 4 receptions, 57 yards, 2 TD

Chowan

1 2 3 4 Total
Hawks 0 0 0 0 0
No. 1 Blazers 0 14 17 21 52
Statistics CHO VSU
First downs 18 22
Total yards 292 573
Rushing yards 141 339
Passing yards 151 234
Turnovers 4 1
Time of possession 35:43 24:10
Team Category Player Statistics
Chowan Passing Maurice Smith 17/27, 139 yards, INT
Rushing Maurice Smith 12 rushes, 79 yards
Receiving Gabriel Jackson 2 receptions, 48 yards
Valdosta State Passing Sammy Edwards 14/20, 225 yards, 2 TD, INT
Rushing Blake Hester 12 rushes, 121 yards, 3 TD
Receiving Rodney Bullard 2 receptions, 87 yards, TD

At Delta State

1 2 3 4 Total
No. 1 Blazers 14 14 14 7 49
Statesmen 7 6 0 7 20
Statistics VSU DSU
First downs 17 24
Total yards 356 352
Rushing yards 169 239
Passing yards 187 113
Turnovers 1 3
Time of possession 27:32 32:28
Team Category Player Statistics
Valdosta State Passing Sammy Edwards 12/19, 187 yards, TD, INT
Rushing Alfonso Franklin 14 rushes, 107 yards, 3 TD
Receiving Rodney Bullard 3 receptions, 121 yards, TD
Delta State Passing Cole Kirk 13/32, 113 yards, TD
Rushing Kelvin Smith 25 rushes, 112 yards
Receiving Kelvin Smith 4 receptions, 57 yards

No. 16 West Florida

1 2 3 4 Total
No. 16 Argonauts 0 0 7 0 7
No. 1 Blazers 0 14 7 7 28
Statistics UWF VSU
First downs 10 20
Total yards 209 358
Rushing yards 80 204
Passing yards 129 154
Turnovers 0 0
Time of possession 25:14 34:46
Team Category Player Statistics
West Florida Passing Marcus Stokes 11/24, 129 yards
Rushing Marcus Stokes 9 rushes, 33 yards, TD
Receiving Javon Swinton 3 receptions, 47 yards
Valdosta State Passing Sammy Edwards 14/20, 154 yards, 2 TD
Rushing Blake Hester 21 rushes, 118 yards, TD
Receiving Rodney Bullard 3 receptions, 74 yards, TD

No. 22 Miles (NCAA Division II Second Round)

1 2 3 4 Total
No. 22 Golden Bears 3 0 0 14 17
No. 1 Blazers 13 3 14 3 33
Statistics MIL VSU
First downs 19 18
Total yards 307 408
Rushing yards 83 230
Passing yards 224 178
Turnovers 1 0
Time of possession 30:21 29:39
Team Category Player Statistics
Miles Passing Kam Ivory 22/41, 224 yards, 2 TD, INT
Rushing Jonero Scott 17 rushes, 54 yards
Receiving Jaquel Fells 7 receptions, 92 yards
Valdosta State Passing Sammy Edwards 14/28, 178 yards, TD
Rushing Blake Hester 20 rushes, 132 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Graeson Malashevich 4 receptions, 68 yards

No. 25 Virginia Union (NCAA Division II Quarterfinal)

1 2 3 4 Total
No. 25 Panthers 0 7 0 7 14
No. 1 Blazers 7 21 14 7 49
Statistics VUU VSU
First downs 12 21
Total yards 227 560
Rushing yards 139 223
Passing yards 88 337
Turnovers 2 0
Time of possession 29:21 30:39
Team Category Player Statistics
Virginia Union Passing R. J. Rosales 8/16, 88 yards, TD
Rushing Jada Byers 22 rushes, 109 yards, TD
Receiving Keon Davis 1 reception, 42 yards
Valdosta State Passing Sammy Edwards 13/19, 302 yards, 4 TD
Rushing Alfonso Franklin 15 rushes, 64 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Rodney Bullard 5 receptions, 158 yards, 3 TD

Minnesota State (NCAA Division II Semifinal)

1 2 3 4 Total
Mavericks 0 7 7 7 21
No. 1 Blazers 7 7 14 7 35
Statistics MSU VSU
First downs 18 21
Total yards 325 385
Rushing yards 177 213
Passing yards 148 172
Turnovers 1 0
Time of possession 30:09 29:51
Team Category Player Statistics
Minnesota State Passing Hayden Ekern 14/25, 148 yards, TD, INT
Rushing Sam Backer 10 rushes, 109 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Grant Guyett 4 receptions, 47 yards
Valdosta State Passing Sammy Edwards 14/19, 172 yards, 2 TD
Rushing Alfonso Franklin 24 rushes, 152 yards, 3 TD
Receiving Alfonso Franklin 4 receptions, 66 yards, 2 TD

Vs. No. 2 Ferris State (NCAA Division II Championship)

See also: 2024 NCAA Division II Football Championship Game and 2024 Ferris State Bulldogs football team
1 2 3 4 Total
No. 2 Bulldogs 14 14 14 7 49
No. 1 Blazers 0 7 7 0 14
Statistics FSU VSU
First downs 21 19
Total yards 465 311
Rushing yards 251 121
Passing yards 214 190
Turnovers 0 1
Time of possession 29:15 30:45
Team Category Player Statistics
Ferris State Passing Trinidad Chambliss 11/20, 153 yards, 3 TD
Rushing Kannon Katzer 14 rushes, 97 yards
Receiving Cam Underwood 3 receptions, 86 yards, 2 TD
Valdosta State Passing Sammy Edwards 25/42, 190 yards, 2 TD
Rushing Alfonso Franklin 14 rushes, 102 yards
Receiving Tyler Ajiero 5 receptions, 57 yards, TD

References

  1. ^ a b "No. 3 Blazers Ground the Flying Fleet in Record-Setting Fashion, 73-0". Valdosta State Blazers. September 21, 2024.
  2. ^ "Prairie View A&M Hires Tremaine Jackson As Head Coach". Sports Illustrated. December 21, 2024. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
  3. ^ "Trent Earley Named Interim Head Coach of Blazer Football". Valdosta State Blazers. December 21, 2024. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
  4. ^ "2024 GSC Preseason Football Coaches Poll Announced". Gulf South Conference. July 23, 2024. Retrieved December 25, 2024.
  5. ^ "No. 6/7 Blazers Open 2024 Season with 42-10 Victory Saturday Evening". Valdosta State Blazers. August 31, 2024.
  6. ^ "No. 5/7 Blazer Football Uses Strong Running Attack to Defeat Newberry on the Road, 27-14". Valdosta State Vikings. September 7, 2024.
  7. ^ "Blazers blank Broncos 34-0". The Valdosta Daily Times. September 17, 2024.
  8. ^ "No. 5 Blazers Blank Broncos, 34-0". Valdosta State Blazers. January 14, 2024.
  9. ^ "Blazer Football Game Versus West Alabama Canceled; Saturday Volleyball Moved to 3 p.m." Valdosta State Blazers. September 25, 2024.
  10. ^ "No. 3 Blazers Burn Shorter in 59-6 Victory Saturday Afternoon". Valdosta State Blazers. October 5, 2024.
  11. ^ "No. 3 Blazers Dig Deep and Battle Back for Thrilling 32-24 Victory at North Greenville". Valdosta State Blazers. October 12, 2024.
  12. ^ "#3 Valdosta State Defeats Mississippi College 35-10 in GSC Showdown". Go Choctaws. October 19, 2024.
  13. ^ "Top-Ranked Blazers Post Third Shutout of the Season in 52-0 Rout of Chowan". Valdosta State Blazers. November 2, 2024.
  14. ^ "Top-Ranked Valdosta State Dominates Delta State for 49-20 Victory on the Road". Valdosta State Blazers. November 9, 2024.
  15. ^ "Top-Ranked Blazers Down No. 16 West Florida for Eleventh Gulf South Conference Title, 28-7". Valdosta State Blazers. November 17, 2024.
  16. ^ Becky Taylor (November 30, 2024). "Valdosta State advances with 33-17 drubbing of Miles College". The Valdosta Daily Times.
  17. ^ Becky Taylor (December 7, 2024). "Valdosta State blasts Virginia Union to reach Div. II semifinals". The Valdosta Daily Times.
  18. ^ Austin Bruce (December 14, 2024). "5-touchdown game for Franklin, VSU Blazers headed back to national championship game". The Valdosta Daily Times.
  19. ^ Caison Kirkland (December 20, 2024). "Blazers and Bulldogs battle for NCAA Division II championship". The Valdosta Daily Times.
  20. ^ Becky Taylor (December 22, 2024). "Ferris State hot early in national title win over Valdosta State". The Valdosta Daily Times.
  21. ^ "2024 Football Schedule". Valdosta State Blazers. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
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