MAGNOLIA, Ark. — On the same day Valdosta State moved up to No. 3 in the Southeast Region rankings, the Blazers tried to make a case to keep that spot, as they defeated Southern Arkansas 38-16 Monday.
Playing just four days after their previous game, the Blazers finished the regular season by coming from behind and then running away from the Muleriders.
The Muleriders (1-8, 1-6 in the GSC) built an early 10-0 lead, before VSU (8-2, 6-2) scored 31 unanswered points.
P.J. Curbeam put the Blazers ahead with 0:55 left in the first half, catching his first touchdown pass at VSU. Chris Hart, playing in his first full drive of the day, after coming off the bench, found Curbeam on a 6-yard pass.
It was the first of a career-high four touchdown passes for Hart, who completed 9-of-13 passes for 134 yards.
“He played a good ball game,” VSU head coach David Dean said. “He’s still making some freshman mistakes, but when he makes a critical mistake, he always seems to make a big play.”
Hart’s first touchdown came after a Southern Arkansas turnover, one of three in the game, and the first of two that led to touchdowns.
After VSU struggled to move the ball on a drive in the third quarter and had to punt, Southern Arkansas punt returner Clarence Wright had the ball stripped by Carlos Anderson. Anderson, who ripped the ball out of Wright’s hands, brought the ball to the Muleriders’ 11-yard line. After Tucker Pruitt ran the ball twice, without a gain, Hart came in on third down and found Albert Dukes on a fade route in the end zone for a 31-10 lead.
“It’s a positive for us because we had not been doing that on turnovers,” Dean said. “That ended up being a big difference in the ball game.”
Dukes had two touchdown catches for the Blazers, and caught four balls for 86 yards. T.J. Williams had 98 yards on six catches, as well as a touchdown for the Blazers.
The Muleriders had the advantage until the end of the first quarter, before the Blazers took control.
On the first offensive possession of the game, Southern Arkansas got the better of VSU’s defense, driving 74 yards on seven plays. After a 56-yard pass from Ryan McCombie to Michael Chatman, the Muleriders were within striking distance, and went to the ground on four straight plays. Chris Metcalf finished the drive with a 1-yard run, giving Southern Arkansas a 7-0 lead.
The Blazers then took over possession, with Pruitt leading VSU onto the field. The senior quarterback tossed a 4-yard pass to Isaiah Jupiter, rushed for two yards, then fumbled the football away on another running play at the Blazers’ 43-yard line.
The two defenses came away with successful series, then the Southern Arkansas offense drove into the red zone again.
This time, VSU stopped the drive on the 9-yard line, forcing the Muleriders and Noe’ Cuevas to kick a 26-yard field goal.
Following Cuevas’ field goal, the Blazers had their chance to get on the scoreboard, starting at their own 44-yard line. Pruitt led the Blazers to Southern Arkansas’ 35-yard line, then Hart came in for the first time on the night. The redshirt freshman put up a 35-yard strike to T.J. Williams in the back of the end zone to get the Blazers on the board as the first quarter clock ticked down to 0:29.
The Blazers would tie the game three minutes later, when Devin Sabina kicked his first field goal, splitting the uprights from 27 yards.
The Blazers now have to wait six days to find out who they will face in the first round of the Division II playoffs, which begin Nov. 15.
“They deserve some time off,” Dean said. “We’re going to come back Wednesday, take a look at this film and maybe evaluate the playoffs and wait for Sunday.”
Local Sports
Blazers beat Southern Arkansas, 38-16
Hart throws four TD passes in win
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