Valdosta State’s David Bailey turns up field to gain yardage against Arkansas-Monticello last Saturday. Bailey led VSU with 124 yards rushing on 19 carries.

The Valdosta State Blazers are back on the practice fields busy at work following their 23-9 loss to Arkansas-Monticello this past Saturday.

While the Blazers haven’t forgotten about the loss to the Boll Weevils, they aren’t dwelling on the loss either, as their attention has turned towards this Saturdays matchup with the Ouachita Baptist Tigers.

“You are always going to learn from it, but as far as reminiscing on the game, it is behind us,” Valdosta State head coach David Dean said. “Very rarely do you ever go an entire season undefeated. That is a rare feat. At some point (losing) was going to happen.”

The Blazers worked out for close to three hours on Tuesday, and practice was noticeably more up tempo than previous practices.

“Our players are coming out with a little more attitude,” Dean said. “It was good to see our guys come out with a little more intensity and with a purpose to get better.”

Penalties taking a toll

Through the first five games of the season, the Valdosta State Blazers are the 11th highest penalized team in the nation, averaging 10.4 penalties for 95.8 yards per game.

“We just have to be better technicians,” Dean said. “It seems like some holding calls or some of those deals where we’re just not moving out feet enough. I don’t understand, some of those are blocks that are exactly how we teach, so maybe we are teaching things wrong.”

Last week, the Blazers were flagged for 15 times for a season-high 177 yards in their loss to Arkansas-Monticello, with the majority of penalties canceling out positive offensive plays for VSU.

“It is a lack of technique, lack of concentration and getting lazy,” Dean said.

Valdosta State isn’t alone as Gulf South Conference schools being penalized this season. No. 1 ranked North Alabama is tied with VSU for number of penalties per game, although the Lions are averaging 86.6 penalty yards per game. Third-ranked Delta State is averaging 11.3 penalties per game.

Jackson to return; Thomas to start

Running back Theseus Jackson did not make the trip to Monticello, Ark. last Saturday with the Blazers after suffering a leg injury in the week before. On Tuesday, Jackson did practice and Dean is hopeful he will play.

“It doesn’t look like (Theseus) is 100 percent, but he is moving around much better,” Dean said. “So, hopefully by Saturday he is going to be back well.”

Center Jake Thomas will return to the starting center roll, after finishing last Saturday’s game at the position when guard Robert Newton was injured. Thomas suffered a sprained ankle against Newberry and Saturday’s game was his first time dressing since the injury occurred.

Dean has eyes on Winnersville

With two former Lowndes Vikings and one former Valdosta Wildcat on the 2011 Valdosta State roster, Dean said it is hard to ignore the rivalry game.

Dean said he wishes the two teams could end in a tie, as he is friends with both coaching staffs.

“If they end in a tie, I will love it,” Dean said. “Both staffs are great people, and I enjoy being with both of those staffs. I can’t decide one way or the other on who I would want to win, because they are both great programs.”

Dean called the game fun, and said he and his coaching staff will be in attendance on Friday night. Dean said he also expects some of the former Lowndes and Valdosta players to be in attendance, despite the earlier flight to Ouachita the next morning.