VALDOSTA —  A standout performance on defense and strong play offensively, especially in the running game, propelled the top-ranked Valdosta State football team to a 28-7 victory over No. 16 West Florida to win its 11^th GSC Championship in program history and the first outright GSC title since winning back-to-back titles in 2018 and 2019.  

  The 11 Gulf South Conference titles by the Blazers are the most among current GSC institutions and second-most all-time in league history behind North Alabama with 13 titles.  The 10-0 record by VSU is the fifth undefeated regular season in program history and the third time in the past six playing seasons (2018, 2019).  VSU finished GSC play with a 6-0 record as its game against West Alabama was canceled on Sept. 28 due to Hurricane Helene. 

 The 2024 NCAA Division II Football Selection Show is scheduled for Sunday evening at 6 p.m. and will be broadcast on NCAA.com on the D2 Football page.  

 The Argos (7-3, 5-2 GSC) moved down to the VSU 34, but on a 4^th and four, the Blazer “D” stood tall as quarterback Marcus Stokes threw a slant pass which was deflected by senior Montae Boyd turning UWF away on its opening possession.   VSU has held its opposition to just 7 of 21 on fourth down this season for 19^th nationally.   UWF forced VSU to a three-and-out on its opening possession, marking just the fourth time this season VSU had not scored on its opening drive this season.

 On the ensuing UWF drive, following a 61-yard punt from sophomore Noah Botsford, junior Sterling Roberts came in for a huge sack of Stokes forcing a fourth down.  Sophomore Ethan Nation had a great punt return into UWF territory to the UWF 46 with 5:35 to play in the first quarter.  On a 3^rd and 7, a nice pass from Blazer senior quarterback Sammy Edwards to junior Armani Hayes gave VSU its first, first down of the game.   

The Blazers then had a fourth and one from the UWF 24, but a delay of game penalty moved them back to the 29 and Edwards’ pass was just short of a diving senior Rodney Bullard at the goal line turning the ball back over to the Argos for a scoreless first 15 minutes. It was only the third scoreless quarter of the season for VSU.

 Following a punt from UWF, Edwards used his legs for a big gain on a 3^rd and 7 for 17-yards to the 50.  On the very next play, Edwards rolled out and hit Bullard in stride for a 50-yard catch and run for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead with 8:55 to play in the half.  It was Bullard’s team-leading ninth touchdown reception of the season.   

 VSU moved down to the UWF 31 for a first down with two minutes remaining in the half as the Blazers started to open some running lanes on the last two drives.  Graduate student Blake Hester found a big hole for a 21-yard touchdown run and a 14-0 lead with 1:18 remaining in the half.  It was Hester’s 11^th rushing touchdown of the season for the most on the team.

 The Argos got a big third down conversion in the final minute of the half on a pass from Stokes to Corey Scott for 18 yards to the VSU 37.  Graduate student Diego Bremer separated TJ Lane from the ball on a 2^ndand 10, but UWF challenged the play for targeting.  Following a lengthy review, the incomplete pass call stood.  A holding call on UWF followed for 2^nd and 20 from the VSU 47 with 16 seconds remaining in the half.  Stokes completed a pass to Jay Sharp for 16 yards as time expired in the half. 

 For the half, VSU tallied 193 yards in the first half on 27 plays with 100 yards on the ground and 93 through the air as Edwards was 7 of 9 passing.  Hester had nine carries for 53 yards and a touchdown, while Bullard had two receptions for 68 yards and a touchdown.  

 UWF had 95 total yards on 28 plays with 40 yards on the ground on 14 carries and Stokes was 6 of 14 passing for 55 yards.  Lane had five rushes for 26 yards, while Scott had two receptions for 26 yards.

 The Blazers had to punt on their first drive of the second half, but Botsford pinned the Argos at their own ten.  This time with a 51-yard punt to open the second half.   Following a three-and-out by the Argos, VSU moved from its own 30 to the UWF 33 for a 3^rd and 5.  Edwards rolled out once again and hit senior Tyler Ajiero for a 33-yard touchdown strike and a 21-0 lead with 7:04 to play in the third.  

UWF would answer, however as it used a big pass from Stokes to Javon Swinton for 33 yards and then on a 4^th and 1 from the VSU 31, Stokes broke a tackle for a 31-yard touchdown run pulling UWF within 21-7 with 4:53 remaining in the third quarter. 

 The Argos had a spark following the touchdown from Stokes and forced VSU to punt on its ensuing possession.  Starting at its own 17, UWF converted a big 3^rd and 3 for 12 yards to Zac Offord for a first down at the UWF 36 to end the third quarter.  VSU forced a 4^th and 5 from the 48 and came up with a huge stop on a run to turn the Argos over on downs for the second time in the game. 

 VSU methodically moved down the field chewing up the clock to under eight minutes as senior Alfonso Franklin broke off a big run down to the UWF five for a first and goal.  Franklin scored from the goal line for a 28-7 lead with 6:14 to play.  UWF was unable to do anything on its final possession as VSU ran out the clock and the celebration was on in Titletown.