Valdosta State’s Matt Pierce (26) celebrates his second interception return for a touchdown, which gave VSU the lead in Saturday’s win over West Alabama.

Valdosta State cornerback Matt Pierce came up huge for his team in this past Saturday’s victory over the West Alabama Tigers.

Pierce recorded two interceptions for touchdowns in VSU’s 22-21 victory, earning himself Valdosta Daily Times and Gulf South Conference Player of the Week honors.

“Two huge plays,” Valdosta State head coach David Dean said. “It is funny, I sat there and watched him on the play where he had the (second) interception, and he did a good job at baiting the quarterback and broke as soon as he realized the quarterback was coming in that direction. He made a great play, and turned on the jets and scored. Man, it was huge, obviously, because it was the difference in the game.”

Pierce becomes the third different Blazer to be named GSC Defensive Player of the Week, while becoming the third Blazer to be named the Daily Times’ Player of the Week, joining quarterback Austen Roberts and running back David Bailey as the only other Blazers to earn the local honor.

Pierce scored VSU’s final 12-points in the win, scoring on a 35-yard interception return in the second quarter and an 85-yard interception return in the fourth quarter.

The early score gave VSU a 16-7 lead, while his late score, which came with 5:25 to play, gave momentum, and the lead, back to the Blazers.

After the game, Pierce said he had seen the route earlier in the game, which led to his second interception.

“I saw the route earlier in the game, and when the receiver tightened down his splits, I had a feeling that’s who they were going to go to,” Pierce said post game. “I just kind of wanted to sit and play it out and I came away with the pick.”

Pierce said the play was one that he will remember forever.

“It was a big play,” Pierce said. “One thing I can remember when I caught it was the crowd noise elevated. It is one I will remember forever.”

Besides punter Jack Fulford, Pierce has the most starts of any VSU Blazer on the roster. He has been starting since his freshman year. Pierce started at safety during the 2009 season before moving back to his natural position of cornerback for the 2010 season.

Pierce recorded just one interception in his first two seasons with the team. Following Saturday’s game, Pierce now has four interceptions this season, to go along with his 27 tackles and his fumble recovery, which he returned for a score in VSU’s 24-17 victory over Newberry back on Sept. 10.

The victory improved VSU to 6-1 on the year, and 1-0 in Gulf South Conference play. Now, Valdosta State heads to Cleveland, Miss. to take on the No. 1 ranked Delta State Statesmen this Saturday.