ChrisRobinson_FB_102216
27
Delta State DSU 4-4 , 3-3
56
Winner Valdosta State VSU 6-1 , 4-1
Delta State DSU
4-4 , 3-3
27
Final
56
Valdosta State VSU
6-1 , 4-1
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
DSU Delta State 7 14 0 6 27
VSU Valdosta State 21 7 0 28 56

Game Recap: Football | | J.T. Webb

Big Second Half Lifts Valdosta State over Statesmen

VALDOSTA, Georgia – Valdosta State outscored the Delta State University football team 28-6 during the second half in a 56-27 victory in Gulf South Conference action on Saturday at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium.  
 
 
The Basics
  • Score: Valdosta State 56, Delta State 27
  • Records: Blazers 6-1, 4-1, GSC | Statesmen, (4-4, 3-3, GSC)
  • Date: Saturday, Oct. 22 | 3:00 p.m. (ET) Kickoff
  • Location: Bazemore-Hyder Stadium | Valdosta, Ga.  
  • Series: DSU leads 20-15-1
  • Get Social: Twitter - @DeltaStateFB | Facebook – DSUStatesmen | Instagram – DSUAthletics
 
How It Happened
 
Scoring | How it Happened:
  • The Blazers scored on their first possession of the game, as Roland Rivers found Dallas Baldner for a 10-yard touchdown pass.
  • The Statesmen responded quickly, as Chris Robinson peeled of a 63-yard run and then found the end zone from eight yards out on the next play. That tied the score at seven with 9:03 left in the opening quarter.
  • VSU scored on its next drive, as Rivers capped off a five play 65-yard drive with a five-yard touchdown run to give the Blazers a 14-7 lead with 6:29 left in the opening quarter.
  • On the next possession, following a 54-yard pass from Tyler Sullivan to D'Juan Bellaire, the Statesmen had the ball at the VSU three, but were unable to capitalize as Cody Mills had his 22-yard field goal blocked and returned for a touchdown by Anthony Ingram.
  • After back-to-back defensive stops, the Statesmen got to within 21-14 when Robinson had a 49-yard catch and run to set up a nine-yard touchdown run on the following play.
  • The Statesmen tied the game for the final time with 4:48 left in the first half, when Robinson scored from five yards out, tying the score at 21.
  • VSU took the lead for good just 2:36 later on a 70-yard punt return by Gary Simon.
  • The Statesmen attempted to respond, but Bellaire was stopped on fourth and goal from the Valdosta State two yard line as time expired in the first half.
  • After a pair of fourth down conversions, one via penalty, VSU capitalized with a one yard run by Cedric Hollingshed to give the hosts a 35-21 lead with 14:57 left in the game.  
  • With DSU driving, on its next possession, Jabe Burgess had his pass intercepted and returned 90 yards. VSU cashed in two plays later on a one yard run by Hollingshed to make the score 42-21 with 11:29 left. 
  • The hosts added to their lead 3:42 later, when on third and 11, Adam Robles found Stephen Denmark for a 35-yard touchdown.
  • DSU responded on its next drive, as Sullivan hit Tyler Harrell for a 23 yard touchdown pass. The extra point was no good, making the score 49-27 with 5:06 left.
  • The Blazers scored the final touchdown of the game, when Robles completed a 13-yard pass to Anthony Ingram.                                             
Offense:
  • Robinson finished with 18 carries for 131 yards and three touchdowns. He also caught five passes for 79 yards.
  • Sullivan finished 14-for-24 for 184 yards with a touchdown and an interception, while Burgess was 11-of-19 for 176 yards with an interception.
  • Ten different receivers caught passes for the Statesmen.
  • DSU finished with 80 plays for 477 yards, including 360 in the air.
  • The Blazers ran 77 plays for 374 yards, with 219 coming via the passing game.
 
Defense:
  • Landry Tullo led the defense with eight tackles, including a tackle for loss.
  • The Statesmen finished with nine tackles for a total loss of 34 yards.
  • VSU finished with five quarterback sacks and DSU finished with two.
 
Special Teams:
  • Mills punted seven times for an average of 38.1, including a long of 46. Two of his punts were downed inside the 20.
  • LaDarion Peterson returned five kicks for 126 yards.
  • Simon returned two punts for 96 yards, including one for a 70-yard touchdown.
 Key Stats:
  • VSU scored 14 points off special teams, and set up a touchdown with a 90-yard interception return.
  • The teams combined for 22 penalties for 296 yards. DSU was flagged 13 times for 142 yards.
 
Game Changer
  • The Blazers converted on a pair of fourth downs in DSU territory, including one via penalty, to set up its touchdown to go ahead 35-21 with 14:57 left in the game.  
 
Notables
  • With his second touchdown of the game, Robinson broke the DSU record for touchdowns in a season (21). The record had previously been held by Josh Bright in 2000.
  • Robinson has led the Statesmen in rushing and receiving in back-to-back games.
  • Sullivan now has 75 career touchdown passes.
 
 
 Up Next

The Statesmen return home to face No. 10 North Alabama. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. DSU will honor its senior class before the start of the contest.    
 
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