VinceSciorrotta_FB_102117
Elisabetta Zengaro
34
Winner Valdosta State VSU 3-3 , 3-2
13
Delta State DSU 6-2 , 4-2
Winner
Valdosta State VSU
3-3 , 3-2
34
Final
13
Delta State DSU
6-2 , 4-2
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
VSU Valdosta State 14 10 7 3 34
DSU Delta State 3 0 3 7 13

Game Recap: Football |

Statesmen Fall To Blazers 34-13

CLEVELAND, Miss. – Valdosta State (3-3, 3-2 GSC) forced four Delta State (6-2, 4-2 GSC) turnovers en route to a 34-13 victory over the No. 19-ranked Statesmen on Saturday, Oct. 21 at Parker Field-McCool Stadium. The loss was DSU's third straight to the Blazers and their second straight at home. Despite the loss, the Statesmen remain in a tie for second place in the Gulf South Conference standings.

Vince Sciorrotta became the Gulf South Conference's all-time leading scorer by kick in the loss, eclipsing former Valdosta State kicker Will Rhody's mark of 308 points. The senior finished the day with seven points, moving his career total to 313.
 
The Delta Cotton Belles and DSU's Breast Education and Early Detection Program (BEEP) sponsored Saturday's "Pink Out" at Parker Field-McCool Stadium. During halftime, DSU Athletics recognized Angelina Rice, Rosie McConnells and Lucy Mean. All three ladies are cancer survivors and members of the Cotton Belles, a Delta based non-profit focused on caner education.     
 
THE BASICS
  • Score: Valdosta State 34, Delta State 13
  • Records: Statesmen (6-2, 4-2 GSC) | Blazers (3-3, 3-2 GSC)
  • Date: Saturday, Oct. 21 | 2 p.m. Kickoff
  • Location: Parker Field-McCool Stadium | Cleveland, Miss.
  • Attendance: 3,451
  • Series: Delta State leads the all-time series 20-16-1
  • Get Social: Twitter - @DeltaStateFB | Facebook – DSUStatesmen | Instagram – DSUAthletics
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
  • Alex Williams' 95-yard fumble return for a touchdown put the Blazers up 7-0 with 11:27 to play in the first quarter.
  • With 9:41 left in the first, Rogan Wells connected with Brian Saunds on a 14-yard touchdown pass to put VSU up 14-0.
  • Vince Sciorrotta put the Statesmen on the board with a 42-yard field goal with 59 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
  • Jordan Germany made the most of his only carry of the half, rumbling 56 yards for a score. The long run put the Blazers on top 21-3 with 7:09 left in the second quarter.
  • Andrew Gray's 45-yard field goal with nine seconds remaining in the half put the Blazers up 24-3 right before the half.
  • Delta State had three trips inside the red zone in the first half, but converted just one of them into points.
  • DSU marched 68 yards on 18 plays to open the second half, as Sciorrotta made a 24-yard field goal to cut the VSU lead to 18, 24-6, with 9:30 to play in the third quarter.
  • After DSU's third turnover of the day, Wells capped-off a 40-yard drive with a 4-yard touchdown run to extend Valdosta State's lead to 31-6 with 5:39 to play in the third quarter.
  • Cliff Fernandez's first reception as a Statesman was a big one, as the senior Iowa State transfer, hauled in a 6-yard Collin Willis pas for a touchdown with 10:04 to play in the game. The scoring drive cut VSU's lead to 18, 31-13.
  • VSU tacked on a 23-yard field goal by Gray to extend its lead to 34-13 with 4:24 to go in the contest. A Brandon Roe interception set up the Blazers at the Statesman 6-yard line.                                                         

Offensive Notables:
  • Delta State ran 65 plays for 304 yards, passing for 189 and rushing for 115, in the loss.
  • DSU struggled to find a rhythm all day, as Breck Ruddick completed 9-of-25 attempts for 84 yards with two interceptions. Collin Willis finished the afternoon 13-of-24 for 105 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
  • Chris Robinson was held to a mere 34 yards on 12 carries, while Ruddick closed the day with 30 yards on 15 attempts.
  • Tyler Harrell led all receivers with five grabs for 67 yards.
  • Valdosta State rolled up 399 yards on 69 plays, as Rogan Wells passed for 233 yards, completing 15-of-29 attempts, and a touchdown.
  • Germany led all rushers with 77 yards and a touchdown on just seven carries. Wells added 45 yards and a score on a game-high 20 attempts.
  • Kenny Benjamin paced the Blazers with four receptions for 28 yards.    
 
Defensive Notables:
  • Landry Tullo led the Statesmen with 10.5 tackles, including nine solo stops. The senior from Hoover, Ala., also tallied 2.0 tackles-for-loss and one quarterback hurry.
  • Ovenson Cledanord totaled 8.5 tackles with one sack and a forced fumble.
  • Chandler Ector and Johnquavious McBride finished with 6.5 tackles each.
  • DSU's defense managed 5.5 sacks on the day, including 9.0 tackles-for-loss.
  • Sharmine Washington led the Blazers with 9.5 tackles.
  • VSU picked-off three Statesmen passes, one each by Brandon Roe, Decary Croaker, and Donte Taylor.    
 
Special Teams:
  • Sciorrotta began the GSC's all-time scoring leader by kick with his 42-yard field goal in the first quarter. The senior from Gainesville, Ga., broke former Valdosta State kicker Will Rhody's mark of 308 points, who established the previous record from 2002-2004. He finished the day with seven points to bring his career total to 313.
  • Sam Barge punted six times for 246 yards, an average of 41.0 yards per punt.
  • Gray was 2-for-3 on field goals for the Blazers.
  • Gavin Wilson punted six times for 261 yards, including a long of 55 yards. He closed the afternoon averaging 43.5 yards per punt.
  • LaDarion Peterson returned three kicks for 114 yards, including a 48-yard return.
  
Up Next:
 
  • The Statesmen travel to Florence, Ala., next Saturday, Oct. 28 as Delta State faces the University of North Alabama for the final time in NCAA Division II play. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Braly Municipal Stadium. Matt Jones, Philip Tang and Lane Quinton will have the call on the Statesmen Sports Network starting at 5 p.m. with the DSU Alumni Association Statesmen Gameday Report.




 
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