VALDOSTA, Ga. – Fourth-ranked Valdosta State University (5-0, 2-0 GSC) scored 21 first-quarter points and never looked back on the way to a 55-0 win over Delta State University (2-4, 0-2 GSC) on Saturday night at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium.
THE BASICS
Score: #4 Valdosta State 55 | Delta State 0
Records: Statesmen (2-4, 0-3 GSC) | Blazers (5-0, 2-0)
Date: Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021 |
TOG: 2:52
Location: Bazemore-Hyder Stadium | Valdosta, Ga.
Series: Delta State leads 20-19-1
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HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Jamar Thompkins used a reverse on the opening kickoff and returned it 90 yards to give Valdosta State a fast 7-0 lead.
- Ivory Durham tossed a 31-yard touchdown pass to Lio'undre Gallimore strike the Blazers to a 14-0 lead just 2:50 into the game.
- Tompkins added a four-yard run to cap the first-quarter scoring and give VSU a 21-0 lead.
- The Blazers added 14 second-quarter points starting with a Seth McGill 35-yard run with 10:14 remaining.
- A Delta State drive stalled at the VSU 27, but the 44-yard field goal try by Connor Mantelli missed wide left with 2:31 to go before halftime.
- The Blazers took possession and drove 73-yards, scoring on a Tompkins four-yard run to give Valdosta State a 35-0 heading to halftime.
- The third quarter scoring started on a Chris Barrett 22-yard touchdown catch from Durham for a 42-0 lead at the 10:14 mark.
- Durham added a 10-yard run with 4:55 left in the third quarter to make the score 49-0.
- Estin Thiele made field goals of 36 and 41 yards field to give VSU a 55-0 lead in the fourth quarter.
- An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on second and goal at the VSU 1 unraveled the Statesmen final offensive drive, resulting in a missed 31-yard field.
OFFENSIVE NOTEABLES:
- Cole Kirk complete 10-of-20 passes for 126 yards and was sacked three times.
- Patrick Shegog was 7-of-12 for 76 yards before giving way to Kirk in the first half.
- Dohnte Meyers led DSU with five catches for 50 yards.
- Todd Lee Battle a team-high 63-yards on three catches.
- Kory Gainwell rushed 15 times for 65 yards and Deion Dampier had 48 yards on 11 totes.
- The Statesmen had 361 yards, 202 yards passing and 159 yards rushing.
DEFENSIVE NOTEABLES:
SPECIAL TEAMS NOTEABLES:
- Gainwell returned four kickoffs for 93 yards.
- Parker Burleson punted five times for 31.8 yards per punt and two inside the 20.
- Mantelli finished the night 0-for-3 in field goal attempts.
OTHER NOTEABLES:
- The shutout was the second shutout in the series dating back to a 42-0 VSU win in 2002.
- Delta State has dropped the last six games in the series.
UP NEXT:
Delta State welcomes North Greenville University on Saturday, Oct. 16 at 2 p.m. at Parker Field-McCool Statesmen.