The Blazer’s defense and special teams kept the game tight with a few clutch plays while the offense struggled to produce in a 24-17 victory over Newberry.

Coach David Dean’s defense made an early statement when Ryan Smith intercepted Newberry quarterback, Bryan Ehrlich on their second drive, but the Blazers failed to score.

However, the VSU defense took the scoring into their own hands when Matt Pierce scooped up a fumble and returned it 49 yards for the score, giving the Blazers an early 7-0 lead.

After a few back and forth defensive stops between the two teams, the Blazers then went to their special teams for scoring. Newberry punted the ball away to VSU’s Quin Roberson who took the ball back 81 yards for the touchdown, increasing the lead to 14-0 in favor of the Blazers.

The very next drive, Ehrlich was once again intercepted by Smith; however, the VSU offense stalled once again.

Newberry would capitalize on VSU’s missed opportunity by putting together a 14 play drive capped off by a 2-yard touchdown pass from Ehrlich to Jake James, which put Newberry within seven points of the Blazers right before the half.

After a relatively back and forth defensive battle in the third quarter, Newberry put together another long which ended when Ehrlich found Brandon Bostick for the 31-yard touchdown pass. This was Ehrlich’s second touchdown pass and it tied the game up at 14 early in the fourth quarter.

The Blazers wasted no time in responding to the score. VSU only needed five plays to find the end zone. Austen Roberts was 5-5 passing for 70 yards on the drive, capped off by a 36-yard touchdown pass to Roberson.

Roberts finished the game 19-34 for 194 yards and a touchdown, which ended up being the score to put the Blazers ahead for good. Roberson accumulated 73 yards on seven catches with a score plus a punt return for a touchdown earlier in the game.

Following the score, Newberry marched down and kicked a field goal, making it a 21-17 game.

Newberry stopped VSU on the next drive, forcing them to punt, but the ball was fumbled on the return setting the Blazers up for one more field goal to finalize the score at 24-17.

The “Black Swarm” of defenders stepped up once again in the final few seconds of the game when Chris Pope intercepted Ehrlich on the 4-yard line, securing the 24-17 victory for the Blazers.

The “Black Swarm” of defenders stepped up once again in the final few seconds of the game when Chris Pope intercepted Ehrlich on the 4-yard line, securing the 24-17 victory for the Blazers.

Smith was named GSC Defensive Player of the Week this week for his performance Thursday night. Smith made 11 tackles including two tackles for a loss on top of his two red zone interceptions.

VSU will be on the road this weekend when they face No. 7 Albany State Saturday.