The VSU football team is ready to rebound from their 39-28 loss to No. 19 West Alabama last Saturday and could use a confidence boosting win over Edward Waters this weekend before they start the rest of their tough schedule.
 
Although the following four games after Saturday are against Gulf South Conference teams, the game is expected to be closer than many think against the NAIA opponent.

 The 2009 season was the last time the two teams met and VSU won 70-6.

  “I hope it gets out of hand. They are much better football team than they were in ’09. Offensively, my goodness they’re scary. They do some good things and they’ve done a great job coaching those guys, “VSU Head Coach David Dean said.

 Similar to the season opener loss at Saginaw Valley State, quarterback Cayden Cochran suffered a big hit in the game that sidelined him which brought sophomore Graham Craig in to finish second half.

 Coach Dean this week confirmed that Cochran will be starting Saturday. 

 The Blazers were torched through the air giving up 378 passing yards in their first loss and gave up 332 rushing yards last Saturday.

 Staying focused on individual assignments has been heavily stressed in practice to limit yardage given up in previous losses.

 The Tigers’ offenseresembles the option style like UWA so it’s vital that there isn’t a repeat. 

 The Blazers now prepare for the second half of the season and plan to move on and use their recent loss as motivation.

  “Our focus is a little better”, Quin Roberson, junior wide reciever, said. “ We’re trying to put that loss behind us. We get into the meat of conference play; you don’t want to go into conference play with a loss.  We’re just focusing on Edward Waters right now taking it one game at a time.”

 VSU hits the road next week traveling to Carrolton, Ga to face the West Georgia Wolves then to Florence, Ala. the following week to face the North Alabama Lions.  

 Rivals UNA is currently on a two game winning streak, while UWG hasn’t lost a game at home this season.

 “We’ll be fine,” Chris Pope, senior linebacker, said. “Our preparation will stay the same. Staying focusing is the biggest thing. Keep preparing and staying hungry. It’s just a loss and we got six more games.”

  Gerald Ford, who leads the GSC in receptions and receiving yards, hurt his knee last game and is questionable to play this Saturday.

 Junior linebacker Jeremy Grable will be out for the game with a sternum injury.

 Saturday’s Pink Out game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. kickoff at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium

 “We got to keep it constant that’s what we plan on doing these last six games. We’re not content with all this losing stuff and its about to change real soon,” Pope said.