The Valdosta State Blazers dominated the Erskine College Flying Fleet 73-0 in a historic road blowout.  

The Blazers made history in many ways in this game, with the first being the 73 points, the most scored in school history. Also, they shut out their opponent for their last two games for the first time in school history and moved to 4-0 for the fourth time in the previous five seasons. The Blazers accounted for 293 yards rushing and 283 yards passing in the win. 

Senior quarterback Sammy Edwards played the best game of the season thus far, completing 11-16 passes for 257 yards and five touchdowns; three of those touchdowns went to senior wide receiver Rodney Bullard. 

Bullard,, who had three catches for 113 yards and three touchdowns and the other two went to graduate student Graeson Malashevich who had four catches for 67 yards to along with the two touchdowns.  

Last week, junior running back Blake Hester was the story of the Blazers’ run game; however, this week, senior running back Alfonso Franklin had the hot hand on the ground, as he had ten carries for 131 yards and three touchdowns.  

The Blazers’ defense made things hectic for the Flying Fleet’s offense. They dominated freshman quarterback Breylon Boyd, who was making his first-ever collegiate start. Boyd completed 4 of 9 passes for 66 yards with zero touchdowns and two interceptions before the backup Redshirt sophomore Taz Walker.  

The Blazers also had six sacks on the game defense. Three of those sacks went to graduate student Caden Campolieti, who had eight tackles to lead the game for the Blazers. The Blazers forced four turnovers in the game, two fumbles, and two interceptions, two of which were made by redshirt junior linebacker Dav’Juan Dezeme.  

The Blazers secured a 4-0 start on the season and 1-0 in Gulf South Conference play. They come home next for their first big season test against GSC opponent, the West Alabama Tigers. Meanwhile, the Flying Fleet will drop 1-3 overall and 0-1 in conference play and will be back home against the Delta State Statesman next week.  

Written by Christopher Mercer, Sports editor. Photo by The Spectator.