The second-ranked VSU Blazers head into the bye week with a perfect record. They are 7-0 on the season and 3-0 in the Gulf South Conference play. The Blazers are first in the GSC standings and will remain there going into the bye week. 

So, what has been the key to the Blazer’s success this season? Well, the offense has been torching the opposing defenses all year. Senior quarterback Sammy Edwards is very much in the running for the Harlon Hill award this year as he is leading the fifth best offense in all of Division II. 

The offense is averaging 43 points per game, while individually Edwards is ranked third nationally among quarterbacks in efficiency while he also ranked in the top 15 in passing yards with 1,888 and in the top 10 in touchdowns with 18 touchdowns and zero interceptions to go along with four rushing touchdowns.  

One of the most significant differences between the offense and last year’s team was the playing of the running–back position, as last year’s squad did not have a feature back that they depended on. 

 However, it had a well-balanced attack the previous year, as they had two running backs paving the way. One is graduate student Blake Hester, who leads the Blazers in rushing at 476 yards and nine touchdowns this year, while senior running back Alfonso Franklin has been just as explosive as Hester, as he has 286 yards on the ground with six touchdowns. 

 This year, a staple of the Blazers have been the efforts of the wide receivers, as many of them have had big games to keep the Blazer’s offense going. Notably, it has been a big season for graduate student Rodney Bullard, who leads the team in receiving 484 yards and six touchdowns.  

Meanwhile, the defense has been stout all year. It has allowed only nine points per game this season. They have also pitched a shutout twice on the season: once in a 34-0 win against the Fayetteville State Broncos and once in a 73-0 game against the Erskine Flying Fleet.  

The undisputed defense leader is graduate student Larry Elder, who has been named GSC player of the week four times this season, more than any other player. Overall, the team scored a total of 302 points and only allowed 64.   

With the Blazers approaching the season’s final stretch, they face the best competition of the season; the question is, what is this team’s ceiling and can they finish the season on top of a crowded GSC?   

On one hand, the GSC has several teams that can make a run in the playoffs. West Alabama, West Florida and Delta State are very much in the race; however, VSU does control its destiny. If they win out, they will secure their first outright Gulf South Conference championship since 2019. 

 They finish the season on Nov.2 against the Chowan Hawks at home, then go on the road against the Delta State Statesman on Nov. 9 and then finish the regular season against the West Florida Argonauts for senior day on Nov.16. As the season reaches the final stretch, the Blazers have an opportunity to achieve perfection.  

If they win their last three regular-season games, it be the first time since the Blazers have gone unbeaten since 2019. In a funny coincidence or not, the previous national championship team was also able to go unbeaten to the championship. Let’s see if history will favor the side of the Blazers.  

Written by Christopher Mercer, Sports editor. Photo by Ibec Francis, Photo editor.