By Lloydrica Hudson, Sports Editor

VSU will look to return to the win column when it hosts Erskine at 12 p.m. Saturday at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium.

The Blazers enter the matchup after a 44-41 loss to UNC Pembroke on Sept. 19, their first loss of the season. 

VSU is ranked No. 16 in the D2Football poll, No. 18 in the AFCA poll and No. 24 in the FloCollege poll.

Despite the loss, the Blazers received a strong performance from Shawn Paschall against UNC Pembroke. Paschall rushed for a career-high 155 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries. He also returned six kickoffs for 141 yards, including a 52-yard return.

The performance earned Paschall Gulf South Conference Offensive Player of the Week honors.

Quarterback Champ Harris completed 11 of 22 passes for 182 yards and two touchdowns. Joel Houedenou led VSU’s receivers with four catches for 84 yards and a touchdown.

The Blazers are averaging 442.3 yards of offense per game, including 263.8 rushing yards. Their running game could be a key factor against an Erskine defense allowing 162 rushing yards per game.

VSU also will look for its defense to respond after allowing 44 points in its last outing. Through four games, the Blazers have allowed an average of 18.25 points and 301.5 yards.

Julius Pascal led the defense against UNC Pembroke with eight tackles, half a sack, a pass breakup and an interception returned 84 yards for a touchdown. He earned GSC Defensive Player of the Week honors.

Jabari McMillan added seven tackles and a sack, earning GSC Freshman of the Week honors for the second consecutive week. Ashton Heflin also finished with seven tackles, while Rickey Ransom recorded five tackles and forced a fumble.

Erskine enters Saturday with a 2-2 record after a 31-24 loss to Shorter in its conference opener. The Flying Fleet have lost two straight games but are 2-0 on the road.

Erskine relies heavily on its passing game, averaging 228.5 passing yards and 34.25 points per game. Sophomore quarterback Ryan Killmer has thrown for 855 yards, nine touchdowns and two interceptions while completing 45.3% of his passes.

Receiver Jo Burson is one of Killmer’s top targets, leading the team with 16 catches for 330 yards and five touchdowns. Siah Mack has added 13 catches for 183 yards and a touchdown.

Containing those receivers will be an important task for VSU’s defense, which has recorded five interceptions and recovered four fumbles this season.

Defensively, Erskine is led by Gary Maddox III, who has 36 tackles, including 6.5 tackles for loss. He also has forced three fumbles and recovered one. Weston Bergman follows with 27 tackles.

VSU won the teams’ only previous meeting, defeating Erskine 73-0 in 2024. The Blazers will aim for another win Saturday as they work to regain momentum.

Saturday’s game will also serve as VSU’s Pink Out, with fans encouraged to wear pink.