Valdosta, GA – The 17th-ranked Valdosta State University Blazers overcame significant early challenges, including multiple special teams turnovers, to defeat the Shorter Hawks 41-31 on Homecoming Saturday afternoon. Playing in front of 3,263 fans, VSU’s “Black Swarm” defense proved pivotal, intercepting Shorter quarterback Devin Edmonds five times to seal their fifth win of the season, improving their record to 5-1.
Sophomore running back Shawn Paschall led the Blazers' ground attack with 111 rushing yards and three touchdowns, while quarterback Champ Harris contributed 165 passing yards and 90 rushing yards, including two touchdowns of his own. Despite their eventual success, Valdosta State faced a challenging second quarter that saw the Hawks take a commanding lead.
The Blazers started strong, with Paschall and Harris scoring first-quarter rushing touchdowns to establish an early 14-0 advantage. However, Shorter quickly turned the game around. A field goal by Shorter’s Edgar Bermudez cut the lead to 14-3 with 1:30 left in the first quarter. On the ensuing kickoff, Paschall muffed the ball, which Shorter’s David Hill recovered at the VSU 25. Shorter immediately capitalized with a 25-yard touchdown pass from Devin Edmonds to Skyler Niblett, making the score 14-10 just nine seconds later.
The Blazers' special teams woes continued when Solomon Locke opted to let another Bermudez kickoff bounce deep in VSU territory. He was hit by Shorter’s Nahzir Turner, forcing a fumble in the end zone that Jatavious Gray recovered for a touchdown, giving Shorter a 17-14 lead with 1:18 remaining in the first quarter.
Valdosta State’s next drive stalled, leading to a turnover on downs early in the second quarter after Harris was sacked by Bray Williamson and Mikey Matos. After both teams exchanged ineffective drives, the Blazers appeared to gain momentum when Thomas Johnson intercepted Edmonds on third-and-6 from the Shorter 33. However, VSU’s drive also faltered. Running back Matt Wilson lost the ball on second-and-goal from the 2-yard line, and Shorter’s Haneef Muwwakkil scooped it up, returning it 63 yards to the VSU 35. Shorter then extended their lead to 24-14 with a 23-yard touchdown pass from Edmonds to Kyree Jenkins with 2:56 left in the half.
VSU head coach Graham Craig acknowledged the challenging sequence of events, stating, “I hadn’t been a part of anything like that right there on special teams with two back-to-back plays.” He added that the defense needed to handle "sudden change better" and expressed pride in the team's ability to "play a better second half."
Facing a 10-point deficit on Homecoming, the Blazers responded with a quick five-play, 80-yard drive, capped by a 9-yard touchdown run from Paschall, narrowing the score to 24-21 with 1:34 left before halftime.
The defensive spark for Valdosta State ignited in the second half. On Shorter’s first possession, sophomore defensive back Curtis Janvier intercepted Edmonds and returned it 30 yards to the Shorter 7. Paschall immediately scored his third rushing touchdown from 7 yards out, putting the Blazers back in front 28-24. The Black Swarm continued its dominance as Rico Watkins thwarted Shorter’s next drive with a 37-yard interception return off Edmonds. Although the Blazers got into scoring range, a 29-yard field goal attempt by Adrian Gonzalez was blocked.
VSU then orchestrated a methodical 10-play, 97-yard drive that consumed nearly five minutes, culminating in a 13-yard rushing touchdown by Matt Wilson, extending the Blazers’ lead to 34-24 with 14:51 left in the game. Edmonds’ fourth interception of the day went to Julius Pascal, who returned it 40 yards. Although the potential pick-six was negated by a personal foul, it set VSU up at the Shorter 40. Champ Harris capitalized on the field position with a 40-yard touchdown run, pushing the Blazers’ lead to 41-24 with 12:25 remaining.
Julius Pascal commented on the team's defensive resolve during the game, stating he told his defense to "just buckle down."
The Hawks (2-6) managed an eight-play, 75-yard scoring drive, capped by a 27-yard touchdown pass from Edmonds to Jenkins, cutting the deficit to 41-31 with 8:41 to play. However, on Shorter’s final attempt to make a comeback, Edmonds was intercepted for the fifth time, with Janvier securing his second pick of the game, allowing VSU to run out the clock and preserve the victory.
Defensively, the Blazers held the Hawks to 258 total yards and limited their rushing attack to just 57 yards on 30 carries. In addition to the five interceptions, the Black Swarm recorded two sacks and seven tackles for loss. Junior linebacker Jayden Bethea led the defense with nine total tackles, including two for loss, while Pascal added six tackles. Champ Harris praised the defense, stating that their five interceptions were crucial and "without that, the game could have been much different."
Coach Craig highlighted the significance of the interceptions, noting, "It was huge to be able to get us some momentum."
Valdosta State finished the game with 458 total yards, 28 first downs, and averaged 6.8 yards per play.
