Valdosta State withstood a Newberry comeback bid in the closing minutes of the game to claim a 14-9 victory at Setzler Field Saturday afternoon.
The Blazer victory ended a 15-game home winning streak for Newberry.
After failing to gain any yards on its first two possessions of the game, Valdosta State (2-0) opened the scoring on its third drive as marched 80 yards on eight plays. A pair of big pass plays aided the Blazers on the drive as Chris Hart found Kody Case for a 32-yard pick-up before R.J. Bastone made a diving catch for a 41-yard gain. Facing a third-and-11 from the Newberry 16, Hart hit Albert Dukes in the right corner of the end zone to give the Blazers a 7-0 advantage.
Newberry (0-1) cut its deficit to five points midway through the second quarter as it forced VSU to punt from its own end zone. Blazer punter Jack Fulford was unable to handle the snap on the punt and was tackled in the end zone for a safety to cut the Valdosta State lead to 7-2.
The two team played scoreless for the next two quarters of play before Valdosta State pushed its lead to 14-2 on a Michael Brown touchdown run. The Blazers took over on their own 20 yard line and picked up 19 yards on the ground before Hart hit Dukes for a six-yard pick up. Two more carries gained the Blazers five yards while Ronnye Nelson hauled in a pass for 15 yards. On the next play, Brown took a hand off from Hart and turned the corner to race 35 yards untouched for the score.
Newberry again took advantage of a Blazer punting error to cut its deficit to 14-9 with 1:30 remaining in the contest. Kelton Tindal blocked a Fulford punt, allowing NC to gain possession on the VSU 18. After an incomplete pass and a rush that gained three yards, Eric McCollom found Tindal in the end zone to slice the Blazer lead to five points.
Valdosta State recovered the ensuing on-sides kick and Markus Manson picked up 18 yards on the ground.
The Blazers ended the game with 331 yards of total offense in the contest, including 121 on the ground and 202 through the air. Hart completed 10-of-16 passes for 169 yards while Manson led the rushing attack with 49 yards.
Sherard Reynolds led the Valdosta State defense with nine tackles while Larry Dean tallied seven, including two sacks in the contest.
Newberry tallied 225 yards of total offense, but were held to just 70 yards rushing in the contest. Brandon Gantt completed 15-of-19 passes for 102 yards while Tharry Salley picked up 38 yards on the ground.
Valdosta State takes next weekend off before returning to action Saturday, September 13 against Southern Arkansas in Magnolia, Ark.
Blazers Top Newberry 14-9
