The 2024 Valdosta State Blazers football team represented Valdosta State University as a member of the Gulf South Conference (GSC) during the 2024 NCAA Division II football season and played their home games at Bazemore–Hyder Stadium in Valdosta, Georgia. In their third year under head coach Tremaine Jackson, the team compiled a 13–1 record (6–0 in conference games) and won the GSC championship. The Blazers set a school record with 73 points against . They advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs, defeating in the second round, in the quarterfinals, and in the semifinals before losing to Ferris State in the Division II national championship game.
Key players include quarterback Sammy Edwards, running backs Blake Hester and Alfonso Franklin, receiver Rodney Bullard, and safety Larry Elder.
On December 21, head coach Tremaine Jackson was hired as the head coach at Prairie View A&M. Assistant head coach and co-defensive coordinator Trent Earley was named the Blazers' interim head coach.
Schedule
Rankings
Preseason The Gulf South Conference released its preseason prediction poll on July 23, 2024. The Blazers were predicted to finish first in the conference, receiving 5 of the 8 first place votes.
Game summaries Albany State
Statistics ASUVSU First downs 17 22 Total yards 318 462 Rushing yards 101 135 Passing yards 217 327 Turnovers 2 0 Time of possession 29:15 30:45 Team Category Player StatisticsAlbany State Passing Isaiah Knowles 19/31, 217 yards Rushing Tiant Wyche 8 rushes, 79 yards, TD Receiving Javion Jackson 8 receptions, 122 yardsValdosta State Passing Sammy Edwards 18/25, 306 yards, 4 TD Rushing Jaedon Henry 9 rushes, 34 yards Receiving Rodney Bullard 4 receptions, 100 yards, 2 TD
At Newberry
Statistics VSUNEW First downs 25 15 Total yards 337 216 Rushing yards 190 166 Passing yards 147 50 Turnovers 1 0 Time of possession 34:42 25:18 Team Category Player StatisticsValdosta State Passing Sammy Edwards 16/24, 147 yards, TD Rushing Blake Hester 11 rushes, 59 yards, TD Receiving Graeson Malashevich 4 receptions, 41 yardsNewberry Passing Izayah Whiteside 7/11, 50 yards Rushing Izayah Whiteside 12 rushes, 84 yards, TD Receiving Tommy Washington 3 receptions, 23 yards
Fayetteville State
Statistics FSUVSU First downs 14 29 Total yards 216 502 Rushing yards 99 186 Passing yards 117 316 Turnovers 0 0 Time of possession 24:06 35:54 Team Category Player StatisticsFayetteville State Passing Demari Daniels 10/23, 104 yards Rushing Bryce Council 8 rushes, 49 yards Receiving David Baros 3 receptions, 50 yardsValdosta State Passing Sammy Edwards 23/33, 290 yards, TD Rushing Blake Hester 6 rushes, 102 yards, 3 TD Receiving Rodney Bullard 3 receptions, 77 yards
At Erskine
Statistics VSUERS First downs 24 4 Total yards 577 74 Rushing yards 293 5 Passing yards 284 69 Turnovers 0 4 Time of possession 29:04 30:56 Team Category Player StatisticsValdosta State Passing Sammy Edwards 11/15, 257 yards, 5 TD Rushing Alfonso Franklin 10 rushes, 131 yards, 3 TD Receiving Rodney Bullard 3 receptions, 114 yards, 3 TDErskine Passing Breylon Boyd 4/9, 65 yards, 2 INT Rushing Rashad Luckey 11 rushes, 27 yards Receiving Rodshaun Dorsey 2 receptions, 53 yards
At Shorter
Statistics VSUSU First downs 28 9 Total yards 557 195 Rushing yards 146 32 Passing yards 411 163 Turnovers 0 2 Time of possession 28:31 31:29 Team Category Player StatisticsValdosta State Passing Sammy Edwards 19/29, 348 yards, 2 TD Rushing Blake Hester 7 rushes, 62 yards, TD Receiving Tyler Ajiero 4 receptions, 97 yards, 2 TDShorter Passing Harold Cook 12/20, 163 yards, INT Rushing Lanear McCrary Jr. 12 rushes, 32 yards Receiving Cobie Mates 2 receptions, 59 yards
At North Greenville
Statistics VSUNGU First downs 25 19 Total yards 415 320 Rushing yards 169 117 Passing yards 246 203 Turnovers 0 1 Time of possession 32:41 27:19 Team Category Player StatisticsValdosta State Passing Sammy Edwards 22/34, 246 yards, TD Rushing Blake Hester 24 rushes, 111 yards, TD Receiving Rodney Bullard 4 receptions, 50 yardsNorth Greenville Passing Dylan Ramirez 14/27, 203 yards, 2 TD Rushing Jacob Walker 14 rushes, 87 yards, TD Receiving Dre' Williams 5 receptions, 75 yards, TD
Mississippi College
Statistics MCVSU First downs 15 19 Total yards 261 480 Rushing yards 223 191 Passing yards 38 289 Turnovers 2 1 Time of possession 32:50 27:10 Team Category Player StatisticsMississippi College Passing Preston Godfrey 1/3, 38 yards, INT Rushing Marcus Williams 25 rushes, 86 yards Receiving Jacob Stephens 1 reception, 38 yardsValdosta State Passing Sammy Edwards 20/30, 289 yards, 4 TD Rushing Blake Hester 11 rushes, 91 yards Receiving Tyler Ajiero 4 receptions, 57 yards, 2 TD
Chowan
Statistics CHOVSU First downs 18 22 Total yards 292 573 Rushing yards 141 339 Passing yards 151 234 Turnovers 4 1 Time of possession 35:43 24:10 Team Category Player StatisticsChowan Passing Maurice Smith 17/27, 139 yards, INT Rushing Maurice Smith 12 rushes, 79 yards Receiving Gabriel Jackson 2 receptions, 48 yardsValdosta State Passing Sammy Edwards 14/20, 225 yards, 2 TD, INT Rushing Blake Hester 12 rushes, 121 yards, 3 TD Receiving Rodney Bullard 2 receptions, 87 yards, TD
At Delta State
Statistics VSUDSU First downs 17 24 Total yards 356 352 Rushing yards 169 239 Passing yards 187 113 Turnovers 1 3 Time of possession 27:32 32:28 Team Category Player StatisticsValdosta State Passing Sammy Edwards 12/19, 187 yards, TD, INT Rushing Alfonso Franklin 14 rushes, 107 yards, 3 TD Receiving Rodney Bullard 3 receptions, 121 yards, TDDelta State Passing Cole Kirk 13/32, 113 yards, TD Rushing Kelvin Smith 25 rushes, 112 yards Receiving Kelvin Smith 4 receptions, 57 yards
No. 16 West Florida
Statistics UWFVSU First downs 10 20 Total yards 209 358 Rushing yards 80 204 Passing yards 129 154 Turnovers 0 0 Time of possession 25:14 34:46 Team Category Player StatisticsWest Florida Passing Marcus Stokes 11/24, 129 yards Rushing Marcus Stokes 9 rushes, 33 yards, TD Receiving Javon Swinton 3 receptions, 47 yardsValdosta State Passing Sammy Edwards 14/20, 154 yards, 2 TD Rushing Blake Hester 21 rushes, 118 yards, TD Receiving Rodney Bullard 3 receptions, 74 yards, TD
No. 22 Miles (NCAA Division II Second Round)
Statistics MILVSU First downs 19 18 Total yards 307 408 Rushing yards 83 230 Passing yards 224 178 Turnovers 1 0 Time of possession 30:21 29:39 Team Category Player StatisticsMiles Passing Kam Ivory 22/41, 224 yards, 2 TD, INT Rushing Jonero Scott 17 rushes, 54 yards Receiving Jaquel Fells 7 receptions, 92 yardsValdosta State Passing Sammy Edwards 14/28, 178 yards, TD Rushing Blake Hester 20 rushes, 132 yards, 2 TD Receiving Graeson Malashevich 4 receptions, 68 yards
No. 25 Virginia Union (NCAA Division II Quarterfinal)
Statistics VUUVSU First downs 12 21 Total yards 227 560 Rushing yards 139 223 Passing yards 88 337 Turnovers 2 0 Time of possession 29:21 30:39 Team Category Player StatisticsVirginia Union Passing R. J. Rosales 8/16, 88 yards, TD Rushing Jada Byers 22 rushes, 109 yards, TD Receiving Keon Davis 1 reception, 42 yardsValdosta State Passing Sammy Edwards 13/19, 302 yards, 4 TD Rushing Alfonso Franklin 15 rushes, 64 yards, 2 TD Receiving Rodney Bullard 5 receptions, 158 yards, 3 TD
Minnesota State (NCAA Division II Semifinal)
Statistics MSUVSU First downs 18 21 Total yards 325 385 Rushing yards 177 213 Passing yards 148 172 Turnovers 1 0 Time of possession 30:09 29:51 Team Category Player StatisticsMinnesota State Passing Hayden Ekern 14/25, 148 yards, TD, INT Rushing Sam Backer 10 rushes, 109 yards, 2 TD Receiving Grant Guyett 4 receptions, 47 yardsValdosta State Passing Sammy Edwards 14/19, 172 yards, 2 TD Rushing Alfonso Franklin 24 rushes, 152 yards, 3 TD Receiving Alfonso Franklin 4 receptions, 66 yards, 2 TD
Vs. No. 2 Ferris State (NCAA Division II Championship)
Statistics FSUVSU First downs 21 19 Total yards 465 311 Rushing yards 251 121 Passing yards 214 190 Turnovers 0 1 Time of possession 29:15 30:45 Team Category Player StatisticsFerris State Passing Trinidad Chambliss 11/20, 153 yards, 3 TD Rushing Kannon Katzer 14 rushes, 97 yards Receiving Cam Underwood 3 receptions, 86 yards, 2 TDValdosta State Passing Sammy Edwards 25/42, 190 yards, 2 TD Rushing Alfonso Franklin 14 rushes, 102 yards Receiving Tyler Ajiero 5 receptions, 57 yards, TD
References