2007 Valdosta State Blazers football
NCAA Division II champion
ConferenceGulf South Conference
Ranking
AFCANo. 1
Record13–1 (7–1 GSC)
Head coach
Offensive schemeSpread option
Defensive coordinatorJoe Cauthen (1st season)
Base defense4–3
Home stadiumBazemore–Hyder Stadium
2007 Gulf South Conference football standings
ConfOverall
Team W L  W L 
No. 10 Delta State $^  8 –0   10 –2  
No. 1 Valdosta State ^  7 –1   13 –1  
No. 6 North Alabama ^  7 –1   10 –2  
Henderson State  6 –2   7 –3  
Harding  5 –3   6 –4  
Arkansas Tech  3 –5   5 –5  
Arkansas–Monticello  3 –5   4 –7  
Ouachita Baptist  2 –6   4 –6  
Southern Arkansas  2 –6   3 –7  
West Georgia  1 –7   2 –9  
West Alabama  0 –8   1 –9  
  • $ – Conference champion
  • ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant
Rankings from AFCA poll

The 2007 Valdosta State Blazers football team was an American football team that represented Valdosta State University as a member of the Gulf South Conference (GSC) during the 2007 NCAA Division II football season. In their first year under head coach David Dean, the team compiled a 13–1 record (7–1 against conference opponents) and finished second in the GSC. The team advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs and defeated Northwest Missouri State, 25–20, in the championship game.[1][2]

The Blazers played their home games at Bazemore–Hyder Stadium in Valdosta, Georgia.

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteResultAttendance
September 17:00 p.m.No. 21 Albany State*No. 6
W 41–37,694
September 85:00 p.m.at Fort Valley State*No. 5
W 69–05,617
September 224:00 p.m.at Arkansas Tech*No. 4
W 28–275,851
September 294:00 p.m.Ouachita BaptistNo. 5
  • Bazemore–Hyder Stadium
  • Valdosta, GA
W 31–35,882
October 62:00 p.m.at Southern ArkansasNo. 5
W 33–214,112
October 118:00 p.m.No. 8 Delta StateNo. 5
  • Bazemore–Hyder Stadium
  • Valdosta, GA
L 31–357,279
October 208:00 p.m.at West AlabamaNo. 13
W 37–04,812
October 271:00 p.m.No. 2 North AlabamaNo. 11
  • Bazemore–Hyder Stadium
  • Valdosta, GA
W 27–244,127
November 37:00 p.m.at Arkansas–MonticelloNo. 8
W 63–281,001
November 88:00 p.m.West GeorgiaNo. 8
  • Bazemore–Hyder Stadium
  • Valdosta, GA (rivalry)
W 35–103,842
November 241:00 p.m.No. 12 CatawbaNo. 8
W 55–293,228
December 11:00 p.m.No. 10 North AlabamaNo. 8
  • Bazemore–Hyder Stadium
  • Valdosta, GA (NCAA Division II Quarterfinal)
W 37–234,591
December 811:00 a.m.at No. 6 California (PA)No. 8
W 28–243,100
December 1512:00 p.m.vs. No. 5 Northwest Missouri StateNo. 8
W 25–207,532

[1]

Personnel

2007 Valdosta State Blazers football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos.#NameClass
WR 1 Jeffrey Felton Sr
QB 3 Doug Pilcher Fr
QB 4 Russ Callaway Fr
WR 8 Cedric Jones So
QB 9 Ronnye Nelson Fr
QB 12 Tucker Pruitt Jr
QB 13 Willie Copeland Sr
WR 14 Josh Rayam So
QB 15 Clay Callaway Sr
RB 20 Gabe Mould So
RB 21 Thomas Arnold So
RB 22 Rashawn Robinson Jr
RB 23 P. J. Katz Fr
RB 25 Donnie Powel Jr
RB 27 Michael Terry Sr
WR 28 Travis Taylor Sr
RB 34 Scott Palmer Sr
FB 38 Andrew Dunn So
 Defense
Pos.#NameClass
S 2 Maurice Leggett Sr
LB 5 Marcel Horne Sr
ROV 6 Eric Willimas Jr
DB 10 Sherard Reynolds Jr
CB 19 Shawn Harris Sr
DB 24 Carlos Anderson Sr
DB 29 Kevin Bray Sr
DB 30 Chance Darley Sr
ROV 31 Everett Kitchens Jr
DB 32 Larry Dean Fr
LB 33 Fabian Whylly Jr
DB 35 Josh Brown Fr
FS 36 Greg Petty Sr
LB 39 Jamaal Clark So
 Special teams
Pos.#NameClass
K 16 Chad Gallahan Jr
K 41 Zachary Williams Jr
P 86 Steven Wright Fr
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
  • Joe Cauthen
    Defensive coordinator
  • David Elsenrath
    Assistant head coach/Offensive line
  • Earl Chambers
    Defensive line
  • James Colzie
    Secondary
  • Buster Faulkner
    Quarterbacks
  • Sean Calhoun
    Running backs
  • Tony Haynes
    Wide receivers
  • Brian Simmons
    Safeties
  • Barrett Wilkes
    Running backs
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injured Injured
  • Redshirt Redshirt

Game summaries

No. 21 Albany State

No. 21 Albany State Golden Rams at No. 6 Valdosta State Blazers  – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
No. 21 Golden Rams 0 3 003
No. 6 Blazers 10 17 7741

at Bazemore–Hyder Stadium, Valdosta, Georgia

  • Date: September 1
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Cloudy and humid, 85 °F (29 °C)
  • Game attendance: 7,694
  • Referee: Phillip Kelly
  • Box score
Game information
First quarter
  • VSU – Zac Williams 23-yard field goal, 12:07. Blazers 3–0. Drive: 10 plays, 54 yards, 2:53.
  • VSU – Jeffrey Felton 3-yard pass from Willie Copeland (Zac Williams kick), 5:32. Blazers 10–0. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 3:08.

Second quarter

  • ALBN – Tory Torstenson 21-yard field goal, 12:19. Blazers 10–3. Drive: 15 plays, 63 yards, 8:13.
  • VSU – Zac Williams 26-yard field goal, 6:23. Blazers 13–3. Drive: 9 plays, 38 yards, 3:01.
  • VSU – Ronnye Nelson 6-yard run (Zac Williams kick), 2:35. Blazers 20–3. Drive: 8 plays, 67 yards, 2:53.
  • VSU – Scott Palmer 17-yard pass from Willie Copeland (Zac Williams kick), 0:25. Blazers 27–3. Drive: 7 plays, 37 yards, 1:36.

Third quarter

  • VSU – Shawn Harris 25-yard blocked punt return (Zac Williams kick), 13:18. Blazers 34–3.

Fourth quarter

  • VSU – Thomas Arnold 18-yard run (Zac Williams kick), 10:33. Blazers 41–3. Drive: 10 plays, 78 yards, 3:28.
StatisticsALBNVSU
First downs1226
Total yards265436
Rushing yards134208
Passing yards131228
Turnovers21
Time of possession32:2027:40
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Albany StatePassingKisan Flakes6/14, 106 yards, 2 INT
RushingLiRonnie Davis13 rushes, 54 yards
ReceivingNick Kyles2 receptions, 68 yards
Valdosta StatePassingWillie Copeland18/29, 220 yards, 2 TD
RushingMichael Terry9 rushes, 74 yards
ReceivingCedric Jones5 receptions, 49 yards

At Fort Valley State

No. 5 Valdosta State Blazers at Fort Valley State Wildcats  – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
No. 5 Blazers 12 21 221469
Wildcats 0 0 000

at Wildcat Stadium, Fort Valley, Georgia

  • Date: September 8
  • Game time: 5:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Hot and muggy, 89 °F (32 °C)
  • Game attendance: 5,617
  • Referee: Art Williams
  • Box score
Game information
First quarter
  • VSU – Zac Williams 35-yard field goal, 10:35. Blazers 3–0. Drive: 7 plays, 37 yards, 2:49.
  • VSU – Willie Copeland 8-yard run (Zac Williams kick), 8:27. Blazers 10–0. Drive: 5 plays, 42 yards, 1:03.
  • VSU – Michael Cullen safety, 1:57. Blazers 12–0.

Second quarter

  • VSU – Cedric Jones 54-yard pass from Willie Copeland (Zac Williams kick), 11:08. Blazers 19–0. Drive: 2 plays, 60 yards, 0:41.
  • VSU – Cedric Jones 27-yard pass from Willie Copeland (Zac Williams kick), 5:10. Blazers 26–0. Drive: 11 plays, 71 yards, 4:59.
  • VSU – Melvin Black 0-yard fumble return (Zac Williams kick), 0:10. Blazers 33–0.

Third quarter

  • VSU – Donnie Powell 4-yard pass from Willie Copeland (Zac Williams kick), 11:47. Blazers 40–0. Drive: 7 plays, 78 yards, 3:04.
  • VSU – Maurice Leggett 55-yard interception return (kick failed), 5:37. Blazers 46–0.
  • VSU – Josh Brown safety, 5:25. Blazers 48–0.
  • VSU – Michael Terry 4-yard run (Zac Williams kick), 0:31. Blazers 55–0. Drive: 9 plays, 60 yards, 4:50.

Fourth quarter

  • VSU – Tucker Pruitt 5-yard run (Zac Williams kick), 9:15. Blazers 62–0. Drive: 7 plays, 33 yards, 4:39.
  • VSU – Ronnye Nelson 10-yard run (Zac Williams kick), 1:38. Blazers 69–0. Drive: 7 plays, 71 yards, 4:14.
StatisticsVSUFVSU
First downs249
Total yards460167
Rushing yards13921
Passing yards321146
Turnovers14
Time of possession32:2627:34
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Valdosta StatePassingWillie Copeland20/30, 249 yards, 3 TD, INT
RushingMichael Terry6 rushes, 43 yards, TD
ReceivingCedric Jones8 receptions, 132 yards, 2 TD
Fort Valley StatePassingZedrick West12/22, 116 yards, 2 INT
RushingGarrett Williams3 rushes, 17 yards
ReceivingMelvin Atueyi6 receptions, 86 yards

At Arkansas Tech

No. 4 Valdosta State Blazers at Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys  – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
No. 4 Blazers 0 0 141428
Wonder Boys 14 0 13027

at Buerkle Field, Russellville, Arkansas

  • Date: September 22
  • Game time: 3:00 p.m. EDT/2:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Clear, 86 °F (30 °C)
  • Game attendance: 5,851
  • Referee: Stan Sence
  • Box score
Game information
First quarter
  • ATU – Cole Barthal 1-yard run (Travis Cockerham kick), 12:08. Wonder Boys 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 71 yards, 2:52.
  • ATU – Chris Gunter 19-yard pass from Cole Barthel (Travis Cockerham kick), 9:00. Wonder Boys 14–0. Drive: 8 plays, 52 yards, 2:01.

Second quarter

  • No scoring plays

Third quarter

  • VSU – Willie Copeland 9-yard run (Zac Williams kick), 13:54. Wonder Boys 14–7. Drive: 4 plays, 60 yards, 1:06.
  • VSU – Willie Copeland 1-yard run (Zac Williams kick), 7:59. Tied 14–14. Drive: 9 plays, 68 yards, 3:39.
  • ATU – R. J. Vanhook 35-yard run (kick blocked), 6:24. Wonder Boys 20–14. Drive: 5 plays, 76 yards, 1:29.
  • ATU – Cole Barthel 2-yard run (Travis Cockerham kick), 2:36. Wonder Boys 27–14. Drive: 9 plays, 61 yards, 2:46.

Fourth quarter

  • VSU – Michael Terry 16-yard run (Zac Williams kick), 11:11. Wonder Boys 27–21. Drive: 4 plays, 34 yards, 1:01.
  • VSU – Ronnye Nelson 4-yard run (Zac Williams kick), 4:44. Blazers 28–27. Drive: 10 plays, 78 yards, 4:41.
StatisticsVSUATU
First downs2918
Total yards501367
Rushing yards249132
Passing yards252235
Turnovers22
Time of possession36:4023:20
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Valdosta StatePassingWillie Copeland30/44, 252 yards, INT
RushingMichael Terry17 rushes, 137 yards, TD
ReceivingCedric Jones14 receptions, 135 yards
Arkansas TechPassingCole Barthel24/41, 235 yards, TD, INT
RushingCole Barthel11 rushes, 40 yards, 2 TD
ReceivingTracey Stiger8 receptions, 89 yards

Ouachita Baptist

Ouachita Baptist at No. 5 Valdosta State Blazers  – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Tigers 3 0 003
No. 5 Blazers 3 7 14731

at Bazemore–Hyder Stadium, Valdosta, Georgia

  • Date: September 29
  • Game time: 4:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Sunny, 86 °F (30 °C)
  • Game attendance: 5,882
  • Referee: Phillip Kelly
  • Box score
Game information
First quarter
  • OBU – Zach Wright 31-yard field goal, 5:59. Tigers 3–0. Drive: 10 plays, 25 yards, 5:19.
  • VSU – Zac Williams 31-yard field goal, 2:00. Tied 3–3. Drive: 13 plays, 51 yards, 3:59.

Second quarter

  • VSU – Roger King 61-yard punt return (Zac Williams kick), 8:11. Blazers 10–3.

Third quarter

  • VSU – Michael Terry 56-yard run (Zac Williams kick), 14:08. Blazers 17–3. Drive: 2 plays, 65 yards, 0:46.
  • VSU – Cedric Jones 21-yard pass from Willie Copeland (Zac Williams kick), 3:53. Blazers 24–3. Drive: 6 plays, 73 yards, 2:20.

Fourth quarter

  • VSU – Michael Terry 69-yard run (Zac Williams kick), 10:41. Blazers 31–3. Drive: 2 plays, 76 yards, 0:56.
StatisticsOBUVSU
First downs1624
Total yards258519
Rushing yards104301
Passing yards154218
Turnovers12
Time of possession33:1426:46
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Ouachita BaptistPassingLance Parker18/37, 154 yards, INT
RushingWillie Hopson24 rushes, 81 yards
ReceivingJulius Pruitt8 receptions, 73 yards
Valdosta StatePassingWillie Copeland22/37, 218 yards, TD
RushingMichael Terry9 rushes, 181 yards, 2 TD
ReceivingCedric Jones5 receptions, 57 yards, TD

At Southern Arkansas

No. 5 Valdosta State Blazers at Southern Arkansas Muleriders  – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
No. 5 Blazers 10 3 14633
Muleriders 7 0 01421

at Wilkins Stadium, Magnolia, Arkansas

  • Date: October 6
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT/12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Partly cloudy and hot, 84 °F (29 °C)
  • Game attendance: 4,112
  • Referee: Todd Allen
StatisticsVSUSAU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Valdosta StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving
Southern ArkansasPassing
Rushing
Receiving

No. 8 Delta State

No. 8 Delta State Statesmen at No. 5 Valdosta State Blazers  – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
No. 8 Statesmen 0 0 28735
No. 5 Blazers 11 6 14031

at Bazemore–Hyder Stadium, Valdosta, Georgia

  • Date: October 11
  • Game time: 8:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Clear and cool, 67 °F (19 °C)
  • Game attendance: 7,279
  • Referee: Thomas Graham
StatisticsDSUVSU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Delta StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving
Valdosta StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving

At West Alabama

No. 13 Valdosta State Blazers at West Alabama Tigers  – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
No. 13 Blazers 14 10 6737
Tigers 0 0 000

at Tiger Stadium, Livingston, Alabama

  • Date: October 20
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m. EDT/6:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game attendance: 4,812
  • Referee: Stan Sence
StatisticsVSUUWA
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Valdosta StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving
West AlabamaPassing
Rushing
Receiving

No. 2 North Alabama

No. 2 North Alabama Lions at No. 11 Valdosta State Blazers  – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
No. 2 Lions 3 7 14024
No. 11 Blazers 7 6 7727

at Bazemore–Hyder Stadium, Valdosta, Georgia

  • Date: October 27
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Cloudy and cool, 72 °F (22 °C)
  • Game attendance: 4,127
  • Referee: Stan Sence
StatisticsUNAVSU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
North AlabamaPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Valdosta StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving

At Arkansas–Monticello

No. 8 Valdosta State Blazers at Arkansas–Monticello Boll Weevils  – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
No. 8 Blazers 21 14 141463
Boll Weevils 14 0 7728

at Cotton Boll Stadium, Monticello, Arkansas

  • Date: November 3
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m. EDT/5:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Warm and sunny, 71 °F (22 °C)
  • Game attendance: 1,001
  • Referee: Patrick Smith
StatisticsVSUUAM
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Valdosta StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving
Arkansas–MonticelloPassing
Rushing
Receiving

West Georgia

West Georgia Wolves at No. 8 Valdosta State Blazers  – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Wolves 0 10 0010
No. 8 Blazers 7 7 14735

at Bazemore–Hyder Stadium, Valdosta, Georgia

  • Date: November 8
  • Game time: 8:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Clear and cool, 45 °F (7 °C)
  • Game attendance: 3,842
  • Referee: Stan Sence
StatisticsUWGVSU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
West GeorgiaPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Valdosta StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving

No. 12 Catawba (NCAA Division II Second Round)

No. 12 Catawba Indians at No. 8 Valdosta State Blazers (NCAA Division II Second Round)  – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
No. 12 Indians 13 3 01329
No. 8 Blazers 7 6 142855

at Bazemore–Hyder Stadium, Valdosta, Georgia

  • Date: November 24
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Partly cloudy, 60 °F (16 °C)
  • Game attendance: 3,228
  • Referee: Anthony Purcell
StatisticsCATVSU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
CatawbaPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Valdosta StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving

No. 10 North Alabama (NCAA Division II Quarterfinal)

No. 10 North Alabama Lions at No. 8 Valdosta State Blazers (NCAA Division II Quarterfinal)  – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
No. 10 Lions 9 7 7023
No. 8 Blazers 13 3 02137

at Bazemore–Hyder Stadium, Valdosta, Georgia

  • Date: December 1
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Clear and cool, 68 °F (20 °C)
  • Game attendance: 4,591
  • Referee: T. Levingston
StatisticsUNAVSU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
North AlabamaPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Valdosta StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving

At No. 6 California (PA) (NCAA Division II Semifinal)

No. 8 Valdosta State Blazers at No. 6 California (PA) Vulcnas  – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
No. 8 Blazers 0 7 14728
No. 6 Vulcans 0 14 10024

at Adamson Stadium, California, Pennsylvania

  • Date: December 8
  • Game time: 11:00 a.m. EST
  • Game weather: Overcast, 30 °F (−1 °C)
  • Game attendance: 3,100
  • Referee: Greg Waybright
StatisticsVSUCAL
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Valdosta StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving
California (PA)Passing
Rushing
Receiving

vs. No. 5 Northwest Missouri State (NCAA Division II Championship Game)

No. 5 Northwest Missouri State Bearcats vs. No. 8 Valdosta State Blazers (NCAA Division II Championship Game)  – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
No. 5 Bearcats 0 14 0620
No. 8 Blazers 3 0 71525

at Braly Municipal Stadium, Florence, Alabama

  • Date: December 15
  • Game time: 11:00 a.m. EST/10:00 a.m. CST
  • Game weather: Overcast, 60 °F (16 °C)
  • Game attendance: 7,532
  • Referee: Rodrick Hollowy
  • Box score
Game information
First quarter
  • VSU – Zac Williams 35-yard field goal, 12:50. Blazers 3–0. Drive: 8 plays, 50 yards, 2:10.

Second quarter

  • NWMSU – Aldwin Foster-Rettig 31-yard interception return (Tommy Frevert kick), 13:28. Tigers 7–3.
  • NWMSU – Mike Peterson 3-yard pass from Joel Osborn (Tommy Frevert kick), 0:21. Tigers 14–3. Drive: 4 plays, 53 yards, 0:31.

Third quarter

  • VSU – Clay Callaway 7-yard pass from Willie Copeland (Zac Williams kick), 11:46. Tigers 14–10. Drive: 6 plays, 44 yards, 1:54.

Fourth quarter

  • VSU – Zach Parker 14-yard pass from Ronnye Nelson (Zac Williams kick), 13:21. Blazers 17–14. Drive: 8 plays, 64 yards, 2:08.
  • NWMSU – Xavier Omon 2-yard run (kick blocked), 12:33. Tigers 20–17. Drive: 3 plays, 48 yards, 0:48.
  • VSU – Roger King PAT return, 12:33. Tigers 20–19.
  • VSU – Michael Terry 1-yard run (run failed), 0:22. Blazers 25–20. Drive: 8 plays, 37 yards, 3:39.
StatisticsNWMSUVSU
First downs1219
Total yards235305
Rushing yards8734
Passing yards148271
Turnovers21
Time of possession30:3829:22
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Northwest Missouri StatePassingJoel Osborn18/28, 148 yards, TD, 2 INT
RushingXavier Omon27 rushes, 63 yards, TD
ReceivingMike Peterson5 receptions, 57 yards, TD
Valdosta StatePassingWillie Copeland29/44, 257 yards, TD, INT
RushingMichael Terry12 rushes, 36 yards, TD
ReceivingCedric Jones10 rushes, 95 yards

Rankings

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
( ) = First-place votes
Week
PollPre123456789101112Final
AFCA6654455513118881 (28)


References

  1. 1 2 "2007 Valdosta State Stats". Valdosta State University. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Valdosta State Blazers Athletics - CHAMPIONS AGAIN". Archived from the original on May 18, 2014. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
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