Valdosta State football falls to Albany State in first round of DII playoffs

ALBANY, Ga. (WCTV) - After an improbable run to a Gulf South Conference Championship and a DII Playoff berth, Valdosta State football ran out of gas in the postseason’s opening round. The Blazers faltered late to surrender a fourth quarter lead to rival Albany State, 35-30.

The two teams traded scores for much of the first half, with VSU taking a 23-21 lead into the halftime locker room. V State would take the opening kickoff of the second half for a 95 yard score on the legs of Xyre Wilson to go up 30-21.

Albany State’s offense began to falter, and even a fumble in play territory resulted in nothing for the Golden Rams as Valdosta State’s special teams would block a field goal to make it a one score game. The Blazers would march inside the ASU 10 on the ensuing drive but quarterback Jameson Holcomb would fumble the ball. The home team would recover and find new life.

Rams’ QB Isaiah Knowles would put ASU within two after a 21 yard rushing TD and eventually give his squad the lead in the fourth quarter, finding Jamill Williams for a 22 yard touchdown, his second of the day.

VSU’s offense was unable to answer and the Rams running game began to wear down the Blazer defense, using a steady dose of ground and pound to run off the remaining 7:26 on the game clock and snag the program’s third victory all-time over its rivals from Titletown.

Valdosta State finishes its first season under Graham Craig with a 6-5 record.

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