VALDOSTA, Ga. - The Valdosta State offense showed marked improvement while the defense continued to shine as the Blazer football team held its second scrimmage of the 2013 preseason Saturday morning.
After being shut out on each of its length of the field drives in last Saturday's first scrimmage, the Blazer offense came out determined to not repeat the feat this week. However, the Black Swarm defense controlled the first two drives of the practice as it recorded a tackle for loss, pass broken up and a sack on the first series before forcing a second three-and-out on the second series.
The offense ended the drought on the third series as on a third-and-one play, Cayden Cochran threw a deep pass to Wille Downs, who hauled in the pass one-handed and out-raced the defense for a 51-yard touchdown reception.
The offense picked up three first downs enroute to a six-yard touchdown run by Nick Davis on the next series, but that ended the scoring for the remainder of the segment of the scrimmage. While the offense tallied the two scores in the length of the field drives, the defense also shown as it tallied six sacks, three tackles for loss and three passes broken up, including the last that stymied an offensive scoring chance from the defense's one-yard line.
The Blazers transitioned to red zone attempts for the next portion of the scrimmage and the offense scored on the very first drive when D'Amonte Ridley made a diving catch on a Cochran pass, but the defense once again stiffened to hold the offense out of the end zone for each of the next three drives, as well on a pair of two-minute drills.
Two more red zone drives saw the offense score when Cochran hooked up with Seantavious Jones for a score before the team finished the scrimmage by once again going the length of the field. After the first two drives of the series stalled, Cochran threw his fourth touchdown of the scrimmage when he found Regginald Lewis on a go-route for a 57-yard strike while the offense also found the end zone behind the legs of Greg Archibong on the next drive
On the day, Cochran completed 13-of-29 passes for 187 yards and four scores while Archibong carried the ball 16 times for 80 yards. Davis was impressive in his second straight scrimmage as he rushed for 78 yards on 13 carries.
While the offense moved the ball and put points on the board for the scrimmage, the defense was just as impressive as it finished the scrimmage with nine sacks, four tackles for loss and nine passes broken up to go along with a Dominique Wheeler interception in the end zone that prevented a score.
Valdosta State will hold its final scrimmage of the preseason this Thursday beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the VSU Practice Field. The Blazers will also hold their annual Meet the Blazers event next Saturday at 9:00 a.m. at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium.
