VALDOSTA, Ga. (Valdosta State University) - The Valdosta State football team learned Monday it will open the 2013 where it ended the 2012 season as the Blazers garnered the top spot in the first American Football Coaches Association poll, released earlier in the day.
VSU garnered 26 of the 32 first place votes in the poll and had 766 total points. Minnesota State-Mankato, who Valdosta State defeated in the national semifinals last season, was second in the preseason poll with three first place votes and 726 points while West Texas A&M, who had one first place vote, was third at 707 points. Northwest Missouri State also garnered a first place vote and 616 points for fourth place in the poll while Winston-Salem State, the 2012 national runner-up, was fifth with 599 points.
The 2013 season marks the third time in the history of the poll that the Blazers will open the season at No. 1 and is the 21st time overall that VSU has been tabbed the top team in the country. The 21 weeks in the top spot are second-most among all NCAA Division II teams since the poll began prior to the 2000 season.
One Valdosta State opponent for the upcoming season was also in the poll as Gulf South Conference foe West Alabama was slated at No. 16 with 297 points. Additionally, North Alabama (39 points), Delta State (26), Fort Valley State (4), UNC-Pembroke (2) and Texas A&M-Kingsville (2) received votes in the poll.
Valdosta State kicks off its 2013 season Saturday, September 7 when it faces Fort Valley State at 2:00 p.m. in Macon, Ga. at Henderson Field.
