VALDOSTA, GA - The Lenoir-Rhyne football team travels to Valdosta State this weekend for a marquee matchup between two perennial powerhouses.

This will be the first regular season these teams have played in, with the 2014, 2018, and 2023 versions of this game taking place in the NCAA Division II playoffs. 

Opponent: Valdosta State
Game Time: 4:00 p.m.
Location: Valdosta, Ga. | Bazemore-Hyder Stadium
Game Promotion: Pink Out

Notes:

Matchup History: The Bears and Blazers have faced off three times, all in the NCAA Division II playoffs. Valdosta State leads the series 2-1, having won 23-21 in the 2014 second round and 62-21 in the 2018 regional final. The lone Bears' victory came in the 2023 quarterfinals, where the Bears went into Valdosta and won 35-7 in a rain-soaked game. The Bears dominated that 2023 matchup, out gaining the Blazers 358-145 on offense and holding Valdosta quarterback Sammy Edwards to just 143 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. Zayvion Turner-Knox and Dwayne McGee combined for 247 yards rushing and four touchdowns, while Andre Jefferson tallied four TFL and a sack. 

Opponent Profile: Valdosta State is in the midst of a transitional season, losing 70+ players from their national runner-up team last year. The Blazers are 2-2 on the year and coming off a 31-0 loss to UNC Pembroke in their home opener last weekend. On the ground the Blazers' are led by Corey Reddick Jr., who has 44 carries for 255 yards and four touchdowns. Eric Watts (212 yards, three scores) and Jamontez Woods (111 yards) join him in the 100+ yards club. They have used two quarterbacks this season, with Boyd Harris and Jameson Holcomb combining for 838 yards, three touchdowns, and five interceptions. Senior Jemarrlowe Sykes is the team leader with 4.0 TFL and 1.5 sacks. Defensive back Conner Rance has two of Valdosta State's three interceptions on the year, picking them both up in a 56-3 win over Chowan. The Blazers are coached by Graham Craig, who was elevated to head coach after being their offensive coordinator last season. A former quarterback for the Blazers, he spent time as an assistant at Arizona State, Nevada, West Georgia, and Memphis before landing back in Valdosta. 

Lenoir-Rhyne Profile: The Bears are 2-3 (2-2 SAC) and coming off a 20-17 walk-off loss against Newberry last weekend. They are 1-2 on the road, with their lone victory coming in a 28-7 week two win at Tusculum. Zayvion turner-Knox is the Bears' leader on the ground, totaling 277 yards and a touchdown, including a 103-yard performance last weekend. Khamoni Robinson has started in four of Lenoir-Rhyne's five games this season, averaging 245.75 yards per game with eight touchdowns and two interceptions. In addition to his stats in the air, he has also rushed for 220 yards and two scores. Zion Agnew leads the Bears with 328 yards receiving, while newcomer Destun Thomas broke out last week with a seven catch, 81 yard performance. Expected to return this week from injury is Songa Yates, who hasn't played since the Bears' win over Emory & Henry. He is averaging 100.67 yards per game and has already caught three touchdown passes. Ben Watson and Tre'von Cooper are tops on the Bears' defense with 43 and 34 tackles, respectively. Maddox Aprile has been playing like an All-American, totaling 22 tackles, 6.5 TFL for 31 yards, and 2.5 sacks for 22 yards. Stewart Simmons has the second longest punting average in the SAC at 42.5 yards per punt, with a long of 67 at West Florida in week one.

Rankings: While the Bears don't appear in the top-25 anymore, they showed up in the "receiving votes" section of the poll. Valdosta State, following their shutout loss, dropped out of the top-25 completely. The top-five stayed the same after last week, with Ferris State, Harding, West Florida, Kutztown, and Angelo State holding down those spots. Carson-Newman jumped to No. 22 after defeating Wingate last Saturday, while UNC Pembroke climbed to No. 25 after their win over the Blazers. Wingate, Catawba, and Lenoir-Rhyne all received votes in the poll.