VSU football faces challenging schedule in 2009 - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

By Robert Hydrick - bio | email

VALDOSTA, GA (WALB) - Six home games highlight the 2009 Valdosta State football schedule, according to an announcement made by Blazer head coach David Dean Thursday.

The Blazers open the season with a pair of home games, including the 2009 kick-off against Newberry on August 29.

"We are excited to once again have Newberry on our schedule," said Dean in making the announcement. "They are a great team that is well coached. We played an exciting game up at their place last season and I would expect fans to see the same type of contest this year."

VSU's off week falls on September 5 before the Blazers open Gulf South Conference play against Southern Arkansas the following weekend. Valdosta State's remaining home Saturday schedule includes West Alabama September 26, Henderson State visiting for VSU's Homecoming on October 10 and Edward Water on November 7.

The Blazers will host one Thursday night game as North Alabama pays a visit to Bazemore-Hyder Stadium on October 22. The game will be the NCAA Division II/CBS College Sports Game of the Week and will be shown live nationwide by CBS College Sports.

"North Alabama is always a big game and the national broadcast just makes it that much bigger," Dean continued. "The game will allow football fans nationwide to see just how good Division II football really is and we are excited to be a part of the telecast."

Valdosta State's road games begin September 19 when the Blazers visit Ouachita Baptist while VSU will travel to Cleveland, Miss. to face Delta State in the GSC TV Game of the Week on Thursday, October 1. Valdosta State also plays on the road at Harding October 17 and at West Georgia October 31, although the game may be moved to Thursday, October 29 as the GSC TV Game of the Week.

"Our road schedule is very tough," Dean concluded. "Delta State is always one of the top programs in the nation, much less the GSC. We will also get our first look at West Georgia's new stadium and I am sure, with the rivalry between the two schools, it will be a very good game."

Valdosta State returns 42 letterwinners, including 13 starters, off of a team that went 9-3 and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs in 2008.

                    2009 VALDOSTA STATE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Day        Date               Opponent                    Location          Time
Sat.        Aug. 29          NEWBERRY              Valdosta, Ga.    7:00 p.m.
Sat.        Sept. 5           Open
Sat.        Sept. 12       *S.Arkansas (PW)      Valdosta, Ga. 7:00 p.m.
Sat.        Sept. 19       *at Ouachita Baptist  Arkadelphia, Ark. 8:00 p.m.
Sat.        Sept. 26      *WEST ALABAMA        Valdosta, Ga.   7:00 p.m.
Thur.      Oct. 1          *at Delta State (GSCTV) Cleveland, Ms. TBA
Sat.        Oct. 10        *HENDERSON ST. (HC) Valdosta, Ga.  3:00 p.m.
Sat.        Oct. 17        *at Harding                 Searcy, Ark.    7:00 p.m.
Thurs.     Oct. 22        *N.ALABAMA(CBSSports) Valdosta, Ga.  8:00 p.m.
Sat.         Oct. 31       *at West Georgia      Carrollton, Ga. 7:00 p.m.
Sat.         Nov. 7          EDWARD WATERS      Valdosta, Ga.  2:00 p.m.
Sat.         Nov. 14        NCAA First Round           Campus Site   TBA
Sat.         Nov. 21        NCAA Second Round      Campus Site    TBA
Sat.         Nov. 28        NCAA Quarterfinals        Campus Site    TBA
Sat.         Dec. 5          NCAA Semifinals             Campus Site     TBA
Sat.         Dec. 12         NCAA Championship      Florence, Ala.    TBA