VSU To Represent GSC in NCAA DII Football Semi-Finals

12/3/2012 12:59:48 PM

NCAA Playoff Bracket

Birmingham, AL—For the 10^th time in 11 seasons, the Gulf South Conference advanced a squad to the NCAA Division II Football Playoff Semi-Finals.
                Super Region Two No. 1 seed Valdosta State (10-2) moved on to its first final four since 2007, topping No. 2 seed Carson-Newman at home in the Region Title game, 48-26. VSU rebounded from a 23-14 third quarter deficit, outscoring the Eagles 34-3 beginning at 10:23 in the third frame. VSU advanced to its fourth overall NCAA Semi-Final dating back to 2002. The GSC has now placed a team in the Semi-Finals 29 times since 1975 and seeks to advance a team in the Title game for the second time in three seasons and the 17^th overall time.
                Next up for Valdosta State is a trip to Super Region Three Champion and No. 1 seed Minnesota State-Mankota (13-0) for Saturday’s 2:00 pm (Central) kick off which will be shown live on ESPN3. The VSU/MSUM winner will move to the Championship Game versus the victor of the West Texas A&M at Winston-Salem State contest. The NCAA Title Game will be held at Braly Municipal Stadium in Florence, AL and will be televised on ESPN2 at 12:00 p.m.

@ #1 SEED VALDOSTA STATE 48, #2 SEED CARSON-NEWMAN 26 (REGIONAL TWO TITLE GAME)
                No. 2 seed Valdosta State (10-2) rallied from a nine-point deficit in the third quarter to claim the South Regional Two Title and a berth in the NCAA Playoff Semi-Finals via a 48-26 home triumph over No. 2 seed Carson-Newman (9-3).
                C-N grabbed a 3-0 lead on the game’s opening possession, but VSU responded with 14 unanswered points in the first quarter. Quarterback Cayden Cochran sneaked-in a one-yard touchdown at 5:05, while running back Cedric O’Neal sprinted for a 46-yard score at 3:27. The Eagles dominated the rest of the first half, reeling off 17 unanswered points en route to a 20-14 halftime lead.
                Carson-Newman stretched its advantage to 23-14 at 12:19 in the third quarter, only to see Valdosta State outscore the visitors, 34-3 the rest of the way. Wide receiver Seantavious Jones pulled VSU within two points, thanks to a 37-yard scoring strike at 10:23. C-N’s final score of the contest came on a 22-yard field goal at 8:09, but Chris Anderson gave the Blazers’ a 28-26 advantage via a 20-yard TD catch four minutes later.
                Valdosta State stretched its lead in the fourth quarter, while the defense held the Eagles scoreless. O’Neal pounded in a three-yard touchdown at 11:50 and then capped the game’s scoring by running for a 16-yarder at 6:29.
                O’Neal led all rushers with 194 yards on 15 carries, while Anderson caught a game-high six balls for 43 yards. Cochran completed 23-of-31 passes for 246 yards and three touchdowns. The victory also gave Valdosta State a 4-3 lead in the all-time series versus Carson-Newman. Box score

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