VALDOSTA, Ga.- After driving 82 yards in the game’s final minute, the two-point conversion attempt sailed over the head of a Ouachita Baptist receiver, as Valdosta State held on for a 21-19 Gulf South Conference victory over the Tigers on Saturday at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium in Valdosta, Ga.
Ouachita (3-2, 1-2 GSC) was involved in a pressure-filled ending for a second-straight week, as the Tigers scored 14 unanswered points down the stretch to give themselves an opportunity to send the game into overtime with Valdosta State (4-1, 4-1, 2-1 GSC). Down 21-13, Ouachita Baptist put together a 13-play, 82 yard drive that culminated in a one-yard run up the middle by senior quarterback Eli Cranor. The two-point conversion, however, was no good, as Cranor’s pass sailed over the head of All-GSC junior tight end Phillip Supernaw.
Despite the loss, it was another brilliant performance offensively for Cranor, as the Russellville native completed 27-of-42 passed for 312 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions. Ouachita compiled 444 yards of total offense in the losing effort, as the Blazers entered the matchup allowing an average of 352 yards/game. Cranor almost singlehandedly produced more offense than Valdosta State altogether, as the Blazers passed for just 194 yards, while gaining 138 yards on the ground for a total of 332 yards.
For much of the game, the Blazers held on to the lead, but it was the Tigers who struck first, as sophomore defensive end Alonzo Newton forced a fumble on Valdosta State quarterback Brett Waymire, as senior Tron Ross recovered the football at the Valdosta State 39.
Ouachita would capitalize on a 39 yard field goal attempt from sophomore kicker Jason Fowler, taking a 3-0 lead with 10:27 left in the first quarter.
The Blazers began their ensuing drive at the Valdosta State 42, as Ronnye Nelson returned the kickoff 32 yards. Nelson would also cap off the drive with a seven-yard touchdown run, giving Valdosta State the lead for the rest of the game.
Fowler connected on his second field goal of the first half for Ouachita, as the 38 yard attempt cut the deficit to 7-6 with 3:30 remaining.
After halftime, Valdosta State answered with a touchdown via the Wildcat formation, as Nelson passed to Cameo Holloway for a 15-yard touchdown strike to put the score at 14-6.
Ouachita Baptist responded by driving to the Valdosta State 28, but a fourth-and-3 pass fell incomplete from Cranor to sophomore receiver Jamie Harris. The Tigers couldn’t convert on third and fourth down most of the afternoon, going 5-of-14 on third down situations and 1-of-4 on fourth down opportunities.
The Blazers then went to work with an 11-play, 72 yard drive that ended in a 6-yard David Bailey rushing touchdown, stretching Valdosta State’s lead to 21-6.
Ouachita sophomore Peyton Tolliver broke free for a 33 yard touchdown strike from Cranor, scoring his first touchdown of the season, giving the Tigers a shot at a comeback, as the score moved to 21-13.
The game looked to be out of reach after Valdosta State put together a 9 minute, 28 second drive when Blazers kicker Daniel Anderson attempted a 41 yard field goal, attempting to put the game at a two possession game. It was Ouachita, however, who made a statement, as sophomore defensive end Shaun Hawkins blocked the attempt, as the Tigers recovered at the Ouachita 18.
With 6:06 remaining, Ouachita drove 82 yards for the Cranor one -yard quarterback dive, giving themselves an opportunity at the end of the game. After the failed two-point conversion, the Blazers recovered the onside kick, gaining the game’s final first down on an 11-yard run by Bailey.
Cranor’s primary target through the air was again sophomore receiver Brett Reece, who produced six catches for 94 yards, while senior Nico Hobbs added seven catches for 52 yards. Sophomore running back Daniel McGee led the rushing attack, gaining 63 yards on 12 carries.
Defensively, sophomore Dijon Benton recorded a career-high eight tackles, as junior defensive tackle Taurus Williams and sophomore defensive end Alonzo Newton each added five tackles and a tackle for loss. Newton recorded the only sack for the Tigers, while junior Terrence Garrett, the team leader in tackles, added five tackles.
For Valdosta State, Waymire was sidelined with in an injury in the second half, but completed 12-of-18 passes for 115 yards. Nelson finished with 219 all-purpose yards, including a team-high 54 yards rushing and 46 yards receiving. On defense, national leader in tackles Larry Dean finished with 12 tackles, sharing the lead with teammate Ryan Smith.
Ouachita Baptist will return to the field on Saturday, Oct. 9 against Arkansas Tech in Russellville at 6 p.m.
