On September 14, 2024, Fayetteville State fell 34-0 to nationally ranked #5 Valdosta State at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium in Valdosta, Georgia in front of 4,001 attendees under cloudy skies with a temperature of 78°F.
"It was a tough night against a really good Valdosta State team," said Broncos Head Coach Richard Hayes. "It's a lesson for us. We are going to regroup. We aspire to be that team one day, a nationally ranked team. The quarterback is really good. We're going home to regroup, correct our mistakes, and not let this one loss beat us twice."
The Blazers improved to 3-0 on the season while the Broncos dropped to 1-1. Bryce Council led all Broncos rushers with 49 yards, averaging 6.1 yards per carry, while Demari Daniels added 27 yards on the ground and threw for 104 yards from 10-of-23 passing attempts. David Baros pulled in three catches for 50 yards. On defense, Shi Gaskin collected three tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, one sack, and one forced fumble, while Solomon Barnes had seven tackles. Jamari Slade led the game with nine tackles (two solo and seven assisted) and an assisted tacked for a loss of two yards.
Valdosta State opened the scoring in the first quarter with a 2-yard run by Blake Hester, followed by an Austin McKay kick, capping a 7-play, 85-yard drive. In the second quarter, Graeson Malashevich caught an 8-yard pass from Sammy Edwards, with McKay adding the extra point after a 14-play, 70-yard drive. Hester added another 1-yard run, and McKay's kick concluded a 5-play, 70-yard drive. McKay then kicked a 31-yard field goal after an 8-play, 41-yard drive. In the third quarter, Hester broke free for a 73-yard run, with McKay's kick following a single-play drive. Finally, in the fourth quarter, Ethan Eddins kicked a 25-yard field goal after a 14-play, 56-yard drive, sealing Valdosta State's 34-0 victory over Fayetteville State.
Despite the loss, Fayetteville State's defense limited Valdosta State to 186 rushing yards. Valdosta State outgained Fayetteville State 502-216, with Blake Hester leading the Blazers' rushing attack with 102 yards and three touchdowns. Sammy Edwards completed 23 of 33 passes for 290 yards and one touchdown for Valdosta State.
Fayetteville State will travel to Rocky Mount, NC for the 27th Annual Down East Viking Football Classic against Elizabeth City State University.
