American college football season
The 2018 Valdosta State Blazers football team represented Valdosta State University as a member of the Gulf South Conference (GSC) during the 2018 NCAA Division II football season . They were led by third-year head coach Kerwin Bell , who also served as offensive coordinator . The Blazers played their home games at Bazemore–Hyder Stadium in Valdosta, Georgia . Valdosta State compiled an overall record of 14–0 with a conference mark of 8–0, winning the GSC title. They beat Ferris State in the NCAA Division II Championship Game to win the program's fourth national title.
Preseason
Gulf South Conference coaches poll
On August 2, 2018, the Gulf South Conference released their preseason coaches poll with the Blazers predicted to finish in fifth place in the conference.[1]
Predicted finish
Team
Votes (1st place)
1
West Alabama
62 (6)
2
West Florida
59 (3)
3
West Georgia
44
4
Delta State
41
5
Valdosta State
38
6
Florida Tech
32
7
North Greenville
24
8
Mississippi College
16
9
Shorter
8
Preseason All-Gulf South Conference Team
The Blazers had five players at five positions selected to the preseason all-Gulf South Conference team.[2]
Offense
Kenny Benjamin – AP
Jeremy King – OG
Defense
Raymond Palmer – DB
Special teams
Jairus Jones – BT
Stewart Spence – UTL
Schedule
Valdosta State's 2018 regular season football schedule consisted of five home games, four away games, and one neutral site game. The Blazers hosted GSC foes Delta State , North Greenville , Shorter , and West Georgia , and traveled to Florida Tech , Mississippi College , West Alabama , and West Florida .[3] Three games were broadcast on ESPN3 , as part of the Gulf South Conference Game of the Week.[4]
The Blazers hosted non-conference foe Albany State from the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) and competed in the Okefenokee Classic against Fort Valley State , also from the (SIAC).
After an undefeated regular season, the Blazers were the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Division II playoffs .
Date Time Opponent Rank Site TV Result Attendance September 1 7:00 p.m. Albany State * W 45–146,770
September 8 7:00 p.m. vs. Fort Valley State * ESPN3 W 55–63,107
September 15 7:00 p.m. at No. 8 West Alabama W 58–243,285
September 22 7:00 p.m. Shorter No. 16 Bazemore–Hyder Stadium Valdosta, GA W 52–05,130
September 29 8:00 p.m. at Mississippi College No. 13 W 63–422,654
October 6 1:00 p.m. Delta State No. 10 Bazemore–Hyder Stadium Valdosta, GA W 59–282,036
October 13 1:00 p.m. at Florida Tech No. 8 W 51–213,679
October 20 3:00 p.m. North Greenville No. 7 Bazemore–Hyder Stadium Valdosta, GA W 44–215,514
November 3 5:00 p.m. at West Florida No. 7 ESPN3 W 48–215,893
November 10 7:00 p.m. No. 3 West Georgia No. 5 Bazemore–Hyder Stadium Valdosta, GA (rivalry ) ESPN3 W 47–3110,558
November 24 1:00 pm No. 25 Bowie State No. 3 W 66–162,467
December 1 1:00 pm No. 17 Lenoir–Rhyne No. 3 Bazemore–Hyder Stadium Valdosta, GA (NCAA Division II Quarterfinal) W 61–211,999
December 8 12:00 pm No. 11 Notre Dame (OH) No. 3 Bazemore–Hyder Stadium Valdosta, GA (NCAA Division II Semifinal) ESPN3 W 30–244,672
December 15 4:00 p.m. vs. No. 2 Ferris State No. 3 ESPNU W 49–474,306
*Non-conference game HomecomingRankings from AFCA Poll released prior to the game All times are in Eastern time
[5]