Albany State University Athletics

Reginald Christian

Phillip Moore (24), a Valdosta, Georgia native, will lead Albany State against Valdosta State on Saturday.

Football 9/5/2014 6:07:00 PM

Game Day Central- Albany State at Valdosta State

Albany State and Valdosta State will renew in-state rivalry

The Albany State Golden Rams will face in-state rival Valdosta State to open the 2014 season. The game will be played in Valdosta, Georgia at VSU's Bazemore-Hyder Stadium. This will be the 16^th meeting between the two Division II powerhouse programs. The Blazers lead the overall series 14-1. The VSU won the last meeting 30-27 during the 2011 season.

Albany State finished the 2013 season with a record of 6-4 and defeated Miles College 17-14 to claim the SIAC championship. ASU returns six starters on offense and five on defense. The Golden Rams will be led by senior quarterback Frank Rivers, who was voted the SIAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year after earning All-SIAC honors last year. Rivers threw for 2,004 yards and 19 touchdowns last season. Senior wide receiver Jessie Atkins (51 receptions, 661 yards and eight touchdowns) and senior offensive lineman Victor Moli also return to the ASU offense. Running backs Phillip Moore (5-5, 180, SR) and Adrian Alexander (5-9, 185, SR) will once again be in the backfield for Albany State. Senior linebacker Larry Whitfield (81 tackles, four pass break-ups) and sophomore defensive lineman Grover Stewart (36 tackles and five sacks) will lead the Albany State defense.

Valdosta State returns 12 starters and 51 letterwinners off of their 2013 team that went 6-4. The Blazer offense will be led by two-time All-Gulf South Conference running back Cedric O'Neal, who has rushed for 2,173 yards. He is joined in the backfield by fellow junior Austin Scott, who is eighth in school history with 1,703 rushing yards. Meanwhile, VSU returns its entire offensive line from a year ago as well as quarterback Kaleb Nobles, who passed for 967 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. VSU's greatest losses from last year come on defense as it returns just two of its top 11 tacklers. Senior linebacker Justin Williams, who had 79 tackles and two forced fumbles last year, leads the returners on the Black Swarm while senior safety Isaiah Gresham also returns after recording 32 tackles in 2013.

Albany State Games Notes

Follow the Albany State-Valdosta State football game at one of the following links:

Radio
WMRZ KISS 98.1 FM

Talk 92.1

Webcast
Valdosta State Webcast

Social Media
Facebook: ASU Ram Nation Twitter: @ASUGoldenRams

Live Stats

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Players Mentioned

#1 Adrian Alexander: RB; 5' 9"; Senior

#4 Jessie Atkins: WR; 5' 10"; Senior

#6 Frank Rivers: QB; 6' 6"; Senior

#22 Larry Whitfield: LB; 6' 0"; Senior

#24 Phillip Moore: RB; 5' 5"; Senior

#66 Victor Moli: OL; 6' 4"; Senior

#99 Grover Stewart: DL; 6' 5"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#1 Adrian Alexander
: 5' 9"; Senior
: RB

#4 Jessie Atkins
: 5' 10"; Senior
: WR

#6 Frank Rivers
: 6' 6"; Senior
: QB

#22 Larry Whitfield
: 6' 0"; Senior
: LB

#24 Phillip Moore
: 5' 5"; Senior
: RB

#66 Victor Moli
: 6' 4"; Senior
: OL

#99 Grover Stewart
: 6' 5"; Sophomore
: DL