Carrollton, GA - The UWG football program, winners of five straight to open the season under new head coach Will Hall, suffered its first defeat under the new head coach Saturday afternoon at Bazemore-Hyder Field in Valdosta, Ga., falling 40-6 to the Valdosta State Blazers.

After a 34-yard return on the opening kickoff from Denarius Appling, West Georgia was rolling, as the Wolves took the opening kickoff, driving deep into VSU territory before the 12-play, 61-yard march stalled out at the Blazers five yard line. Hunter Heck split the uprights with a 22-yard field goal and the Wolves had a 3-0 lead in the contest.

VSU responded with a drive as well, quickly moving down the field before their drive stalled out at the UWG 31, and Anthony Pistelli stuck his kick from 48-yards out through to tie the game a 3-3. The Wolves came right back down, but a personal foul penalty at midfield negated a pass that would have put UWG at the VSU 36, but instead had the Wolves looking at a 1st-and-25 from their own 37. The West Georgia drive would stall out three plays later, giving the ball back to the Blazers.

Over the remainder of the first half, West Georgia struggled to gain yards against the Blazer defense, while Valdosta scored 13 more points, including one on a 68-yard touchdown. The two teams headed into the halftime break with VSU leading 16-3.

The second half saw the Blazers put 10 points on the board in the third quarter and 14 more in the fourth quarter as the UWG offense struggled to find yards. Heck's 37-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter was the only score that UWG put on the board in the second half to provide the end result.

Seth Hinsley led the Wolves with 76 yards rushing on the day, but the Wolves were outgained in total offense by a 535-261 margin. VSU racked up 351 yards on the ground to West Georgia's 155, the lowest output for the UWG rushing offense in the 2014 season.

West Georgia returns home next Saturday to the confines of University Stadium, as the Wolves take on 11th-ranked Delta State in Gulf South Conference action. UWG Athletics will have a special presentation during the game to honor those who are in public service, including local firefighters, police officers and sheriff deputies in the first Public Servant's Day at University Stadium. Kickoff for the game is set for 2 p.m.