Carrollton, GA - For the second straight week, the West Georgia Wolves walked away from an opponent's home field following a narrow loss, with No. 12 UWG losing 38-27 to No. 25 Valdosta State at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium in Valdosta, Ga.
The Wolves have now lost two straight games for the first time under head coach Will Hall, falling to then No. 18 North Alabama last weekend by one point in Florence, Ala. before this week's loss to the Blazers. In both games, the Wolves had a chance to lead or tie the game within the final six minutes of the contest, only to come up short. This week, West Georgia had the ball trailing 35-27 before an interception was returned deep into UWG territory, setting up a VSU field goal that put the game out of reach.
The game started out as a track meet, as Valdosta State took an early 7-0 lead in the first quarter on a seven-yard touchdown pass from Roland Rivers to Damien Strange that capped a 10-play, 50-yard drive. But West Georgia struck quickly, as junior quarterback
Will Gardner and junior receiver Qa Walker hooked up for back-to-back 34-yard passes before
Travis Custis finished things off with a four-yard touchdown run that completed a five-play, 75-yard march. The extra point was no good and VSU led 7-6 with just over six minutes left in the first quarter.
After forcing a punt, it was Franks' turn to find paydirt, as the senior running back scampered 13 yards with 14:22 left in the second quarter after busting loose for a 55-yard romp on the final play of the first quarter. The 13-yard touchdown run was the first of two scores on the night for the Mississippi native, who rushed 15 times for 147 yards in the contest.
But that was all the scoring that West Georgia would put up in the first half, as Valdosta State scored 14 unanswered points over the final 15 minutes of the opening half to take a 20-13 lead into the locker room at the break.
The Wolves returned the favor out of the locker room, as West Georgia was nearly unstoppable in the first five minutes of the third quarter.
Alex Armah struck first on a 41-yard touchdown reception from Gardner with just over two minutes gone in the quarter. Then, after a quick three-and-out from the defense, punt returner K.J. Parmer put the Wolves in the red zone with a 35-yard punt return to the VSU19. A penalty pushed UWG back five yards, but Franks needed just one play, going 24 yards for the score to put the Wolves back on top by a 27-20 score with 10:47 left in the third quarter.
But that was all the scoring for UWG on the day, as Valdosta State scored 18 unanswered points to finish off the game with a 38-27 victory.
Walker had his fifth-career 100-yard receiving game, hauling in six receptions for 107 yards. For the game, VSU outgained the Wolves 546-383, including 381 yards through the air. West Georgia falls to 4-2 on the year and 1-2 in Gulf South Conference play while the Blazers move to 4-1 on the year and 2-1 against GSC competition.
The Wolves will return home for the first time since September 17 next Saturday, taking on the West Alabama Tigers in Gulf South Conference action. The Wolf Walk is scheduled for 12:30 p.m., with kickoff set for 2:00 p.m.
