Box Score
VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Valdosta State defense came up with several key stops inside their own 20 yard line, and the 10th-ranked Blazers used three passing touchdowns to defeat Harding 21-13 Saturday in Gulf South Conference action Saturday at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium.
Valdosta State's defense, ranked ninth nationally in scoring at 13.7 points per game, had an interception in the end zone, forced two field goals and stonewalled the Bisons on the goal line in Harding's first four trips inside the 20.
With 2:08 left in the game, Harding (2-6, 1-4) finally broke through as quarterback David Knighton threw a nine-yard touchdown pass to Kurt Adams for the Bisons' first touchdown of the game, cutting the Valdosta State lead to 21-13.
Blazer tight end Chris Fultcher recovered the ensuing on-side kick, and Valdosta State ran out the clock.
Harding's defense had easily its best game of the season, limiting the high-powered Valdosta State offense to only 264 yards. The Bisons limited the Blazers to only 122 yards and six first downs in the second half. Harding's previous best defensive effort of the season was 444 yards allowed last week to Ouachita Baptist.
Valdosta State (6-1, 4-1) scored first on a 19-yard touchdown pass from Chris Hart to Albert Dukes with 6:21 left in the first quarter.
The Blazers made it 14-0 with 14:20 remaining in the first half as senior quarterback Tucker Pruitt found Michigan State transfer T.J. Williams on a 13-yard scoring pass.
Harding's lone points of the first half came on a 37-yard Ryan Ferrell field goal with eight seconds remaining.
Ferrell's school-record tying 15th field goal of the season came with 7:52 left in the third quarter and trimmed Valdosta State's advantage to 14-6.
The Blazers eventual game-winning touchdown came on a six-yard pass from Pruitt to Evan Gilles with 3:55 left in the third.
