UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Saturday, Sept. 28 (Week 4) Time (CT)
Mississippi College at Chowan* 12 pm
20/21 West Florida at 2/2 Grand Valley State 2 pm
24/24 Delta State at Erskine* 3 pm
North Greenville vs. Shorter 6 pm
17/18 West Alabama at 3/3 Valdosta State* 6 pm
CONFERENCE NOTES
WEEKEND STORYLINES
◆ Week 4 of the 2024 season will feature five games, with three conference dates. ◆ Chowan will open its conference schedule at home on Saturday with Mississippi College coming to town. The Choctaws won last season’s meeting, 38-21, in Clinton. ◆ No. 20 West Florida heads to The Mitten State to take on No. 2 Grand Valley State in top-25 clash. This will be the first-ever meeting. UWF will the third GSC team to play GVSU since 2002. The Lakers are 4-0 against the GSC, having last played Delta State on Sept. 14, 2019. ◆ Delta State will visit Erskine for its conference opener. Since 2015, DSU is 4-4 in conference openers. This will be the first-ever meeting. ◆ North Greenville will host Shorter. The Trailblazers lead the series, 5-2 and won last season’s meeting 27-17. ◆ No. 3 Valdosta State welcomes No. 17 West Alabama in clash of top-20 unbeaten teams. Since 2010, has won 9 of 14 meetings, including a 20-14 decision last season. The Tigers last win in Valdosta was a 34-31 result during the 2022 season.
GSC IN NON-CONFERENCE PLAY
◆ Through Week 3 of the 2024 season, the GSC is 11-9 in non-conference games. ◆ The GSC is 107-61 record in the regular season non-conference games, since 2016. It has tallied 15 or more wins four times (19 in 2021, 16 in 2022, 15 in 2018 and 2016). ◆ Since 2015, the GSC is 105-36 (.743) against Super Region 2 teams in all match-ups. ◆ Week 4 features two non-conference games, including one against a Super Region 2 opponent.
BLAZING OFFENSE
◆ Valdosta State is sixth in Division II in offensive scoring per game (44.0) and second in total points scored (176). The Blazers lead D2 in points scored in a single-game this season following a 73-0 win over Erskine (Sept. 21).
RUNNING WILD
◆ Six GSC players have rushed for 100 yards or more in a game this season with Chowan RB Maurice Smith leading the league with a 136-yard performance against Barton (9/14). Delta State’s Cole Kirk is third with 115 yards and the only QB on the list. ◆ Kirk also leads the conference with the longest single carry–89 yards versus Missouri S&T (9/7).
SEE THE BALL, CATCH THE BALL
◆ There has been six 100-yard receiving games in the conference this season. ◆ Valdosta State’s Rodney Bullard is the only player listed twice with a 100-yard game versus Albany State (8/31) and conference-best 114-yard effort at Erskine (9/21).
WELCOME ERSKINE
◆ The 2024 season will see Erskine College play as a football-only affiliate member for the GSC. The Flying Fleet are led by head coach Shap Boyd.
WEEKLY AWARDS
Offensive Player of the Week:
Alfonso Franklin, Sr., RB, Valdosta State
Franklin rushed for three touchdowns and 131 yards on 10 carries helping Valdosta State to a 73-0 win over Erskine to open the conference-opener. The senior longest touchdown run of the day went was for 38 yards and set the new school-record for points in a game.
Defensive Player of the Week
Lamar Gray, Gr., DB, West Alabama
Gray had a standout performance for West Alabama, helping the No. 23 Tigers down No. 12 West Florida, 35-33, in double overtime on the road. The graduate finished with four tackles, including three solo stops and two for loss. He also recorded an interception in the third and fourth quarter, with his pick in the third leading to UWA touchdown.
Special Team Player of the Week
Elijah Guyton, Gr., K, West Alabama
Guyton accounted for nine points as No. 23 West Alabama defeated No. 12 West Florida, 35-33, in double overtime in Pensacola. The sophomore was 3-for-3 in point after touchdown kicks and 2-for-2 in field goals with conversations of 21 and 29 yards. This was Guyton’s second weekly award of the season after previously being recognized on Sept. 2.
Freshman of the Week
Tyshon Mansell, Fr., WR, North Greenville
Mansell was sure-handed in North Greenville’s 29-7 win over Mississippi College on Saturday in the conference-opener. The rookie tallied two catches for 100 yards. His longest catch of the day went for 71 yards resulting in his first career touchdown.
