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2007 National Championship Team
VALDOSTA STATE 25, NORTHWEST MISSOURI STATE 20 BRALY STADIUM, FLORENCE, ALA. DECEMBER 15, 2007
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FLORENCE, Ala. - The “Cardiac Kids” pulled off their fourth straight second half come-from-behind victory as Valdosta State defeated Northwest Missouri State 25-20 in Braly Stadium for the school’s second NCAA Division II National Championship.
The Blazers scored the winning touchdown with just 22 seconds remaining in the contest when Michael Terry plunged in from one yard out to cap off an eight-play, 37-yard drive. VSU took over in Bearcat territory after an NWMS punt traveled just 26 yards before being downed. Valdosta State quarterback Willie Copeland promptly completed three straight passes for 19 yards and, after a fiveyard gain on the ground by Rashawn Robinson, connected with Scott Palmer for an eight-yard pick-up to the Northwest Missouri State five yard line. Terry took over from there, picking up four yards to establish a first-and-goal situation before being stopped for no gain on the next play. The Bearcats again appeared to stop Terry on second-and-goal, but the junior bounced out of the middle of the pile and slanted left to cross the goal line.
The Bearcats used a pair of second quarter touchdowns, the first on an interception return and the second coming just 21 seconds before the half, to build a 14-3 advantage heading into the intermission.
Clay Callaway caught a seven-yard pass from Copeland in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 14-10 while Zach Parker and Ronnye Nelson hooked up for a 14-yard scoring strike in the fourth to briefly give VSU the lead.
However, NWMS responded by returning the ensuing kick-off 34 yards and scored three plays later on a Xavier Omon two-yard dive to regain the advantage. The extra point attempt was blocked and scooped up by Valdosta State’s Roger King, who returned the ball 86 yards for a two-point defensive point-after-attempt.
The Blazers sealed the victory on the first play from scrimmage following the Terry touchdown as Bearcat quarterback Joel Osborn was hit as he released a pass. The fluttering ball was intercepted by Blazer William Montford, allowing Copeland to take a knee to end the contest.
The VSU defense held Northwest Missouri State to just 235 total yards in the contest, including just 87 on the ground. Omon, who was averaging 236 yards a game in his three previous play-off contests, was limited to just 63 yards, on 27 carries, in the game.
Meanwhile, Valdosta State tallied 305 yards in the contest, including 271 through the air. Blazer star wideout Cedric Jones caught 10 passes for 95 yards while Calloway finished the contest with five receptions and 61 yards.
Individual Statistical Leaders
Rushing: VSU - Terry 12-36/1td; Nelson 4-12; R. Robinson 2-9. NWMS - Omon 27-63/1td; Wright 2-15; Osborn 2-9. Passing: VSU - Copeland 29-44-1, 257yds/1td. NWMS - Osborn 18-28-2, 148yds/1td. Receiving: VSU - Jones 10-95; Nelson 6-40; Callaway 5-61/1td. NWMS - Peterson 5-57/1td; Omon 4-6; Wright 3-21. Defense: VSU - Cullen 9tckls/1tfl/1pd; Montford 7tckls/1tfl/1int; Daniels 7tckls/1pd. NWMS - Robertson 15tckls/1sack/1tfl; Erspamer 12 tckls.
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Final Northwest Missouri State 0 14 0 6 20 Valdosta State 3 0 7 15 25
NWMS
Team Stats First Downs Rushing Attempts Net Rushing Yards Comp. - Att. Passing Yards Total Plays - Yards Sacks By - Yards Interceptions - Yards Fumbles - Lost Penalties - Yards Punts - Average Yards Third Down Conversions Time of Possession
VSU
The Road to Florence
Second Round - Valdosta State 55, Catawba 29
After receiving a first round bye, Valdosta State scored 35 unanswered points in the second half to defeat Catawba 55-29 in the second round of the NCAA playoffs ... The Blazer trailed 16-13 at the half, but scored less than four minutes into the second half to take the lead ... Michael Terry led the second half charge with two touchdowns and 108 of his 139 rushing yards.
VSU used a pair of fourth quarter punt returns for touchdowns to come from behind in defeating North Alabama 37-23 ... Sherard Reynolds evened the game at 23-23 less than four minutes into the final quarter as he fielded a punt and returned it 65 yards for a touchdown ... The Blazer defense held the Lions on their next drive, setting up another punt, which Roger King returned a VSU school record 80 yards for a 30-23 advantage ... VSU scored its third touchdown in less than three minutes after recovering a fumble on the UNA three yard line ... Ronnye Nelson returned a kickoff 91 yards for a touchdown on its first possession and VSU set a NCAA Division II playoff record with 183 yards on punt returns.
Valdosta State trailed by as much as 14 points in the second half before grabbing the lead with just over three minutes remaining to defeat California (Pa.) 28-24 ... The Vulcans scored 21 straight points in the second and third quarters to take a 21-7 lead, only to have VSU tie the game with a pair of touchdowns ... A field goal regained the lead for California, but Zach Parker made a diving, one-handed grab on a Willie Copeland pass in the end zone to put VSU back in front with 3:13 remaining ... His catch was named the Play of the Day on ESPN’s SportsCenter later that night ... Cal marched the length of the field only to have Maurice Leggett intercept a pass in the end zone with 57 seconds to go to seal the win.
2007 National Championship Bracket
