MCKINNEY, TX – Rogan Wells tied a Division II title game record with five touchdown passes but it was his touchdown reception which sealed the schools fourth overall Division II national title with a 49-47 win over Ferris State Saturday night.
Ahead 42-38 early in the fourth quarter, Wells lined up under a center and hit backup quarterback Ivory Durham in the flats along the right side, Durham then pulled up a threw a missile back to the left side to a wide open Wells for a 25 yard scoring strike allowing Valdosta State to temporarily separate itself from Ferris State for a 49-38 lead with 11:36 left in the game.
Is there anything Rogan Wells can't do?! Not only can he throw, he can catch too.#D2FB pic.twitter.com/9qMx4UCV08
— NCAA Division II (@NCAADII) December 16, 2018
The throw back toss was needed after Ferris State had cut the lead back to four late in the third quarter thanks to a unbelievable play and a little bit of luck as a Valdosta State player tipped the ball back into play and right into the hands of a Ferris State player in the end zone.
THIS JUST HAPPENED. OH MY…KEYONDRE CRAIG. 😱#D2FB / #SCTop10 pic.twitter.com/2Rpuw8AKdA
— NCAA Division II (@NCAADII) December 15, 2018
However, it wasn’t over though as Ferris State rallied cutting the lead to 49-41 with 5:31 left in the game and then took advantage of overturned pass interference call that would have given the Blazers a first down and likely wrapped up the game; and then stopped the Blazers on a fourth and one play to get the ball back again.
With 40 seconds left, Ferris State cut the lead to 49-47, however the two point conversion attempt sailed out of bounds and off the hands of the Bulldogs receiver keeping the Blazers ahead two points with under a minute left.
Valdosta State forces an incompletion on a potential game-tying two-point conversion. 40 seconds left!
📖: https://t.co/KWWkVAbdxX
📺: ESPNU
💻: https://t.co/Sal24n8szs#D2FB pic.twitter.com/nc3S5llHzd— NCAA Division II (@NCAADII) December 16, 2018
The game would come down to the onside kick and the low dribbler bounced off a Blazers knee and into the hands of former Fleming Island linebacker Jackson Bull allowing the Blazers to run out the clock and win their fourth overall national title (2004, 2007, 2012, 2018).
Former @FIHSFOOTBALL player Jackson Bull recovers the onside kick for Valdosta State. Blazers are 3 kneel downs from fourth national championship.
— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) December 16, 2018
Of the 55 players on the roster, 18 are from the First Coast area including three from Raines including Durham, Diop Kee and Raynell Killian. See the list below for all 18 local players on the team.
None saw more action and significant playing time than Durham, who despite being the backup quarterback saw plenty of playing time throughout the season finishing 22 of 39 for 388 yards and 8 TD, 41 carries for 445 yards and 7 touchdowns rushing along with 2 punt returns for 27 yards.
Former Baker County lineman Mondrell Jefferson racked up 6 tackles in the win tonight, while Darius Smalls finished with 2 tackles and Raynell Killian, Tyrell Lyons and Bull each had 1 tackle.
Game 13: No. 3 Valdosta State 30, No. 11 Notre Dame (Ohio) 24 (Semifinals)
Recap: The defense came ready to play recording a 100 yard interception return and a safety led by Tyrell Lyons 8 tackles in the win to advance to the national title game. Wells had a rare off night throwing 11 of 14 for 134 yards and only one touchdown pass as the offense focused on the running game with two rushing touchdowns, while Durham was 0 for 2 in the game as well.
Game 12: No. 3 Valdosta State 61, No. 17 Lenoir-Rhyne 21 (Quarterfinals)
Recap: Valdosta State racked up over 600 yards of offense thanks to Wells (19 of 27 for 209, 2 TD), Quahlin Patterson (96 yard and one touchdown on 9 carries) and Durham (5 carries for 74 yards). Tyrell Lyons and Darius Smalls each racked up three tackles, while Jackson Bull chipped in with two tackles and Raynell Killian and Montrell Jefferson each had 1 tackle.
Game 11: No. 3 Valdosta State 66, No. 22 Bowie State 16 (Second Round)
Recap: Rogan Wells (12 of 20 for 164 yards, 2 TD) and Durham (6 of 6 for 97 yards/2 TD, 6 carries for 38 yards/1 TD) led the Blazers offense which racked up nearly 600 yards in the opening round playoff game to advance to the quarterfinals. Durham returned a punt 25 yards to set up a score, Patterson accumulated 5 carries for 30 yards and David White hauled in a touchdown on a fourth and eight play. Lyons and Smalls both finished with 3 tackles in the game, while Bull finished with two tackles.
Game 10: No. 7 Valdosta State 47, No. 3 West Georgia 31
Recap: The Battle for the Peach Basket and the Gulf South Conference title were up for grabs in this one, thanks to Wells (11 of 24 for 164/1 TD) and Durham (1 of 1 for 25 yards/1 TD, 4 carries for 78 yards and one touchdown) the Blazers rolled to the title. Wells hit Durham on a half back toss and Durham connected with Kenny Benjamin for a 25 yard touchdown completion to give the Blazers a 20-7 lead in the second quarter. With one second left in the first half, Durham scrambled 53 yards weaving through the West Georgia defense for a unbelievable 53 yard touchdown run to give the Blazers a 34-21 lead at the half. Raynell Killian led the Blazers with 7 tackles, Lyons racked up four tackles and Jefferson, Bull and Patterson all had 1 tackle each.
.@mr__Hollywood_ why put up the hailmary when you're untouchable? Play of the Week?
📹: @PeteyPowers
VOTE https://t.co/D7IOvIGRnT @BlazerAthletics @valdostastatefb pic.twitter.com/kOIYnHFGIf
— HERO Sports D2FB (@HEROSportsD2FB) November 12, 2018
One of the craziest plays you'll ever see: Ivory Durham scrambles for 53 yards before halftime for a HUGE score for the eventual champs. Wow. 🏈🏆#GSCFB #SCtop10 pic.twitter.com/YZ1swkNY3t
— Gulf South Conference (@GulfSouth) November 11, 2018
Game 9: No. 7 Valdosta State 48, West Florida 21
Recap: Valdosta State rallied from a 21-17 third quarter deficit thanks to Wells (14 of 23 for 166 yards/1 TD, 109 yards on 11 carries and 2 TD), along with key contributions from Patterson (6 carries for 30 yards, 1 catch for 22 yards), Durham (2 carries for 23 yards, 1 TD) and David White (1 catch for 13 yards). Lyons and Jefferson each had 3 tackles, while Killian (2 tackles), Denzell Heck, Bull and Smalls finished with 1 tackle.
Game 8: No. 7 Valdosta State 44, North Greenvile 21
Recap: Mondrell Jefferson interception set up the Blazers third score of the game and 16-0 lead, while Durham scrambled 59 yards to set up his own 2 yard score and 37-14 lead and then hit David White ( 2 catches for 73 yards) for a 60 yard touchdown strike to ice it. Durham finished 2 of 7 for 66 yards and one touchdown, while rushing for a team high 72 yards and one touchdown on 7 carries to lead the Blazers to the win. Jefferson accounted for 6 tackles and an interception to tie for the lead in tackles in the game, while Killian (3 tackles), Lyons (2 tackles), Bull (1 tackle) and Smalls (1 tackle) chipped in also.
Game 7: No. 9 Valdosta State 51, Florida Tech 21
Recap: Behind Wells (15 of 31 for 214/2 TD, 12 carries for 129 yards/1 TD) big day, young guys like Durham (2 carries for 25 yards/1 TD), Quahlin Patterson (5 carries for 13 yards) and David White (2 catches for 14 yards) got some quality time. Lyons (4 tackles), Jefferson (2 tackles), Bull (2 tackles) and Smalls (1 tackle) helped on the defense.
Game 6: No. 10 Valdosta State 59, Delta State 28
Recap: Locked in a 28-28 halftime tie, the Blazers shut out the Devils and outscored them 31-0 in the second half to remain undefeated on the season. Wells accounted for six total touchdowns after throwing for four and running for two to lead the Blazers. Quahlin Patterson accounted for 63 yards on 4 carries, while Durham was 2 of 3 for 35 yards and 1 touchdown along with 1 carry for 15 yards and White had one catch for 7 yards. Lyons racked up five tackles, Killian had 3 tackles, Jefferson had 2 tackles and Bull and Smalls each had a tackle.
Game 5: No. 13 Valdosta State 63, Mississippi College 42
Recap: Darrius Smalls stripped the ball away from the Mississippi quarterback to break a 14-14 tie and allow Valdosta State to separate itself and run away with it. While Wells was on fire finishing 13 of 21 for 295 yards and 6 touchdowns, Durham was 0 for 1, Patterson had 2 carries for 19 yards and White had one catch for 32 yards. Killian had 4 tackles, Jefferson had 3 tackles and White and Smalls each had 1 tackle.
Game 4: No. 16 Valdosta State 52, Shorter 0
Recap: Ahead only 10-0 at the half, the Blazers shut out Shorter 42-0 in the second half thanks in part to Durham, who was 6 of 9 for 113 yards and two touchdowns in the rout over Shorter to go along with 3 carries for 43 yards. Durham threw a 44 and 52 yard scoring tosses late in the fourth quarter to give the Blazers a huge lead they would never relinquish. Smalls had 3 tackles, Bull 2 tackles, Killian 1 tackle and Lyons 1 tackle also.
Game 3: Unranked Valdosta State 58, No 8 West Alabama 24
Recap: Wells (24 of 37 for 341 yards, 5 TD) to spark the unranked Blazers to a huge upset win over West Alabama, while Patterson chipped in with 3 carries for 12 yards and Durham 2 carries for 4 yards. A key target for Wells was White, who hauled in three catches for 67 yards and two touchdowns in the upset win. Defensively, Jefferson (4 tackles) forced a fumble which set up a field goal, Killian and Lyons each had two tackles, while Bull recorded one tackle.
Game 2: Valdosta State 55, Fort Valley State 6
Recap: Wells had another huge day accounting for 20 of 36 for 227 yard and four touchdowns in addition to 11 carries and 104 yards to lead the Blazers to the Okefenokee Classic win in Waycross over Fort Valley State. Durham was 1 of 2 for 16 yards and 2 carries for 44 yards and a score, while Patterson contributed 6 carries for 30 yards, Isaiah Johnson had 2 carries for 19 yards including a 14 yard touchdown run and David White had two receptions for 34 yards. Up 41-6, Durham rambled 40 yards on a scramble setting up a 9 yard scoring run to give the Blazers a 48-6 lead. Jefferson and Bull each accumulated 3 tackles, while Jameel Padgett and Smalls each had 2 tackles.
Game 1: Valdosta State 45, Albany State 14
Recap: Junior Jameel Padgett had four total tackles with one sack for seven yards and two tackles for loss for eight yards to lead the Blazers to a season opening win at home. Quahlin Patterson opened the game with a 14 yard scamper to put the Blazers ahead early, Patterson finished the game with 6 carries for 35 yards. Durham made his debut rushing for 6 carries and 57 yards and one touchdown. Killian finished with 2 tackles and Heck had 1 tackle on defense for the Blazers.
Photos courtesy of Valdosta State Athletic Department and Ivory Durham IV
904 to the 229 connection
Ivory Durham (Fr., QB) Raines – 21 of 38 for 363 yards and 7 TD, 40 carries for 442 yards, 7 TD, 2 punt returns for 27 yards
Tanner Jackson (Fr., WR) Ponte Vedra – Redshirted
Raynell Killian (Fr., DB) Raines – 30 tackles
Tyrell Lyons (Sr., DL) First Coast – 35 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 QB hurries
Isaiah Johnson (So., RB) Union County – 6 carries for 22 yards, 1 TD, 1 catch for 3 yards
Denzell Heck (Jr., DB) Ed White – 2 tackles
Diop Kee (Fr., DB) Raines – Redshirted
Mondrell Jefferson (So, DB) Baker County – 27 tackles, 1 FF, 1 INT
Jackson Bull (Fr., LB) Fleming Island – 17 tackles, 1 sack
Jameel Padgett (Jr., DL) Englewood – Missed most of season due to injury
Kyler Crosby (Fr., FB) West Nassau – Reshirted
Terrance Lovett (Fr., OL) St. Augustine – Redshirted
Trevor Rollinson (Fr., DL) Ponte Vedra – Redshirted
David White (Fr., WR) Westside – 18 catches for 234 yards, 4 touchdowns
Mike McCray (Fr., WR) Ribault – Redshirted
Darius Smalls (Jr., DL) Westside – 18 tackles
Teddy Ingram (Fr., WR) Lee – Redshirted
Quahlin Patterson (So., RB) Ridgeview – 52 carries for 340 yards with 1 TD, 6 catches for 27 yards
Kerwin Bell (Head coach) Former head coach at Jacksonville University for 9 years (66-35) two Pioneer League titles
Kade Bell (QB coach) Former quarterback at Providence, Fleming Island and Jacksonville University
Coaches
904 Players
