VSU's O'neal powers Blazers over Carson-Newman, on to the semi- - 14 News, WFIE, Evansville, Henderson, Owensboro

VSU's O'neal powers Blazers over Carson-Newman, on to the semi-finals

Posted: Updated:
  • SPORTS

  • Wednesday, May 22 2013 4:59 PM EDT2013-05-22 20:59:55 GMT
    Brandon Phillips bounced a bizarre double over first base to snap a ninth-inning tie, and the Cincinnati Reds completed a three-game sweep of the struggling New York Mets with a 7-4 victory Wednesday. Joey
    Brandon Phillips bounced a bizarre double over first base to snap a ninth-inning tie, and the Cincinnati Reds completed a three-game sweep of the struggling New York Mets with a 7-4 victory Wednesday.
  • Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:56 PM EDT2013-05-23 01:56:47 GMT
    Tiger Woods says the "fried chicken" comment from Sergio Garcia was hurtful and inappropriate. Two weeks after they verbally sparred at The Players Championship, Woods say it's time to move on. Garcia
    The world's No. 1 player also said their flap is two weeks old and that "it's long past time to move on and talk about golf."
  • Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:49 PM EDT2013-05-23 01:49:10 GMT
    San Francisco 49ers leading wide receiver Michael Crabtree has had surgery to repair a torn right Achilles tendon. Crabtree was operated on Wednesday, one day after suffering the injury during an organized
    Crabtree was operated on Wednesday, one day after suffering the injury during an organized team activity.
Valdosta,GA -

Once again the Valdosta State Blazers used a strong second half to keep its season alive knocking off Carson-Newman 48-26 to advance to the NCAA Division II semi-finals. 

Valdosta State jumped out to a 14-0 lead before Carson-Newman scored 20 unanswered points to take a 23-14 lead at halftime.  In the second half, the VSU defense bowed its back and bottled up the Eagles' high tempo running attack.  The offense came alive early in the half when Cayden Cochran found a streaking Seantavious Jones down the left side for a 37 yard touchdown to make the score 23-21.  That's when freshman running back Cedric O'neal began to wear down the Carson-Newman defense. 

O'neal scored two second half touchdowns and finished the game with 194 yards rushing.  He now has 13 touchdowns on the season which is tied for the third most in school history.   The Dublin, Ga. native has also rushed for 1,055 yards on the season, making him just the eight VSU running back to top the 1,000-yard barrier and the first since Michael Terry ran for 1,107 in 2007

Valdosta State's four rushing touchdowns in the game gave VSU 34 on the year, breaking the old school record of 32 set during the program's 2004 national championship title season.

The Blazers now moves on to play at Minnesota State-Mankato in the semi-finals on December 8th.

Copyright 2012 WALB.  All rights reserved.