Derrick Davis | The Valdosta Daily TimesValdosta State defensive lineman Mitch Watson (53) chases after an Albany State fumble Saturday at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium.

VALDOSTA, Ga. — New year, new Blazers.

Albany State visited Bazemore-Hyder Stadium on Saturday, looking for its second-straight victory in the series, and it left with a 45-14 shellacking at the hands of Valdosta State.

Last season, the Blazers remained scoreless until the fourth quarter of a 29-12 loss at the hands of the Golden Rams in Albany, but they flipped the script in the 2018-19 season opener.

“It was different,” said sophomore receiver Brian Saunds. “It was a different vibe, different environment. We came out in warmups, and I made the comment that, ‘We’re different this year.’

“We came out with a different energy, a different confidence, so that was huge.”

Valdosta State scored on four of its first five possessions, the lone miscue a controversial fumble call near midfield.

By halftime, the Blazers had racked up 294 yards of total offense at 9.48 yards per play to build a 28-0 advantage. VSU finished with 438 yards of offense, 252 on the ground and 186 through the air.

Quarterback Rogan Wells capped the Blazers’ first drive of the season off with a 3-yard rushing touchdown, and eight minutes later, Saunds rose in the back corner of the end zone to haul in a 7-yard touchdown pass over a Golden Rams defensive back.

Saunds finished the game with four catches for 64 yards and two scores, winning the battle against defensive backs with the ball in the air on nearly every reception, including the 15-yard touchdown catch that pushed the lead to 38-0 on the final play of the third quarter.

“it’s just about being aggressive,” Saunds said. “Coach always harps on me: ‘Make a play.’ As the leader of the receivers, I have to set the standard. I have to be the example.

“If I don’t go and get those balls, I’m not doing that.”

Wells completed 13-of-20 passes for 176 yards and three touchdowns, in addition to his rushing touchdown, but the Blazers did much of their damage on the ground against the Golden Rams.

After going all season without a 100-yard rusher a year ago, VSU saw Jamar Thompkins hit the century mark against Albany State, finishing with a game-high 128 yards on just seven carries.

But it wasn’t just the Blazers’ offense that made a 180 degree turnaround from last year’s season opener.

Albany State carried the ball 51 times for 212 yards in its victory against VSU last season. The Golden Rams carried the ball 42 times for 87 yards Saturday, including just eight yards on 19 first-half attempts.

“We knew that they were a heavy run team, so all week in practice we were preaching: stop the run, stop the run, stop the run,” said VSU safety Raymond Palmer. “If we do that, we could get them in third and long situations and make them throw the ball, something they’re not comfortable with doing.”

In the first half, as Valdosta State built its 28-0 lead, Albany State averaged just 1.62 yards per play over 27 snaps on offense.

The Golden Rams put together their best drive of the game on their first possession of the third quarter, going 29 yards on eight plays before ultimately turning the ball over on downs at the VSU 42-yard line.

Albany State lost two yards over the balance of its next six plays, as Valdosta State tacked 10 points onto its lead on Andrew Gray’s 29-yard field goal and Saunds’ touchdown catch.

“Last year, after the loss, we had a bad taste in our mouths, because in the history, that was the second time we’ve lost to them in 21 years,” said senior defensive lineman Iseoluwapo Jegede. “So, we just felt like we’ve got to come out here and prove ourselves.”

The Blazers turned to its reserves in the final quarter, leading to a pair of inconsequential Golden Ram touchdowns as Valdosta State worked to nurture some of the young players for a possible role later in the season.

Derrick Davis is the sports editor at the Valdosta Daily Times.