VALDOSTA — For the first time in quite a while, opposing teams have been bringing additional players into the box to account for VSU’s running game.

The Valdosta State football team has been keeping defenses honest all season, accumulating 184.9 rushing yards per game. The number of carries are almost even with the number of passing attempts (35 rushes a game to 38 passes), a ratio that is usually much more steered to the latter.

“Ever since Southern Arkansas, everybody has been playing us a lot different,” VSU coach David Dean said. “They’ve been putting more people in the box, and backing off us a little bit in the secondary, respecting our deep plays, as well as our running game.”

The shift to a more balanced offense took another turn Saturday when VSU quarterback Willie Copeland walked under center on a snap and stayed there.

The Blazers ran several plays from the I-formation, and even scored in the run heavy lineup.

The I-formation offense is something Dean installed earlier in the season, but was used for the first time in a 37-0 win against West Alabama.

“We felt like we could line up a bit and run at those guys,” Dean said. “So it was just a little bit of a change up for us. It’s not something we’re going to major in, but we just felt like it was something we had to do to spruce up our running game.”

The Blazers new coaching staff has made a point to bring a more balanced attack to VSU’s usual throw the ball all over the field offense. But along with the new philosophy also is a stronger offensive line.

Led by the tutelage of line coach David Elsenrath in his first year in the role for VSU, the Blazers’ line has hunkered down and given the rushing game something to run behind.

“When we go into a game, and we can rush from scrimmage we become a dynamic force,” Elsenrath said. “We’re going to do our best to run when we can run it, and protect when we can protect.”

The Blazers will need to do both in Saturday’s pivotal matchup against North Alabama.

UNA comes to Bazemore-Hyder Stadium as the No. 1 ranked team in the Southeast Region and the No. 2 ranked team in the nation.

“They’re a very talented group,” Elsenrath said. “They’re in the league of Delta State. They’re very talented at linebacker, and on the defensive front. They’re going to give us a bunch of looks, and they’re going to use their speed on the edges to get penetration.”

The Lions come at an offense trying to make plays and force turnovers, causing 29 turnovers this season. They do so with quick linebackers and a defensive line that features both size and speed.

“They are surviving right now on their ability to create turnovers,” Dean said. “It’s incredible how they can create turnovers. We have to be able to protect the football.”