LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The 22nd-ranked West Alabama football team opens Gulf South Conference action on Saturday, Oct. 15 as the Tigers (5-1) travel to Valdosta State for a top 25 tussle. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. with UWA's broadcast of the game beginning at 1:30 p.m.

The Red and White look to improve upon a 24-21 victory over VSU last season. The Blazers hold the advantage in the series – which will reunite for the 30th time on Saturday – with a 27-2 record.

The Tigers ride a five-game, win streak into the meeting with Red and Black after sweeping through their first, five Division II opponents, including three straight over members of the Great American Conference.

The squad features of the nation's top running backs in Matt Willis. Willis enters ranked 15th in the country in rushing following four consecutive outings with 100-plus yards on the ground. Willis is averaging 113 yards this season and is tops in the GSC in rushing.

Joining Willis in offensive production this season is Gerald Worsham. Worsham – who stands as the program's leader in receptions and receiving yards – logged a season-high 121 yards on six catches and a score in the Tigers' 38-10 win over Southern Arkansas. It marked his second contest with 100-plus receiving yards this season. Worsham stands 27th in the country in receptions averaging 6.3 per game. Freshman signal caller Kyle Caldwell has thrown for 454 yards on the season with six scores and an interception. The Dadeville, Ala., native has completed 32 of 56 passes (57.1%) during his first season with the Tigers.

Defensively, Deon Lacey continues to pace the Red and White. The Brighton, Ala., product leads the team in tackles with 49. Shontral Ford has tallied 39 stops on the campaign - which is second on the squad – followed Gabe Poe's 33 stoppages. Josh Lewis tops the team in tackles for loss (4.0) and sacks (2.5) while Otha Foster has a team-best three interceptions.

On the season, UWA is averaging 397 yards of offense per game, including 229 by way of the rushing game –which stands as 15th in the nation. The Tigers' scoring defense also ranks 15th in the country while holding its opponents to 16 point per contest. The Red and White are also limiting its opposition's chances as the Tigers are seventh nationally in turnover margin with a 1.3 advantage.

VSU prepares to host UWA after rebounding from a double-digit loss at Arkansas-Monticello with a 40-13 victory at Ouachita Baptist. The Blazers are 5-1 on the season and 2-0 at home with victories over Newberry and Southern Arkansas. Austen Roberts guides the Red and Black's offense as the quarterback has thrown for 1,034 yards and rushed for 205 more with a total of nine touchdowns on the season. Defensively, Chris Pope stands as the catalyst with a team-best 55 tackles on the year, including five for a loss of yardage and one interception.

Following the road trip to VSU, West Alabama travels to West Georgia for its first of two games featured as the GSC-TV Game of the Week. Kickoff on Thursday, Oct. 20 is scheduled for 7 p.m. at University Stadium. The Tigers host in-state foe North Alabama on Thursday, Oct. 27 for the second GSC Game of the Week affair.