CLEVELAND, Miss. – A furious, comeback effort falls short in the University of West Alabama's first bid for a Gulf South Conference Football Title since 1971 as the No. 18 Tigers fall 36-34 to No. 1 Delta State at Parker Field at McCool Stadium on Saturday evening. With the loss, UWA moves to 7-3, 2-2 in conference while Delta State moves to 9-1, 3-0 GSC.
 
In an effort to recover from a 30-point deficit, UWA outscored the Statesmen 34-6 down the stretch before following by two points.
 
After scoring with a minute and half remaining in the contest on a Don Smith 18-yard run to cut the lead to two points, the Tigers two-point conversion fell short as freshman quarterback Kyle Caldwell's shovel pass into the end zone was knocked down at the goal line. The Red and White couldn't corral the ensuing the onside kick, but managed to hold the Green and White to a punt setting up the Tigers' final drive.
 
Off the punt, UWA took possession inside its own two-yard line and quickly moved out to the near midfield with seconds remaining. After an incomplete pass and a rush for just a couple of yards, the Tigers were faced with a 3rd and 8 from the DSU 47. Caldwell after scrambling lofted a ball towards the end zone, but a congress of Statesmen was there to knock the ball to the ground as time expired.
 
The Red and White finished the evening with 407 yards after accumulating just 14 yards in the opening quarter. Matt Willis led the offensive effort with his eight straight 100-yard performance as the Collins, Miss., native tallied 101 on the ground. Willis amassed a career-high three rushing touchdowns in the setback. Smith also played a large part in the Tigers' rushing attack as the Flora, Ala., product totaled 94 yards on eight carries. Caldwell finished the night with 157 yards through the air.
 
After holding the Statesmen to three and out on their first possession and forcing a punt, the Tigers took over inside their own four-yard line. The drive would be a short one for the Red and White as Caldwell was called for intentional grounding in the end zone on the first snap which resulted in a safety. After UWA elected punt the Green and White marched 54 yards on eight plays to increase its lead to 9-0. Bill Franks capped the drive with an eight-yard push across the goal line.
 
After the two squads swapped turns with the football, the Red and White fumbled the ball on its third chance with the ball – the second turnover of the contest – setting up the Statesmen's second TD of the game. Micah Davis carried the ball in from eight yards out to lift the Green and White to a 16-0 lead after the first quarter of action.
 
DSU added two more scores on back-to-back possessions. Davis threw a six-yard strike to Chance Dennis with 13:02 left in the opening half followed by a Dwight Tillman 40-yard, interception return for a score. The third turnover of the game increased the lead to 30-0.
 
After taking over with its best field position of the game, the Delta State 49, UWA finally jumped on the board with just over seven minutes to play as Matt Willis capped a nine-play, 49 yard drive with a two-yard run. The drive was the first for the Tigers covering 20 or more yards during the opening stanza.
 
DSU increased its margin to 36-7 on its first possession of the second half as Davis found Carlton Ollie from 36 yards out to end a seven-play, 75 yard drive. Davis finished with 272 yards on 27-of-39 passing.
 
The Tigers answered on its following possession marching 70 yards on 10 plays to draw within 36-14. The drive was capped by a one yard run by Willis – his second score of the contest.
 
After forcing the second, DSU turnover of the contest – a Davis INT, UWA drove 75 yards on 14 plays to cut the lead to 36-21 early in the fourth quarter. Willis scored for the third time with his second one-yard thrust across the goal line.
 
UWA further nipped into the Green and White deficit as Brandon Walker picked off Davis - forcing the third turnover for the Statesmen. Caldwell ended the drive with a 27-yard scamper to pull within 36-28.
 
West Alabama returns to action on Saturday, Nov. 12 as the Tigers host Georgia State. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. The 15 Tiger seniors will be honored prior to the start of the game.