LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The University of West Alabama football team begins a new era as it heads into Thursday evening's contest. When first-year head coach Will Hall leads the Tigers onto the field at Ladd-Peebles Stadium, the Red and White seek to snap South Alabama's undefeated streak. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. The game can be heard on ESPN 104.9 FM and www.espn1049.com. The game can also be viewed at www.espn3.com.

Thursday's outing marks the second time the Red and White have opened with a Division I opponent in the last five seasons. The Tigers dropped a 23-21 decision at Samford to open the 2007 slate. The televised tilt is also one of three for UWA this season.

UWA enters the contest after posting a 7-4 record last season – marking the first back-to-back winning seasons since the 1982 and 1983 squads combined for a 12-8 record.

Gary Johnston takes over the reins of the Tiger offense replacing Deon Williams, who completed 62 percent of his passes while amassing nearly 3,400 yards and 25 touchdowns last season. Johnston, a junior from Gulf Shores, Ala., has thrown for 515 yards over the course of his two seasons in Livingston with four TDs and two interceptions. USA quarterback C.J. Bennett threw for 1,189 yards as a freshman last season with nine scores.

Gerald Worsham and T-Ray Mitchell return as offensive weapons for the Tigers. Last season, Worsham became the program's all-time leader in receiving yards with 2,180. The Birmingham, Ala., native caught 80 passes for 1,201 yards and 11 TDs in 2010 – leading all UWA wideouts. Mitchell led the Red and White ground game with 843 yards and six scores. The Selma, Ala., sophomore also posted four games with 100-plus rushing yards. Kendall Houston returns as the leading rusher for the Jags. Houston tallied a team-leading 10 touchdowns a season ago while garnering 891 yards on the ground.

Linebackers Gabe Poe, Deon Lacey and defensive lineman Justin Hawkins guide an experienced, defensive core onto the field. Poe (Pheba, Miss.) posted a team-best 97 tackles a season ago while Lacey (Birghton, Ala.) registered third with 49. Hawkins (Centerpoint, Ala.) tallied 25 stops in 2010 – which stood as third among the defensive front. As a unit, the Tiger defense allowed 375 yards and 22.3 points per game. Jags' leading tackler Enrique Williams pilots a USA defense that surrendered 254 yards and 13 points per outing last season. Williams broke up three passes while totaling 48 tackles in 2010.

Continuous shuttle service to Ladd-Peebles Stadium will be available at the Bel Air Mall, with the cost $2.50 per person for a round-trip ticket; it will depart the mall parking lot south of Target and J.C. Penney beginning at 2:30 p.m. and provide continuous loop service until 90 minutes after the conclusion of the game. Fans are encouraged to ride before 5:30 p.m. in order to arrive at the stadium before kickoff. Immediately after the contest ends, there will be a fireworks show.

Fans can follow the Tigers on Facebook (www.facebook.com/UWAathletics) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/UWAathletics). Additionally, fans may also sign up to receive SMS text alerts at www.uwaathletics.com.