LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The University of West Alabama football team picked up its first win of the 2011 season as UWA (1-1) outlasted Tarleton State 42-35 in the home opener for the Red and White. The win is also the first of the career for first-year head coach Will Hall.

The Tigers – who racked up 446 yards of total offense – scored on their final two drives to capture the seven-point win. After an 8-yard Don Smith run forced the fourth tie of the game, a Texan punt put the Red and White inside its own 20 yard line to start the eventual game winning drive.

UWA took possession of the ball at its own 15 and marched it 34 yards behind a trio of runs from Matt Willis and a one from Smith to put the offense near midfield. A personal foul against TSU put the ball into Texan territory. Three quick UWA rushes put the Tigers within striking distance at the 15 yard line. Willis would take care of the rest as the Collins, Miss., native scampered into the end zone to put the Tigers up 42-35.

The Texans mounted a rallying drive in the final seconds – threatening into UWA territory, but Nick Stephens' final pass attempt was batted down by Deon Lacey at the goal line as time expired. Stephens finished the night with 310 yards through the air – helping TSU to 445 yards of total offense.

A blow for blow contest throughout, Tarleton landed the first shot of the night scoring on a 23-yard pass to Clifton Rhodes. UWA answered almost immediately as Ken May caught a 70 yard pass from Gary Johnston to knot the game at 7-all. Less than four minutes later, TSU regained the lead on a 6 yard pass to Devon Gray giving the Texans a 14-7 lead after the first quarter.

UWA came out swinging in the second quarter as the Tigers capitalized on a pair of Texan turnovers to lead to 21 points in the period. Gerald Worsham – who became the program's all-time leader in receptions with 178 earlier in the night – caught a 4 yard strike from Johnston with 13:43 left before the half. 20 seconds later the Red and White took a 21-14 advantage as Johnston scored from 9 yards out following a Texan fumble. After the second TSU fumble put the Red and White at the 29 yard line, Johnston found Curt Amacker for the Tigers' third score of the quarter. TSU added a late TD in the half on a 1 yard plunge by Brandon Lowery to nip the lead to 28-21 at the intermission.

A scoreless third quarter set up the drama in the final 15 minutes. Lowery tied the game at 28-all with 13:27 left in the contest on a 10 yard run. Stephens then followed with a 6 yard rush to place the Texans in front 35-28.

Signal caller Johnston finished the night as the leading rusher for the second consecutive outing with 106 yards. The Gulf Shores, Ala., native also threw for 217 on the evening. Willis finished the contest with 99 yards on the ground. Worsham led the way for the receiving corp, hauling in 6 catches for 45 yards.

Defensively, Lacey led the way with 12 tackles, including 8 solo stops, a sack and a pair of tackles for loss. Otha Foster tallied 7 stops on the night for second on the team.

West Alabama returns to action on Saturday, Sept. 17 as it hosts Central State. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. The UWA broadcast begins at 6:30 p.m. with Tiger Walk slated for 3:45 p.m.