LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The University of West Alabama football team returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 1 as the Tigers open a two-game homestand with Harding. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. The UWA broadcast on ESPN 104.9 FM begins at 5:30 p.m. Live stats, audio and video streaming are available at www.uwaathletics.com. Tiger Walk is slated for 2:45 p.m.

The two teams will meet for the 17th time on Saturday with the Bisons (2-2) leading the series 9-7. The two schools have faced off nine times over the past 11 seasons with HU getting the upper hand six times. The Tigers have claimed the last two outings with wins in 2009 and 2010. Last season's 22-17 win in Searcy was the first since 1981.

West Alabama is 4-3 all-time against the Bisons in the month of October.

Saturday's contest features two teams that aren't shy about playing smash mouth football. Harding enters the contest with the nation's top ranked rushing team (402.25 ypg). The Tigers stand as the top team in the Gulf South Conference in rushing with 217.25 yards per contest – which ranks 28th in the country.

Matt Willis – who has posted back-to-back, 100-plus yard games - leads the Tiger rushing attack. The Collins, Miss., native is averaging 92.7 yards per outing – which ranks 41st in the country. Kale Gelles paces the Bisons' option attack. The senior averages 107.2 yards a contest – 20th in nation – and is one of five players averaging 30 or more yards per game.

The Bisons also sport the nation's top ranked team in total defense – holding their opponents to 194.25 yards per contest. UWA's defense ranks second in the conference in total defense with 293.20 yards per game.

A quartet of Tigers is averaging five or more tackles per game with Gabe Poe and Deon Lacey leading the way. Poe – a native of Pheba, Miss., averages 6.5 with Brighton, Ala.'s Lacey registering 6.2 per contest. Shontral Ford stands third with 6 with D'Eric Jackson averaging 5. Lavanda Powe paces the Red and White with 1.17 tackles for loss – tops on the team – with Lacey right behind with 0.8 tackles behind the line of scrimmage per game.

Aaron Gillaspie leads the Black and Gold with 6.2 stops per game while Josh Aldridge ranks 85th in the nation in tackles for loss with 1.38 per contest.

Saturday's contest is the second of three games against GAC foes for the Tigers. West Alabama hosts  Southern Arkansas on Oct. 8 for Homecoming 2011.