LIVINGSTON, Ala. – Will they or won't they?
 
The running game has been pretty successful for West Alabama over the last two weeks, piling up 685 yards, so they just might. West Georgia has the top defense against the run in the Gulf South Conference, allowing just 76.3 yards per game, so they just might not.
 
Senior running back Matt Willis only needs three yards to become UWA's career rushing leader, so they just might … at least early in the game. According to the stat sheet, West Georgia has the league's worst pass defense, allowing 330 yards per game, so they just might not.
 
UWA has made a big living the last two weeks in the running game while improving to 3-1 overall and 1-0 in the GSC. Coach Will Hall has made no bones about how his club enjoys a smash mouth, in your face attack.
 
“That's how championships have been won since football was invented. At the elite levels, from the NFL on down, nobody's winning that can't run the football and can't stop the run,” Hall said. “West Georgia is a hungry football team that wants to come in here and prove they are a playoff caliber football team.”
 
The Wolves come to Tiger Stadium for a 6 p.m. kick off at 2-1 overall. Saturday's game will be the GSC opener for West Georgia, who is coming off an open date last week.
 
The Tigers have run the ball 107 times and attempted just 31 passes over the last two weeks, but casual fans could be lulled into forgetting that UWA passed for 471 yards (235.5 pg) in the first two games this season.
 
“We also have some good receivers and tight ends, so we do need to throw the ball,” Hall said. “We are capable of doing that, and hopefully we will get that part of our game going as the season progresses.”
 
“We will only go as far as our offensive line will take us. It's fun to play that way,” quarterback Gary Johnston said about the Tigers recent overland express. “Still, we like to get everybody involved. We have a great bunch of receivers and we want to get them touches, but as long as we are winning, everybody's happy.”
 
West Alabama offensive linemen have dubbed Willis “The Mule” and will be just as pleased, if not more so than Willis, when he breaks the career rushing record.
 
“You can't beat “The Mule”, Matt Willis. When you know you have somebody like him running behind you its fun and makes you want to do well,” tackle Ethan Corkren said. “We have a good scheme this week. It's going to be a close game, but we can make it work if we just handle our business.”
 
“I imagine “The Mule” will get his three (yards) this week,” an understated Hall said about his Harlon Hill Trophy candidate who has run for 2,055 yards in just 16 games at UWA. “That's a testament to him, but also to our offensive line. Those guys are nasty.

“They love to play the way we play. (Offensive coordinator) Coach (Sam) Gregg is doing a great job with them,” Hall said. “The tight ends and fullbacks are also doing a great job. We are blocking well on the perimeter.”
 
One thing is guaranteed, however. With a Robert Henry led defense that leads the GSC in scoring (16.2 ppg), total defense (257.8 ypg), interceptions (8) and sacks (13), it affords Hall and Gregg the luxury of going either by land or by air … or both.
 
So will they or won't they? Only 60 minutes on Saturday night will tell.