Football Game Preview – UWA (4-1) at FIT (2-3)

Joe Chance

#22 Football | 10/8/2015 11:38:00 AM

Twitter: @UWAathletics
Facebook: UWAathletics
www.uwaathletics.com

GAME COVERAGE
The game can be heard in the Twin States on ESPN 104.9, www.espn1049.com or via the ESPN1049 App. Lee Tracey and Robert Upchurch will handle the call. Live video feed and live stats are ]available at http://portal.stretchinternet.com/fit/.

THE SERIES
This is the third meeting between the Tigers and Panthers, with each team having a win in the young series. UWA won the first meeting, 45-3, in 2013 and FIT won last season, 33-32.

WEST ALABAMA
West Alabama is 4-1 after a home loss to West Georgia last week. The Tigers opened the season 4-0 for the first time since 1982.

FLORIDA TECH
Florida Tech is 2-3, but coming off a big win at Delta State last week. The Panthers are 1-1 at home this season.

THE COACHES
Brett Gilliland is 9-7 in his second season at UWA, his second as a head coach. Steve Englehart is 39-29 in his seventh year as a head coach, 13-15 in his third season at FIT.

LOOKING FOR FIRST HOME WIN IN SERIES
Both West Alabama and Florida Tech are looking for their first home wins in the young series. West Alabama opened the series with a 45-3 win at Pirate Stadium in 2013 before the Panthers came to Tiger Stadium and defeated UWA, 33-32, in 2014.

IN 2014
FIT scored two touchdowns in the last 4:58 to beat UWA, 33-32, on Oct. 11 at Tiger Stadium. Mark Cato found tight end Gabe Hughes on a 5-yard TD pass with two seconds left to give FIT its first-ever GSC road win.

IN 2013
UWA rolled up 637 total yards in a 45-3 victory over FIT Sept. 19 at Pirate Stadium. Kyle Caldwell completed 19-of-26 passes for 251 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Javae Swindle ran for 170 yards and two scores on just 10 carries.

UWA DEFENSE TOP 10 IN TWO CATEGORIES
After leading the nation for two weeks in rushing defense, the Tigers are currently third in the land, allowing 54.6 yards per game. UWA is tied for 10th nationally in total defense, allowing five opponents an average of 260 yards per game.

BIG RETURNS FOR PANTHERS
Florida Tech is 10th in NCAA Division II in kickoff returns, averaging 26.22 yards per return.

THREE TO THE END ZONE
Tiger return man Tyreek Hill has already returned two kicks and a punt for touchdowns this season. He had another punt return for a TD called back for a penalty.

2015 PLAYER HONORS
Week 1 - CB Chris Davis, GSC Defensive Player of the Week
Week 2 - QB Dezmon Huntley, GSC Freshman of the Week
Week 4 - RB Tyreek Hill, GSC Special Teams Player of the Week
Week 5 - QB Harry Satterwhite, GSC Freshman of the Week

JAVAE NEEDS 56
Senior A-Back Javae Swindle needs just 56 rushing yards to move past Matt Willis as the all-time leading rusher in UWA football history. Swindle has rushed for 2,116 career yards.

SWINDLE'S LAST TRIP TO PALM BAY
As a sophomore Javae Swindle ran for 170 yards and two touchdowns on just 10 carries against the Panthers at Pirate Stadium in 2013. In two career games against FIT Swindle has rushed for 246 yards on 22 carries, averaging 11.18 yards per carry and 123 yards per game.

SWAMP DEFENDER
Tiger cornerback Chris Davis, AKA Swamp, leads the GSC in passes defended with nine. He has two interceptions and seven break ups.

SINGLE GAME TREYS
UWA place kicker Garrett Mattix's four field goals attempted and made at Texas A&M-Kingsville are both GSC highs for the season.

SINGLE GAME SACKERS
Tiger defenders Felix Woods and Martez Reaves are among six players tied for the GSC lead for sacks in a game with two. Woods had two at Miles and Reaves a pair at Texas A&M-Kingsville.

JARED IN YOUR BACKFIELD, Q EVERYWHERE
UWA defensive tackle Jared Washington is tied for the GSC lead in tackles for loss with seven. Tiger linebacker Quentin Harton is third in the GSC with 41 total tackles (8 pg).

NO TIGER TO THE CENTURY MARK YET
There have been 13 100-yard rushing performances in the GSC this season. UWA is still waiting for its first.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#4 Kyle Caldwell: QB; 5' 7"; Junior

#22 Javae Swindle: RB; 5' 4"; Sophomore

#6 Chris Davis: CB; 5' 9"; Senior

#34 Quentin Harton: LB; 5' 11"; Senior

#95 Garrett Mattix: K; 5' 9"; Senior

#40 Martez Reaves: LB; 6' 3"; Junior

#15 Harry Satterwhite: QB; 6' 1"; Redshirt Freshman

#22 Javae Swindle: RB; 5' 4"; Senior

#41 Jared Washington: DT; 6' 2"; Senior

#38 Felix Woods: LB; 5' 11"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#4 Kyle Caldwell
: 5' 7"; Junior
: QB

#22 Javae Swindle
: 5' 4"; Sophomore
: RB

#6 Chris Davis
: 5' 9"; Senior
: CB

#34 Quentin Harton
: 5' 11"; Senior
: LB

#95 Garrett Mattix
: 5' 9"; Senior
: K

#40 Martez Reaves
: 6' 3"; Junior
: LB

#15 Harry Satterwhite
: 6' 1"; Redshirt Freshman
: QB

#22 Javae Swindle
: 5' 4"; Senior
: RB

#41 Jared Washington
: 6' 2"; Senior
: DT

#38 Felix Woods
: 5' 11"; Junior
: LB