Happy Homecoming for Gilliland, Lee in 45-21 UWA Win at UWF

Box Score

PENSACOLA, Fla. – It couldn't have been a happier homecoming for West Alabama head football coach Brett Gilliland. The Tigers' 35-year-old head coach walked into scenic Blue Wahoos Stadium on Pensacola Bay with his Tiger team Saturday and walked out with a 45-21 Gulf South Conference football win over West Florida.

A Pensacola native and former Escambia County High School quarterback, Gilliland brought arguably the hottest team in the Gulf South Conference to the Florida Panhandle and guided them to a fifth consecutive win, this one over the upstart Argonauts.

"Pensacola is a special place for my family and me," Gilliland said. "In addition to a lot of UWA alumni in this area, there are so many great high school coaches who have been great to me and my family, even ones I didn't play for. I hope we gave them something to be proud of today."

This West Alabama (6-3, 6-1) team is the first to win five straight since the 2011 squad and the first to win six Gulf South Conference games in a season since the 1975 team. In their first season to field a team, West Florida (5-4, 3-3) lost for the first time at Blue Wahoos Stadium.

West Alabama scored early and often, building a 28-7 lead by halftime, thanks mainly to quarterback Austin Grammer and receivers Barnard McGhee and Donta Armstrong. Grammer and McGhee hooked up for three touchdown passes in the first 30 minutes. Armstrong had 11 first-half receptions.

"You have to give it up to Austin (Grammer) and the offensive line," McGhee said. "This group of receivers competes with each other every day and we feed off each other. It's fun playing with them."

In just three quarters of work, Grammer completed 41-of-56 for 493 yards and three scores. Armstrong ended up with 14 catches for 116 yards, McGhee 10 receptions for 138 yards. West Alabama rang up 536 total yards in the game.

"I say it every week, but playing with these guys makes my job pretty easy," Grammer said. "It was encouraging to see Dude (McGhee) step in for Corey (Davis) and not miss a beat. And what about our offensive line? If I can't get the ball off, none of us have the kind of days we enjoyed today."

West Alabama's defense had collected 16 turnovers in the last four games. The Argos lost just two fumbles Saturday, but the Tiger defenders limited the second-most potent offense in the GSC to 130 yards under its average.

"We came out with a lot of energy and played with our hands, eyes and feet," nose tackle Michael Williams said. "Our coaches said all week that we needed a great effort and we didn't flinch. We just keep getting better each game."

Kaleb Nobles connected with Antoine Griffin for a 32-yard touchdown pass midway through the first quarter to make it 7-7 after the first period. Grammer and McGhee had hooked up for 20 yards and a TD to open scoring at the 10:10 mark of the first period.

Grammer and McGhee's other two scoring passes, in addition to a 1-yard TD run by Lakendric Thomas, gave the Tigers are comfortable halftime cushion.

Rashaad Lee, who like Gilliland, played is high school football in Pensacola, scored on a 1-yard run to make it 35-7 West Alabama with 11:43 left in the third quarter. Davonta Parker-Johnson's 1-yard run and a 25-yard field goal by Jordan Bennett made it 45-7 UWA after three quarters.

West Florida managed two scores late in the game after the Tigers had cleared the bench, a 22-yard run by Grey Jackson and a 14-yard TD pass from Jackson to Ishmel Morrow. West Alabama limited Morrow, the leading receiver in the GSC coming into the game, to just four receptions and 50 yards.

In addition to his field goal, Bennett nailed six extra points. Freshman punter Zach Gaines averaged 51.2 yards on five punts.

Jackson had 73 yards on five carries to lead all rushers. Nobles finished 17-of-35 for 130 yards and a score. Jackson was 14-of-24 for 118 and a TD. Griffin and Tate Lehito both had six receptions for 59 yards to lead UWF.

West Alabama's march to the playoffs continues Saturday when Valdosta State comes to Tiger Stadium for a "Red Out" game. All Tiger fans are encouraged to "See Red" for the 2 p.m. kickoff.

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Players Mentioned

#39 Jordan Bennett: K/P; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#6 Rashaad Lee: RB; 5' 7"; Junior

#9 Barnard McGhee: WR; 5' 8"; Junior

#99 Michael Williams: DT; 6' 1"; Junior

#17 Donta Armstrong: WR; 5' 10"; Junior

#86 Zach Gaines: P/K; 6' 1"; Freshman

#1 Austin Grammer: QB; 6' 2"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#39 Jordan Bennett
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: K/P

#6 Rashaad Lee
: 5' 7"; Junior
: RB

#9 Barnard McGhee
: 5' 8"; Junior
: WR

#99 Michael Williams
: 6' 1"; Junior
: DT

#17 Donta Armstrong
: 5' 10"; Junior
: WR

#86 Zach Gaines
: 6' 1"; Freshman
: P/K

#1 Austin Grammer
: 6' 2"; Senior
: QB