Football Preview – UWA vs Malone

WEST ALABAMA (6-4) vs MALONE (3-7)
Nov. 12, 2016 l Tiger Stadium | Livingston, Ala. | 2 p.m. l ESPN 104.9

THE SERIES
This is the first meeting between the Tigers and Malone University.

WEST ALABAMA
West Alabama is 6-4 overall after a 37-22 loss at home to Valdosta State last week.

MALONE
Malone, out of Canton, Ohio, is 3-7.

THE COACHES
Brett Gilliland is 18-14 in his third season at UWA, his third as a head coach. Fred Thomas is 3-7 in his first season at Malone, his first as a collegiate head coach.

COVERAGE
Radio: ESPN 104.9 or
www.espn1049.com

SENIOR DAY
Saturday is the final home game for 11 West Alabama seniors who will be honored in pregame ceremonies. These seniors have put together a 26-17 record over the last four years and are the first senior class to win six GSC games in a season since the 1975 seniors.

ELLIS IN OPPOSING BACKFIELDS
Sophomore defensive end Darius Ellis is making a living in opponents backfields this season. The sophomore from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, is second in the GSC an 11th in the nation in tackles for loss with 19. He is 17th in the nation and second in the league with 9.5 sacks.

79 AND COUNTING
Tiger receiver Donta Armstrong is second in the nation and leads the GSC with 79 total receptions. His 7.9 receptions per game is third in the nation and leads the GSC.

AUSTIN CLOSING IN ON BRETT
Tiger quarterback Austin Grammer is closing in on his head coach for the school record for passing attempts, which is held by Brett Gilliland, who threw 451 passes on 2002. With one regular season game to go, Grammer has attempted 392, needing to throw 60 times this week to break the record. He is 30 completions short of Gilliland's 2002 completion record of 280 in 2002.

TOTAL OFFENSE, PASSING LEADER
UWA quarterback Austin Grammer leads the GSC in total offense with an average of 312.6 yards per game. The senior from Tuscaloosa also leads the league passing at 297.8 yards per game.

SUPPORTING UWA STUDENT FOOD BANK
Beginning 90 minutes prior to kickoff, Tiger fans have the opportunity to donate to the University of West Alabama Student Food Bank. The first 75 Tiger fans who bring two (2) items from the food bank will be get a free Tiger t-shirt. A voucher worth $5 off at the Tiger Merchandise Tent will be given to all other Food Bank donors.

DROP TO 9th
UWA dropped to 9th in the NCAA Division II Super Region 2 poll following the home loss to Valdosta State last week. A win over Malone and a little help from friend and/or foe could still land the Tigers in the 2016 Playoff picture. The playoffs begin Nov. 19.

GOTTA GO BACK TO BLACK
West Alabama is 3-0 in the black pants donated to the Tigers by former Tiger and current New England Patriot Malcolm Butler. UWA beat Mississippi College and Florida Tech in black pants and red jerseys and took care of West Georgia in black pants and white jerseys.

UNIFORM COMBINATIONS RECORD
Red Jersey, Red Pants: 1-1
White Jersey, Red Pants: 1-1
White Jersey, White Pants: 1-1
Red Jersey, Black Pants: 2-0
Red Jersey, White Pants: 0-1
White Jersey, Black Pants: 1-0

ABOUT MALONE UNIVERSITY
Malone University is a Christian university for the arts, sciences and professions in the liberal arts tradition, affiliated with the Evangelical Friends Church. Located in Canton, Ohio, Malone University offers 41 majors, 42 minors, and 11 graduate programs. Nationally, Malone University is ranked in the top four percent of colleges and universities in career outcomes, top 10 (#9) best online financial aid packages, and top 50 (#30) most affordable Christian colleges.

PERMANENT CAPTAINS
The Tiger football team has elected permanent captains for the 2016 season. Teammates elected quarterback Austin Grammer, strong safety Felix Woods and special teams guru Bob Myers. All three are seniors.

LINE PLAY
After 10 games this season, every member of the UWA starting offensive line has an average grade of no lower than 83%. Center Call Dyer leads the guys up front with seven pancakes, while tackle Xavier Hemingway leads Tiger blockers at 88% assignment completion.

NCAA SELECTION SHOW
The NCAA Division II Football Selection Show will air this Sunday, November 13 at 4 PM ET on NCAA.com. (Show link here: http://www.ncaa.com/live/player?vid=2016/2731&date=2016/11/13 )

STUDENT REWARDS COME TO END
Saturday's game also marks the end of the fall UWA Athletics Student Rewards program. Winners will be announced in the break between the third and fourth quarter. First place is a multi-media double din system from Cash, Buy, Sell & Trade in York, second place is $105 gift certificate from Faunsdale Bar and Grill and third place is a $100 gift certificate from Big Mike's Steakhouse in Thomasville.

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Players Mentioned

#67 Call Dyer: OL; 6' 4"; Redshirt Freshman

#19 Darius Ellis: B; 5' 10"; Sophomore

#38 Felix Woods: SS; 5' 11"; Senior

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

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

#77 Xavier Hemingway: OL; 6' 4"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#67 Call Dyer
: 6' 4"; Redshirt Freshman
: OL

#19 Darius Ellis
: 5' 10"; Sophomore
: B

#38 Felix Woods
: 5' 11"; Senior
: SS

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

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

#77 Xavier Hemingway
: 6' 4"; Junior
: OL