LIVINGSTON, Ala. – With the defense again coming up with big plays, the offense was able to find the running game once again as the West Alabama football team chewed up 338 yards on the ground and four touchdowns on their way to claiming the 37-14 win over Shorter in Gulf South Conference action Saturday inside Tiger Stadium.
It was a three back attack with Bry Webb, Demetrius Battle and Antonio Brown combining for 332 yards and four touchdowns to lead the way. Overall, UWA (3-2, 1-1 GSC) gained 418 yards and held Shorter (2-3, 0-2 GSC) to 215 total yards. The defense collected six sacks and held the Hawks to just 2-18 on third downs.
The Tigers used a complete team effort with special teams coming up big as well. Gabriel Dunkle connected on three field goals and Dearrius Nelson returned three kickoffs for 122 yards, including a big 88-yard return that helped setup a touchdown.
Right away, special teams came to the forefront when the defense held a quick three-and-out for the Hawks. On the ensuing punt, Caeleb Bass was able to get a piece of the punt for the block, setting up the Tigers at the Shorter 29.
Although the drive stalled there, Dunkle came through cashing in from 47 yards out for the field goal and the early 3-0 lead just over two minutes in. His field goal attempt came after Shorter was called for a five-yard running into the punter penalty that allowed UWA to try for three instead of punting.
Shorter briefly took the lead later in the opening quarter. A seven play, 65-yard drive was capped off by a 34-yard touchdown pass from Aeneas Dennis to Amarey Morrow for the 7-3 lead.
Momentum didn't last long for the Hawks, as the ensuing kickoff Nelson caught the return at the UWA four and was able to find a seam up the middle. He then turned towards the far sideline and nearly made it all the way to the end zone before being caught at the Shorter eight for an 88-yard return. Battle took over from there carrying the ball three straight times, with the final carry from two yards out finding the end zone for the 10-7 lead. With Battle's touchdown, he now has 21 career rushing scores to move into a tie for the top-10 list in program history. Battle is also now just 189 rushing yards from also entering the top-10 in program history.
Following another defensive stop, the Tigers were on the move to start the second quarter. On third-and-nine, Jake Corkren was able to find Darius Nalls who turned the crossing route into a 25-yard gain to move the chains down to the Shorter 11. UWA would turn the 48-yard drive into points with Dunkle hitting from 27 yards out for the 13-7 lead.
Neither team was able to generate any offense the rest of the half with UWA taking the 13-7 lead into the locker rooms.
It was a big stop by the defense early in the third quarter. After a muffed snap on a punt placed the ball at the UWA 42, the Tiger defense was able to stop the drive inside the 10 forcing a field goal. The field goal attempt from 26 yards missed leaving it a 13-7 lead.
Right after that play, UWA took all the momentum and ran away with it – literally. On the next offensive snap, Webb found a seam and was able to go 80 yards for the touchdown to boost the lead to 20-7.
Later in the third with the teams forcing punts, another big run helped put the game out of reach. With the ball at the UWA 43 following a turnover on downs, Antonio Brown broke free for a 57-yard rushing score to push the lead to 27-7.
UWA began the fourth quarter capping off a 32-yard drive when Dunkle hit his third field goal of the game, this one from 36 yards out for the 30-7 lead.
Shorter tallied their final points of the game midway through the quarter turning an interception into a touchdown two plays later.
Spencer Arceneaux then joined the rushing party at quarterback and was able to lead the team down the field for the final points of the game. With the ball just past midfield, Arceneaux started the drive with a 22-yard run. Webb then took over with five straight carries, with the last one finding the end zone from 12 yards out to provide the final margin of 37-14.
With the win, UWA has now won all 11 meetings against Shorter. The home win in Livingston also snapped a six-game losing streak at home dating back to last season. The 338 team rushing yards is the most since UWA rushed for 314 yards last season against North American. The last time the Tigers eclipsed 338 rushing yards was back in 2014 going for 473 yards against Concordia and 340 against Shorter in the same season.
Webb ended rushing 15 times for 164 yards and two touchdowns. Brown carried the ball 10 times for 84 yards and a score, while Battle added 18 carries for 84 yards and a touchdown. Arceneaux picked up 46 rushing yards on three carries. Corkren completed 11-28 for 80 yards. Nalls caught three passes for 31 yards, while John Hilbert had four catches for 23 yards.
Michael Anderson and Trevon Stanford led the defense with six tackles apiece. Kel Williams and Shamar Lewis added five tackles each. Davonchae Bryant recorded 2.5 sacks, while Jamal Ellis added 1.5. Bryant also had three pass breakups, tipping multiple passes at the line of scrimmage.
UWA held Aeneas Dennis to just 10-24 for 93 yards and a touchdown. Harold Cook played a lot in the second half and completed 6-14 for 28 yards. Justus Durrant rushed for 78 yards and a touchdown. John Dickerson caught four passes for 38 yards and Morrow had his one reception for a touchdown of 34 yards.
On defense, Debonn Lane and Artellious Edmond came away with nine tackles each. Bryan Rice picked up three tackles for loss and a sack.
Following the three straight home games, UWA will now hit the road this coming week as they will play at nationally-ranked Valdosta State with kickoff set for 6 p.m. (Central) on Saturday, Oct. 8.
