UWA and DSU at McCool Stadium – Round 2

CLEVELAND, Miss. – What do you get when you pit the Gulf South Conference's top scoring offense and the league-leading scoring defense for a second time at Parker Field at McCool Stadium on the campus of Delta State University on the final week of the regular season?

If the football cliches that it's "difficult to beat a team twice in one season" or that "defense wins games" are to be believed, then West Alabama might earn a pregame nod. Or does winning the 2022 GSC title with an average margin of victory of 18.5 points in league games and a nine-game winning streak prior to last weekend make the cliches moot?

Only time, and the outcome of probably more than 150 plays being run, will tell.

West Alabama brings the GSC's top scoring defense into the season finale, with the Tigers allowing just 20.2 points per game. The Statesmen lead the league in scoring offense at 44.0 points per game. DSU also leads the conference in total offense at 500.3 yards per game, while UWA is the league leader in passing defense by allowing just 161.1 yards per outing.

Delta State defeated West Alabama 20-7 in the Mississippi flatlands back on Oct. 15 and collected 494 yards total offense while the Tigers picked up 341.

Round two comes Saturday.

"We have a tremendous opportunity for our team this weekend," West Alabama head coach Brett Gilliland said. "It will definitely be a great challenge to go play the conference champions at their home for the second time this season."

Delta State is ranked No. 12 nationally and No. 2 in this week's NCAA Super Region 2 poll with a 9-1 overall record, 6-1 in the league. West Alabama is 5-5, 3-4 in GSC play, and will close its season win or lose Saturday. The outcome of this game will not be reflected in the final GSC standings.

Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. on what is expected to be a chilly day for football in the Mississippi Delta, with expected game time temperatures in the low 50s and dipping into the 40s by the final horn. Tickets range from $7 for youth and senior citizens to $20 and can be bought online.

"Our players are excited for the opportunity and the chance to play together as a team for one more game," Gilliland said. "This is a special senior group and we hope we can send them out on a high note."

West Alabama leads the GSC in third down defense, allowing just 31.4 percent of conversion attempts. Delta State is the offensive leader in converting on those third down tries at 52.6 percent. Both teams get after opposing quarterbacks and are tied for the league lead in sacks with 25.

The Statesmen bring a three-game winning streak against the Tigers into the 69^th meeting between DSU and UWA. Delta State leads the overall series 39-27-3.

A trio of West Alabama defenders collected double-digit tackles in the first game between UWA and DSU, with Michael Anderson and Davonchae Bryant getting 12 each. Bryant also had a tackle for loss and a sack. Trevon Sanford had 10 tackles, including three for loss and a sack for the Tigers.

Marlon Wyndham registered a dozen stops for the Statesmen.

UWA quarterback Tucker Melton completed 21-of-39 passes for 209 yards and ran for 33 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries. DSU signal caller Patrick Shegog was 15-of-31 with two interceptions, two TDs and 197 yards. He led all rushers in the game with 118 yards on 17 trips.

Bry Webb ran for 61 yards on 10 carries for UWA and John Hilbert caught six passes for 90 yards. Delta receiver Dohnte Meyers caught eight passes for 37 yards.

The game will be live streamed on FloSports. Tiger fans can follow Will Atkinson and Rob Pearson's call on SLY 104.9.

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Players Mentioned

#4 Michael Anderson: LB; 6' 0"; Graduate Student

#44 Davonchae Bryant: DE; 6' 7"; Graduate Student

#3 Bry Webb: RB; 5' 11"; Junior

#15 Tucker Melton: QB; 6' 2"; Freshman

#2 John Hilbert: WR; 6' 1"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#4 Michael Anderson
: 6' 0"; Graduate Student
: LB

#44 Davonchae Bryant
: 6' 7"; Graduate Student
: DE

#3 Bry Webb
: 5' 11"; Junior
: RB

#15 Tucker Melton
: 6' 2"; Freshman
: QB

#2 John Hilbert
: 6' 1"; Junior
: WR