LIVINGSTON, Ala. – While there were 36 combined first downs and 538 total yards of offense, the two teams managed to score just 23 points as the West Alabama football team fell just short to Tuskegee, 13-10, Saturday afternoon in front of a strong crowd at Tiger Stadium.
With a home crowd well over 4,000 in attendance, UWA (2-1) had the crowd rocking following a touchdown early in the second quarter that moved the Tigers in front at 10-3. After that, Tuskegee (1-2) tied the game before halftime and scored the only points in the second half, a 29-yard field goal, that was the difference.
The UWA defense stood tall all game long, as they were on the field for over 41 minutes and 72 plays. Michael Anderson was all over the field with a game-high 13 tackles (nine solo), along with 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack. Lamar Gray added seven tackles and De Mays with six and a half-tackle for loss. Jamal Ellis collected 1.5 sacks and Austen Cosby was the other part of the half-sack. Shamar Lewis added a big interception that turned into the only touchdown on the day for the Tigers after he returned it 31 yards into the red zone.
The Golden Tigers opened the scoring taking the opening drive down the field 50 yards and setting up a 42-yard field goal.
On the ensuing drive, UWA answered. A 10 play, 47-yard drive started with good field position after Tuskegee tried an on-side kick that was recovered out near midfield. On the drive, Tucker Melton found John Hilbert for 20 yards and then on a big second-and-25 following back-to-back penalties, Melton hit Geordan Pollard for a 35-yard strike to put the ball inside the red zone at the 16. Although the drive would stall at the eight, Gabriel Dunkle connected on the 26-yard field goal to the tie the score at three midway through the opening quarter.
Early on in the second quarter, the defense delivered a big play to send UWA on top for the first time on the afternoon. Faced with a third-and-10 at the Tuskegee 24, UWA brought the pressure and the pass sailed over the intended receiver. Lewis was there to intercept the pass at the Tuskegee 47 and returned it 31 yards down to the 16.
The offense would cash in. Following two straight incompletions, Melton hit Hilbert for a 16-yard touchdown, as he was able to elude a couple of defenders near the goal line. Dunkle added the extra point for the 10-3 lead with 12:14 to play in the first half.
After UWA turned the ball over on downs at the Tuskegee 40, the Golden Tigers engineered a 10 play, 60-yard drive that chewed up over six minutes off the clock and ended with an 11-yard TD pass to tie the score at 10 at the break.
Defense took over to start the second half. UWA came up with a big play with Tuskegee on the move at the 39. On fourth-and-eight, the Tigers brought the pressure and Bryson Williams bobbled the snap for a second and before he knew it, Isaac Williams was there for the sack to turn the ball over on downs.
After the teams continued to trade possessions, the game quickly moved into the fourth quarter. Tuskegee, starting out near midfield, were able to get all the way down to the UWA one. With a first-and-goal to go, the defense stood tall. A three-yard loss on a rushing attempt, was followed by an eight-yard sack by Anderson. On third-and-goal at the 12, an incomplete pass setup a 29-yard field goal that pushed Tuskegee in front at 13-10 with 5:38 to play in the game.
UWA completed a pair of 11-yard passes to both tight ends, Owen Harper and Caeleb Bass to move the ball out near midfield. A big sack and then two incompletions followed forcing a punt with just over three minutes to play.
The Tiger defense was hoping for a quick three-and-out, but on third-and-14, Taurean Taylor was able to break loose around the left side for a 39-yard run to pick up the first down. UWA was able to hold the Golden Tigers from there, but the clock was sitting at 34 seconds following the touchback on the punt.
A pass interference moved the ball out to the 35. Then Dalton Bailey caught two passes, one for four yards and the other for nine to push the ball out near midfield. With just six seconds left, UWA went with a pass over the middle that fell incomplete and showed one second left in the game. Out of field goal range, UWA went with the hail marry that was tipped inside the 10 and later intercepted by Tuskegee ending the game with the Golden Tigers taking the 13-10 victory.
UWA finished the game with 230 yards, 207 coming through the air. Tuskegee tallied 308 yards and were well-balanced with 156 on the ground and 152 through the air.
Melton finished the game completing 18-44 for 207 yards and a touchdown. Bailey led the receivers with four catches for 48 yards. Hilbert added three for 45 yards and a touchdown, while Bass had four catches for 42 yards. On the ground, Demetrius Battle rushed eight times for 26 yards, while Bry Webb carried the ball four times for 10 yards.
Williams completed 19-28 for 152 yards and a touchdown to lead Tuskegee. Keynon Webb caught six passes for 64 yards. Corey Petty brought in the one receiving touchdown, while adding five catches for 51 yards. On the ground, Taylor rushed 11 times for 94 yards. Donte Edwards had 19 carries for 53 yards. On defense, Davir Hamilton, Zelly Aldridge and Masiah Wells all had five tackles. Jeremy Dees and Malik Moore picked up sacks.
UWA will remain at home this coming week as they will host West Georgia to begin GSC play on Saturday, Sep. 24 with kickoff set for 2 p.m. at Tiger Stadium. West Georgia was off this week and are 2-0 on the season, entering this week ranked No. 8 in the AFCA Poll.
