LIVINGSTON, Ala. – Holding a 7-6 lead at halftime, the West Alabama football team was in good shape against #8 West Georgia. The Wolves were able to score early in the third quarter and then able to hold off any comeback attempt by the Tigers to take the 22-7 win in the Gulf South Conference opener for both teams on Saturday inside Tiger Stadium.
The UWA (2-2, 0-1 GSC) defense limited an offense that came in averaging 40 points per game to just 22 points, with nine of those points coming off of turnovers. It was a defensive struggle throughout with 17 combined punts in the game. West Georgia (3-0, 1-0 GSC) held the 361-259 total yardage advantage, including a 164-85 clip on the ground. UWA ended up passing for 174 and had an improved rushing attack going for 85 yards on the afternoon.
Bry Webb had several big runs on the afternoon, including a 39-yard spurt. He tallied 74 yards on 10 carries to lead the Tigers. Demetrius Battle was only able to pick up 21 yards on 12 carries. Tucker Melton completed 14-28 for 136 yards and had a touchdown, along with a pair of interceptions. Jake Corkren entered at quarterback in the fourth quarter, completing 6-13 for 38 yards. Darius Nalls, who picked up nearly a first down on each reception, caught eight passes for 73 yards. John Hilbert had three catches for 39 yards and Caeleb Bass added five catches for 37 yards.
It was another strong performance at linebacker for the reigning GSC Defensive Player of the Week in Michael Anderson. He collected 10 tackles (all solo), along with adding a forced fumble and recovery stopping a drive deep in the red zone. Lamar Gray collected six tackles (four solo) and had two tackles for loss. UWA as a team picked up eight tackles for loss.
After the teams traded possessions to start the game, UWG put together a six play, 64-yard drive that ended with a one-yard TD run form Jaxton Carson for the 6-0 lead as the ensuing extra point hit the upright.
Late in the first quarter, UWA put together an impressive drive that took just over a minute off the clock and ended with the Tigers in front. After Melton found Khris Binion for 14 yards, Webb broke free for his 39-yard run down to the UWG 13. Faced with a third-and-four at the UWG 7, Melton hit Nalls in the corner of the end zone and after Gabriel Dunkle added the extra point, UWA moved in front at 7-6.
As it turned out, that would be the only points of the opening half. The second quarter featured seven combined punts and right before halftime, the Tigers looked to be in position to add on. After a big third down conversion on a 20-yard pass from Melton to Hilbert had the ball out near midfield, the offense got rolling. Melton would later hit Nalls for 24 more yards down near the red zone. Following a 10-yard burst by Webb on the ground to get the ball to the eight, the drive would stall there bringing up a third-and-goal. Melton looked to the end zone, but his pass was intercepted ending the half with UWA still holding the 7-6 lead.
UWG got the ball first to start the second half and quickly moved 49 yards to get in range for a field goal attempt. The 43-yard field goal attempt was denied as Gray and Terrance Monroe combined for the block to keep the Tigers with the one-point lead.
The Wolves were able to find the end zone on the next drive. After forcing a three-and-out by UWA, West Georgia moved the ball down the field on just five plays and 54 yards that took just over a minute off the clock and ended with a five-yard rushing TD by Zion Custis for the 13-7 lead.
UWG kept the momentum going on the next UWA drive when the Wolves came up with an interception out near midfield. Seven plays later, Bro Pellegrino connected on a 34-yard field goal to push the lead to 16-7 midway through the third quarter.
The UWA defense stopped another drive early in the fourth quarter with a 44-yard field goal attempt missing. The Tigers then had a drive moving out near midfield, but would turn the ball over on downs with an incomplete pass on fourth-and-two. The Wolves looked to put the game out of reach on the next drive, but the Tiger defense stood tall getting a turnover forced and recovered by Anderson at the UWA eight.
The Wolves came up with their own big play on defense after that when a strip-sack was recovered and taken to the UWA six. On the next snap, a six-yard TD run by Carson closed the scoring at 22-7.
Harrison Frost completed 18-39 for 197 yards. Xyre Wilson caught three passes for 63 yards. Ronni Blackmon added two catches for 37 yards and Tay Huff picked up four catches for 31 yards. On the ground, Custis rushed for 85 yards on 20 carries, along with a touchdown. Darius Clark and Carson each rushed for 39 yards, while Carson had a pair of rushing scores.
On defense, Robert Carter led the way with eight tackles (seven solo). He also had an interception and a pass breakup. Shahin O'Neal picked up a pair of sacks.
UWA will continue the three-game homestand this coming Saturday, Oct. 1 when they host Shorter for another GSC battle kicking off at 2 p.m. inside Tiger Stadium. Shorter went right down to the end at home against Valdosta State earlier on Saturday with the Blazers hanging on for the 34-30 road win over the Hawks.
