ROME, Ga. - The University of West Alabama football team ended the 2023 regular season on a high note with a 28-9 victory over Shorter University, Saturday from historic Barron Stadium.

The Tigers end the 2023 campaign with a 5-5 record and 4-4 in Gulf South Conference play. The Hawks wrap up the season with a 3-8 and 1-7 league record in its final season of GSC competition.

Following a Shorter punt to start the game, UWA used its first drive to strike first on the scoreboard. After Bry Webb made a 34-yard rush to put the Tigers in Hawks territory, Khris Binion found Tucker Melton's pass for the 29-yard touchdown reception.

After each team traded punts, including a 54-yard kick from Trey Sullivan to pin the Hawks at their own two-yard-line, a fumble by Justus Durant thanks to Shamar Lewis poking the ball out and Trevon Stanford falling on the loose ball.

With the ball at the SU seven, after a loss on the play, Melton found Tyler Walker in the middle for a 13-yard score to quickly go up 14-0.

Following another Shorter three-and-out, West Alabama finished the quarter on a seven-play, 72-yard drive, led by a Bry Webb 44-yard rush for the third touchdown of the frame, 21-0.

From there, the defense took charge. After another Sullivan punt to pin the Hawks deep in their own territory, Shorter did force 10 plays on the West Alabama defense, but the Hawks were forced to punt at midfield.

Late in the half, SU did get on the board with a 28-yard field goal by Tyler Simpson. UWA still maintained the 21-3 lead.

After a scoreless third quarter, the Hawks used a 14-play, 41-yard drive to make it a 21-9 score. However, on the point-after attempt, the kick went wide right.

That did not take long for the offense to be revived. After and Edward Payne 18-yard return to the UWA 39-yard-line, a 15-yard penalty for illegal block in the back gave the visitors great field position at the Shorter 47. After Darius Nalls brought in a catch for 40 yards, he added a seven-yard reception to the drive to give UWA the 28-9 as the Tigers secured the regular season finale.

The running duo of Brayden Jenkins and Bry Webb combined for 146 rushing yards on 23 carries. Webb tallied 86 and a score, while Jenkins added 60.

Tucker Melton threw for three touchdowns and went 13-of-24 on the day for 131 yards. The 13 receptions were from five targets, led by Darius Nalls's 62 on seven catches.

On defense, Trevon Stanford led all tacklers with a career-high 16 stops, nine solo, adding a fumble recovery and an interception.

Steven White added two tackles for a loss and a sack, while Davonta Jackson, Jamarvis Turner and Trevon Lambert also had a quarterback sack.

Josh Brown finished the day with a 14-of-29 mark from the passing game with 140 yards, while Justus Durant tallied 76 yards on 23 carries.