LIVINGSTON, Ala. - The University of West Alabama football team's attempt at a comeback fell short on Saturday from Terry Bunn Field at Tiger Stadium, falling to No. 20/19 Valdosta State University 20-14.

The Blazers improved to 9-1 and 6-1 in the Gulf South Conference, while the Tigers dropped to 4-5 and 3-4.

VSU, ranked 20th in the latest coaches poll administered by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and 19th in the D2football.com media poll.

"We had the opportunities to win in a lot of ways and we did not capitalize. We played a good team, and when you good teams, you cannot miss things that ultimately cost us," said head coach Brett Gilliland.

Prior to kickoff, West Alabama honored its 16 seniors were recongized for their attributes to the UWA football program: Bo Berens, Jake Bius, Tahj Brighthaupt, Davonchae Bryant, Chance Butts, Jamal Ellis, Latrell Hatten, John Hilbert, Shamar Lewis, Damario Nichols, Michael Sharpley, Jamarcus Smith, Trevon Stanford, Artavious Washington, Matt Whitman and Kel Williams.

After VSU won the coin toss and deferred to the second half, UWA got the offense going right out of the gate. On the first play of the game, following a Dearrius Nelson 32-yard kickoff return, Tucker Melton found Tyler Walker for a 62-yard strike to the end zone and a 7-0 Tigers lead.

The Blazers responded on their first drive of the game with six of their own. After VSU was penalized with a holding call on first and goal from the 10-yard-line, Sammy Edwards fired to Council Allen for the 20-yard touchdown reception to even the score at seven points apiece.

Following a UWA three-and-out, VSU came back strong and got the ball inside the UWA 30. On a third down and needing a couple of yards for the first down, Davonta Jackson stopped G'Mone Wilson for no gain and forcing the Blazers to try for a 42-yard field goal. Estin Thiele's attempt was wide right, keeping the score even at seven points each.

After UWA's ensuing drive was stalled, VSU had great field position at midfield and used receptions from B.K. Smith for 28 and four to get the Blazers into the red zone. However, the Tigers defense forced a fourth down situation for the Blazers offense. Needing two yards for the score, Council Allen was unable to maintain control of the ball, as it fell on the turf forcing the turnover on downs.

Late in the first quarter, Allen made up for the dropped pass on fourth down, as he caught a 52-yard pass from Edwards to give the visitors the 14-7 lead.

West Alabama found a spark after allowing the score, as Tyler Smith sprinted 52 yards on a kickoff return to put the offense in Valdosta State territory at the 35-yard line. The offense did get a five-yard run by Brayden Jenkins, but back-to-back incomplete passes forced the kicking team to come out.

A 42-yard field goal by UWA was wide left, and it kept VSU in control of the lead, 14-7.

Later in the second period, VSU had another opportunity to extend the lead with a 47-yard field goal, but the attempt went to the left again. From there, neither offense could muster up a long drive that led to points, and the score was Valdosta State 14, West Alabama 7, at the halftime whistle.

After Valdosta State started the second half with a 40-yard kickoff return to flip the field to the UWA 40-yard-line, the defense stood tall and forced a fourth down and short situation at the UWA 32. Already missing two field goals from similar distances, the Blazers decided to go for it. Needing two yards for the first down, the pass from Edwards fell incomplete and another turnover on downs.

UWA saw the momentum quickly shift back to its sideline. After converting a fourth down and one on the legs of Bry Webb, Darius Nalls found Melton's 55-yard pass for the touchdown to even the score at 14 with 10:36 left in the third.

Late in the third quarter, after a fumble by UWA, Edwards had another long pass for a score, this time a 48-yard strike by Rodney Bullard to give the Blazers the 20-14 lead. However, instead of the point-after attempt, they decided to go for the two-point conversion. VSU went left and found Shamar Lewis for the pick in the end zone to keep the advantage at six for the Blazers.

"We always felt like we were in it. When we picked up the INT in the end zone, we felt like that was our in to get back into the game."

The Tigers were unable to get any offense going in the fourth quarter. On their final drive, it was stalled at the 23-yard line as Webb was two yards short of the line to gain to keep the drive going.

"We had some big plays; the two touchdowns were both huge for us. We still were not consistent on first down that led to drives going three-and-out. That is something we have to fix; we cannot rely on the big plays," added Gilliland.

Tucker Melton had his best game of the season on Saturday with 253 passing yards on 17-of-32 and two scores.

Brayden Jenkins rushed for a new career-high 71 yards on 13 carries on Saturday. Bry Webb added 58 yards on 18 carries.

Darius Nalls had a touchdown reception and 92 yards receiving, while Tyler Walker added 72 and a score.

Trevon Stanford led UWA with eight tackles, while Davonchae Bryant contributed two tackles for a loss and a sack.

Sammy Edwards led VSU with three touchdowns on 26-of-44 passing with 360 yards. Two Blazers caught 100 or more yards: Rodney Bullard (108) and Council Allen (101).

West Alabama will wrap up the regular season looking to finish .500 on the campaign on Saturday at Shorter University. Kickoff is scheduled for noon CT from Barron Stadium in Rome, Georgia.