LIVINGSTON, Ala. - The University of West Alabama Football team is set to begin their postseason run on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. as they host the Lenoir-Rhyne Bears in the First Round of the 2024 NCAA Division II Football Playoffs.
No.3 seed West Alabama (9-1, 5-1 GSC) enters the postseason as the 12th ranked team in the country with notable wins over Miles, West Florida, North Greenville, and Limestone. As for No.6 seed Lenoir-Rhyne (9-2, 7-2 SAC), they begin their postseason campaign as the 15th ranked team in the nation with notable victories over Tifton and Limestone.
"Lenoir-Rhyne is a very good program," said head coach
Brett Gilliland. "They went deep in the playoff last year and they're a really good football team in all areas. We have a tough test ahead of us because they're bringing a great and well coached team down here to Tiger Stadium."
When you look at the matchup between the Tigers and the Bears, the defenses that both sides possess is what jumps off the page first. UWA finished their 10 game regular season, allowing 253.4 yards and 11.2 points per game which ranks seventh in all of Division II, making this year's group one of the best in program history. At the conclusion of the regular season, West Alabama was recognized for their performance on that side of the ball as nine defensive players were named to the All-GSC team.
While West Alabama's defense excels, so does Lenoir-Rhyne's. The Bears' defensive unit stands as one of the best in the South Atlantic Conference as they've only allowed 16.8 points per game this season, ranking 25th in the country. Lenoir-Rhyne is strong at all three levels, but their secondary is arguably their best group amongst the entire team. The Bears have intercepted 19 passes thus far, with DBs, Nic Cheely and Chris Brown leading the charge as the duo has combined for nine interceptions this season. Cheely is the team leader and is currently tied for fourth in the nation with a career-high five interceptions through 11 games. A high note for the Tigers is that Quarterback
Spencer Arceneaux hasn't turned the ball over much this year, but he must continue to excel in ball protection to keep the Bears' ball-hawking secondary at bay.
UWA's Defensive Back group is right there with Lenoir-Rhyne's as one of the best units in America. Led by First Team All-GSC selection
Lamar Gray and Second Team All-GSC recipient
Issac Williams, West Alabama has neutralized a lot of top receivers in the GSC this season while Gray and Williams have also excelled in run support. The Tigers' elite safety duo has combined for 99 tackles and six interceptions this year and will need to continue their excellence on Saturday against a Lenoir-Rhyne team that throws the ball all over the field.
Quarterback Jalen Ferguson leads the Bears' passing attack and will have his fingerprints all over the action on Saturday, with Lenoir-Rhyne being down to their third and fourth string running backs. This year, Ferguson has thrown for 14 touchdowns and 2,613 yards through 11 games, putting the redshirt junior 15th in the country in passing yards. Ferguson is your prototypical pocket passer with immense arm talent, but can struggle with turnovers at times. The Quarterback has thrown 10 interceptions this season which bodes well for a West Alabama defense that's recorded 14 INTs, heading into Saturday's matchup.
With the country's active sack leader,
Trevon Lambert, screaming off the edge and interior linemen in
Davonta Jackson and
Cody Sigler in the middle, UWA's pass rush could be a real issue for Lenoir-Rhyne. If the Tigers' can get their usual pass rush, that will increase the likelihood of errant throws from Ferguson in a game where the turnover battle will be a major key.
"We need all Tiger fans in the stands and loud on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.," Gilliland continued. "We've earned a home field advantage in the Playoffs and we need it to be just that. We need you all to bring that energy that we can feed off of because you can make a difference in this game."
Kickoff for Saturday's Playoff game between West Alabama and Lenoir-Rhyne is set for 1:00 p.m. CST at Tiger Stadium.
