LIVINGSTON, Ala. - The University of West Alabama Football team travels to Valdosta, GA on Friday for a GSC matchup against the Valdosta State Blazers that's set for Saturday at 12:00 p.m. CST.
No. 21 West Alabama (5-2, 0-2 GSC) comes to Valdosta after a 41-38 loss to No. 15 Delta State while Valdosta State (3-4, 0-0 GSC) enters the weekend after a 35-24 win over North Greenville.
Saturday's contest between UWA and VSU will be the first in two years after last season's game was cancelled due to Hurricane Helene.
The Tigers are looking to snap a two-game skid after dropping contests to No. 3 West Florida and No. 15 Delta State by a combined 10 points.
Slow starts have hampered UWA thus far in 2025 as they look to come out of the gates firing on Saturday.
"We finish games really strong but I have to find a way to get guys going in the first half," said head coach Scott Cochran. "Once we settle down, we play really well."
This season, West Alabama is out scoring opponents, 135-91, in the second half. Despite the slow starts, the Tigers are averaging 35.9 points per game which ranks 21st in the league. Quarterback Spencer Arceneaux is up to 2,019 total yards and 22 total touchdowns on the year after a 321 yard and two touchdown performance last weekend against one of the top defensive units in the country in the Statesmen.
Wide Receiver, TD Parker hauled in three catches for 87 yards and a touchdown in that game, making him the new receiving yardage leader amongst the team with 437. Parker has now recorded 85 or more receiving yards in the last four games, but has suffered a shoulder injury that puts his status for Saturday's game in jeopardy. If Parker can't go, Dearrius Nelson could see an uptick in targets while Jaylon York should also receive more snaps. Nelson is the Tigers' receptions leader with 22 while sitting right behind Parker in receiving yards with 435.
On the ground, Brayden Jenkins and Michael Dujon will get the bulk of the carries. Jenkins is the lead back as he's registered 304 yards and six touchdowns on 75 carries. Dujon has broke onto the scene as a true freshman as he leads all running backs in yards per carry with 5.0 a pop.
Defensively, West Alabama's front seven is strong with JT Hooten and Marquis Robinson leading the way. Hooten has quickly turned himself into a top Linebacker in the Region as the sophomore comes into Saturday's game with a league-high 60.0 total tackles. As for Robinson, he's arguably the Tigers' best run stopper up front and carries 34.0 tackles and 3.0 tackles for loss on his ledger.
UWA's defense looks to put together a complete 60-minute game against Valdosta State that has struggled on the offensive side of the ball this year.
Offensively, the Blazers are averaging 25.3 points per game. VSU started redshirt freshman Harris Boyd at Quarterback to begin the season until Boyd threw eight interceptions to just one touchdown through four games, prompting Valdosta State to make a change. Junior Jameson Holcomb will most likely get the start after leading the Blazers to a 35-24 win over North Greenville. Holcomb has recorded 651 passing yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions in five games thus far.
While they've struggled at the Quarterback position, Valdosta State has leaned on their running game as backs Corey Reddick Jr and Eric Watts have combined for 11 touchdowns on the ground. Reddick Jr is the featured back, leading the charge with 350 yards and five touchdowns on 61 carries. For Watts, he's up to up to 335 yards and six touchdowns on 52 carries.
Defensively, the Blazers are allowing 26.3 points per game. VSU's defense is led by Julius Pascal and Rance Conner. Pascal, a 5'10", 184 LB Linebacker, leads the team with 52.0 total tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss. Conner is a 5'11", 190 LB Defensive Back who earned Second Team All-GSC honors in 2024 and is in route for more accolades in 2025. The senior leads VSU with three interceptions while also adding three pass breakups and 22.0 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss.
Saturday's matchup between No. 21 West Alabama and Valdosta State should be a closely contested game with the Tigers looking to get back on track.
Kickoff for Saturday's game is set for 12:00 PM CST in Valdosta, GA.
