LIVINGSTON, Ala. — The University of West Alabama Football team fell to the Northeastern State Riverhawks in the season finale at Tiger Stadium on Saturday, presented by Prystup Packaging Products.

Turnovers and second half penalties hurt West Alabama (5-4, 0-3 GSC) on Saturday as the Tigers turned the ball over four times and accumulated 15 penalties for 132 yards, leading to their 33-20 defeat to Northeastern State (8-3).

The game began with Northeastern State turning the ball over on downs after attempting a fake punt on 4th & 18. The Riverhawks struck first on their next drive as Ramon McKinney Jr. broke free for a 69-yard touchdown run. West Alabama attempted to respond, reaching the NSU 16-yard line on the ensuing drive before Spencer Arceneaux's pass was intercepted by NSU's Sim Kilpatrick, ending the drive.

In the second quarter, Tyler Smith put the Tigers on the board with a three-yard touchdown run for West Alabama, tying the score at 7-7. Northeastern State moved the ball into UWA territory on their next possession until their drive stalled and their kicker Troy Nguyen missed a 43-yard field goal, keeping the score knotted at seven. Later, Arceneaux gave West Alabama their first lead of the day with an eight-yard rushing touchdown. With just 47 seconds left in the half, Elijah Guyton nailed a career-long 51-yard field goal to increase the lead to 17-7 before a late drive from NSU resulted in a 44-yard field goal, making it a 10-point game at the half. 

To begin the third quarter, West Alabama's offense went three-and-out which led to the Riverhawks leveling the score at 17–17 with a 1-yard touchdown run by Ethan Washington. UWA quickly regained the lead with Elijah Guyton's 27-yard field goal, making it 20–17 with 10:01 on the clock in the third. With 6:14 left in the quarter, Jamari Jemison registered a sack fumble on Donnie Smith which was recovered by Anthony Oatis. The Tigers couldn't turn the turnover into points as they took their 20-17 lead into the fourth.

In the fourth quarter, turnovers and penalties crushed UWA. Arceneaux threw two interceptions, with one being returned for a touchdown while the Tigers as a team reached 15 total penalties in the game in the fourth quarter. While the Riverhawks' Lloyd McIntosh registered the pick-six, Troy Nguyen nailed three Field Goals, bringing us to a 33-20 final in the season finale. 

Arceneaux completed 22 of 37 passes for 226 yards and added 71 rushing yards with a touchdown on 10 carries. Tyler Smith contributed with 61 rushing yards on 19 attempts, scoring one touchdown. On defense, Jamari Jemison led with eight tackles, one sack, and a forced fumble. Guyton converted both field goal attempts, including a long of 51 yards, and made two extra points.

West Alabama ends the 2025 season with a 5-4 overall record.