TIGERVILLE, S.C. — The University of West Alabama Football team (5-0) maintained its unbeaten record with a 52-44 victory over North Greenville University (1-3) at Younts Stadium on Saturday.
West Alabama's offense caught fire in the second quarter, scoring 28 of their 52 points to secure their fifth consecutive win despite a late rally by NGU, who scored 27 points in the fourth quarter.
"This was a total war and it took everything we had," said head coach Scott Cochran. "It wasn't pretty, but we're coming home with a win."
The game began with West Alabama failing to move the ball on their first two possessions while North Greenville's Dylan Ramirez ended the Trailblazers first drive off with a touchdown run to put the Tigers behind 7-0. The score would remain the same as the game progressed to the second quarter.
UWA seized momentum early in the second quarter with a decisive scoring drive, as Brayden Jenkins rushed for a two-yard touchdown, leveling the score at 7-7 following Elijah Guyton's successful extra point. NGU briefly recaptured the lead, but Arceneaux's dynamic 21-yard rushing touchdown quickly evened the score at 14-14. West Alabama's defense then held firm, setting up another possession.
Building on that momentum, West Alabama's offense capitalized with a quick strike from Arceneaux to Dearrius Nelson for a 32-yard touchdown pass, pushing the score to 21-14. Dominating the closing minutes of the half, Arceneaux again connected with Nelson on a 37-yard touchdown pass to extend the lead to 28-14 as the two teams went into the locker room at halftime.
The third quarter began with the Tigers' defense holding the Trailblazers to minimal gains, highlighted by Michael McGregor and Exavier McDowell's tackle for loss. After forcing a punt, West Alabama capitalized on their possession with Jenkins leading a productive drive. His 10-yard touchdown run extended West Alabama's lead to 35-14.
North Greenville managed to respond with a field goal, narrowing the score to 35-17. West Alabama maintained control of the game to close the third quarter, taking an 18-point lead into the final quarter.
West Alabama started the fourth quarter with the Trailblazers on the verge of scoring. NGU quickly capitalized with a Ramirez touchdown pass to Aiden Brantley, trimming West Alabama's lead. However, UWA answered decisively with Arceneaux connecting on a 69-yard touchdown pass to TD Parker, extending the lead to 42-30.
North Greenville punched right back with another touchdown, but the Tigers countered with a 72-yard touchdown pass from Arceneaux to Nelson, maintaining a 49-37 advantage. Later, Guyton added a field goal, pushing the lead to 52-37.
With less than a minute to go, North Greenville managed a late touchdown, narrowing the gap to 52-44, but a failed onside kick attempt sealed the game for UWA.
Nelson led West Alabama with three touchdown receptions, amassing 141 receiving yards on three catches. Arceneaux added five more touchdowns to his season total with four coming through the air and one on the ground while accumulating 300 total yards. On the ground, Jenkins carried the ball 21 times for 71 yards and scored two touchdowns. McGregor anchored the defense with a team-high 12 tackles while Issac Williams caught an interception in his return.
West Alabama will now return back home with their perfect 5-0 record in tact.
