LIVINGSTON, Ala. - The University of West Alabama Football team returns to Tiger Stadium on Saturday for a Homecoming matchup against the Chowan Hawks that's set for 4:00 p.m.

West Alabama (4-1) enters the week after defeating Barton College, 17-7, on the road. As for Chowan (2-2), they come to Livingston off of their bye week, but in their last game, shut out Barton College, 34-0. 

These two teams met last season where the Tigers defeated the Hawks, 38-28, on the road. 

Coming into play, West Alabama is averaging 23.2 points and 378.2 yards per game offensively, while holding teams to 18.8 points and 335 yards per game. The Tigers continue to be led by Luther Richesson offensively while Joseph Harper boasters the defense.

Through five games, Richesson has been named the GSC Player of the Week four times. The Quarterback has recorded 1,176 passing yards and 12 touchdowns this season, ranking within the top-12 in the country in both of those categories. Richesson has built chemistry with Wideouts, Madixx Morris, TD Parker, and Jaylon York. Morris, Parker, and York have all eclipsed 200 yards this season, with Morris leading the way with a team-high 260. Parker leads the team in receiving touchdowns with three while York has found the endzone twice along with 205 receiving yards on a team-high 18 catches. 

Defensively, Harper leads a unit that is full of playmakers. Harper has recorded a team-high 28 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, and two forced fumbles through five games. Linebackers Kebian Gilmore and Nate Thomason have also gotten off to great starts as they're combining for 49 total tackles thus far. 

In the secondary, KC Bradford is the leader. Bradford has accumulated 25.0 tackles and continues to be UWA's top run supporting Defensive Back. Legend Doggett, Chrissean Jones, and Issaiah Parrish shine in coverage and will be presented with arguably their stiffest test of the year with Chowan coming to town.

Before their bye week last weekend, Chowan turned in their best performance of the year, shutting out Barton College, 34-0 to move to 2-2 in the year.

The Hawks seem to be a better team that the Tigers played a season ago when UWA handed Chowan a 10-point loss in Murfreesboro, NC. In the offseason, the Hawks went out and signed Quarterback Tyler Adkins who has shined in Chowan's offensive system thus far.

Through four games, Adkins has thrown for 1,224 yards along with seven touchdowns to just two interceptions. The senior is averaging 306 passing yards per game to lead the Hawks' offense. Last time out against Barton, Adkins threw for a career-high 465 yards and two touchdowns as he continues to improve by the week. 

Adkins favorite targets this season has been Amir Alexander, Terrell Jackson, and Desmond Randolph. Alexander leads the team in receiving yards with 448 on 25 catches and two touchdowns. The 6'3" junior Wideout is averaging 112.0 yards per game, leading the Wide Receiver room. Jackson has also been solid, bringing a statline of 16 catches, 220 yards, and one touchdown into play. Randolph broke out in Chowan's win over Barton as the Tight End recorded 10 catches for 181 yards and a touchdown.

Offensively, the Hawks lean heavily on their passing game and for good reason. Adkins and Chowan's Wide Receivers are in sync while the running game has struggled mightily. Coming into Saturday's contest, the Hawks are averaging 2.1 yards per carry.

Defensively, Chowan is allowing 27.5 points and 373.5 yards per game. Before their shutout over Barton, the Hawks were allowing 36.6 points per game but put together a flawless defensive performance against BC to get back on track. 

Darrian Whittaker and Daryl Harris are the leading tacklers as the duo has combined for 57.0 total tackles. Linebacker Greg Lott has lived in the backfield as he's recorded 24.0 tackles, a team-high 4.5 tackles for loss, and a sack through four games. Jerrel Howard and Jimmy Lacy have stood out in coverage as Howard leads the team with six pass breakups and Lacy leads the Hawks with two interceptions.

Saturday's matchup between West Alabama and Chowan will serve as a stiff test for the Tigers' secondary while their offense looks to get back into rhythm against against a Hawks' defense that has given up a good chunk of points and yards.

Kickoff is set for 4:00 p.m. from Tiger Stadium.