LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The University of West Alabama football team opens GSC play this weekend when it travels to Cleveland, Mississippi, for a 4 p.m. CST matchup against rival Delta State.
No. 25 West Alabama (5-2) enters Saturday's conference opener following a loss to Division I opponent West Florida. Delta State (3-3), meanwhile, heads into the matchup riding a three-game winning streak, with victories over Mississippi Valley State, Shorter, and Ferrum.
The Tigers return to Division II and GSC competition Saturday against the Statesmen. Through seven games, UWA is averaging 21.1 points and 319.4 yards per game while allowing 22.4 points and 365.0 yards per contest.
West Alabama's defense continues to shine, forcing two more turnovers against West Florida last weekend to bring its season total to 18, which ranks fifth nationally.
Defensive backs Issaiah Parrish, Legend Doggett, and Chrissean Jones have been key contributors in the secondary. Parrish recorded his second interception of the season against the Argos and leads the team with seven pass breakups, while Doggett and Jones have consistently challenged opposing receivers throughout the season.
At linebacker, Joseph Harper leads the way for the Tigers. He paces the team with 41.0 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. Harper has been a key presence against the run and continues to anchor an aggressive West Alabama defense.
Kebian Gilmore and Nate Thomason have also been strong contributors at linebacker, combining for 66.0 tackles. Gilmore has made an impact in coverage as well, tying for the team lead with two interceptions while adding one forced fumble.
With Harper, Gilmore, and Thomason in the middle of the defense, alongside defensive linemen Martavous Milan and Ayden Gibson up front, West Alabama will look to contain Delta State's rushing attack.
Offensively, quarterback Luther Richesson leads the Tigers with 14 total touchdowns. Although Richesson and the UWA offense faced challenges against West Florida's elite defense last weekend, the Tigers remain capable of producing points. Through seven games, Richesson has totaled 1,526 yards and developed chemistry with his top three receiving targets: TD Parker, Jaylon York, and Madixx Morris. The trio has combined for 749 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.
Brayden Jenkins, Michael Dujon, and Contravious Blanks lead a West Alabama rushing attack that will look to establish its rhythm against the Statesmen on Saturday.
Scouting Delta State
It has been a tale of two seasons for Delta State in 2026. The Statesmen opened the campaign with three consecutive losses by a combined 124 points but have since turned things around, winning their last three contests against Mississippi Valley State, Shorter, and Ferrum.
A significant factor in Delta State's resurgence has been its defensive improvement. Through the first three games, the Statesmen allowed an average of 49.0 points and 537.0 yards per contest. Over their last three games, they have been a different unit, limiting opponents to just 4.3 points and 253.6 yards per game.
Tavian Moore, Alonzo Jackson II, and Jordan Bradley have been key contributors on the defensive side of the ball for DSU. Moore, a 5-foot-11 defensive back, leads the team with 47.0 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, and three pass breakups. Jackson leads the Statesmen's linebackers with 46.0 tackles and three quarterback hurries, while Bradley has been a standout in the secondary. The 6'0" defensive back leads Delta State with two interceptions and has added five pass breakups and 31.0 tackles.
Offensively, the Statesmen have struggled to find consistency. Delta State is averaging 15.1 points per game, ranking 143rd nationally, and 216.7 yards per contest, ranking 155th. Quarterback play has been a challenge this season, but redshirt freshman Emile Picarella is expected to start against the Tigers on Saturday.
Picarella has completed 67 of 123 passes for 627 yards, six touchdowns, and seven interceptions. The strength of the Statesmen's offense lies in the running game, led by former All-GSC running back Nick Clark. Clark leads the team with 322 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Last season, he rushed for 101 yards against West Alabama. On Saturday, Milan, Harper, Gilmore, and the rest of the Tiger defense will look to limit his production and close off running lanes.
Kickoff for Saturday's matchup between West Alabama and Delta State is set for 4:00 p.m. CST at Parker Field at McCool Stadium in Cleveland, Mississippi.
