LIVINGSTON, Ala. — The University of West Alabama defeated Pittsburg State 24-23 on Saturday in their home opener.
UWA's (3-0) electric defense forced five turnovers, with three interceptions and two fumble recoveries in their one-point win over Pittsburg State (0-3).
"This was a full out war," said head coach Scott Cochran. "The defense had to step up so many times that I lost count and towards the end, it was so fun to look into the defense's eyes and see that there was zero doubt."
The Gorillas opened up the scoring with a 32-yard field goal after completions of 31 and 21 yards through the air. After a West Alabama punt and a Gorillas series that ended with Nate Thomason's tackle for loss and a third-down incompletion, West Alabama took over at its 21 at 4:22 and put together a six-play, 79-yard drive. Brayden Jenkins' 23-yard run and Contravious Blanks' six-yard pickup moved the chains before Luther Richesson hit TD Parker for a 44-yard touchdown at the 1:55 mark of the first. Richesson and Parker's Touchdown connection highlighted the period as the Tigers went into the second quarter, up 7-3.
Pittsburg State struck first in the second quarter with a 37-yard field goal, cutting UWA's lead to 7-6. West Alabama's offense went three-and-out on their next drive before Jacobi Green intercepted PSU's Bobby Bacon to give the ball back to the Tigers' offense. UWA turned the takeaway into points with an eight-play drive, including Blanks' 11-yard run and Richesson's eight-yard completion to Parker on third down, before Walsh made a 46-yard field goal to extend the lead to 10-6 at the half.
The Gorillas opened the third quarter with a 73-yard scoring drive. Bacon connected with TJ Starks for a 38-yard completion before Damien Long II caught a 10-yard touchdown for Pittsburg State. Austin Schmitt's extra point put UWA behind, 13-10. The teams proceeded to trade punts, bringing West Alabama's offense back into the field. Richesson led a solid 10-play, 50-yard drive, but the drive ended in a 43-yard missed field goal. Both defenses held strong for the remainder of the quarter as the game progressed to the fourth with West Alabama trailing, 13-10.
In the fourth quarter, Jamil Peterson intercepted PSU's Bacon at 14:54. West Alabama took full advantage of the turnover as Richesson found Griffin McLean for a 26-yard touchdown to put the Tigers back out in front, 17-13. The Gorillas responded with Bacon's 55-yard touchdown pass to Greyson Holbert to move back out in front 20-17. Moments later, Pittsburg State's Quintin Kirby intercepted Richesson with 11:14 left in the game. After the interception, the Gorillas tacked on a field goal, putting UWA in a 23-17 hole with 9:24 remaining.
The Tigers began their next drive from their own 25. Richesson put together a surgical drive, with completions to Cam Joseph, Jaylon York, and Madixx Morris before finding Parker for a 23-yard touchdown strike to retake the lead at 24-23 with 6:45 left to play. Now leading by one, the Tigers' defense closed the show. The defense closed it out with three late takeaways: Harper forced and recovered a Syre Padilla fumble at the West Alabama 18 at 2:52, Issaiah Parrish forced a Holbert fumble that KC Bradford recovered at the Gorillas' 49 at 2:21, and Kebian Gilmore intercepted Bacon at the Gorillas' 31 on the final play to seal the 24-23 win.
"Our gameplan mentally was to play five seconds a play and just attack," Cochran continued. "Do your job and worry about what you can control for five seconds a play and full on attack. A relentless attack that someone on the other side can't handle anymore."
Richesson completed 22 of 32 passes for 262 yards and three touchdowns and added 37 rushing yards. Parker caught five passes for 94 yards and two touchdowns. Bradford finished with eight tackles and a fumble recovery. Kebian Gilmore recorded six tackles, one forced fumble and one interception.
West Alabama will remain at home next Saturday for a 6:00 p.m. matchup against North Greenville.
