WILSON, NC. - The University of West Alabama Football team picked up a 17-7 road win over Barton College on Saturday at Truist Stadium.
West Alabama's (4-1) defense stood out on the day as the Tigers held Barton College (1-4) to 121 yards of total offense and zero offensive points. UWA also held BC to 1-13 on third down to put a stamp on a dominant defensive performance.
Despite a strong defensive effort, West Alabama struggled to find their rhythm offensively while also accumulating 15 penalties for 175 yards.
"We had a good week of practice but we struggled to execute today," said head coach Scott Cochran. "We had a lot of undisciplined penalties and I'm very disappointed in that. I'm grateful for the win but we have to be better."
UWA's offense got off to a fast start as they scored on their opening drive. The Tigers put together a nine-play, 66-yard opening drive, converting third downs with an 11-yard pass from Luther Richesson to Brayden Jenkins before Richesson hit TD Parker for a 30-yard touchdown at the 10:01 mark. Elijah Guyton added the extra point for a 7-0 lead. The Bulldogs' first possession reached midfield before an incomplete pass on third down led to a punt. A possession later, BC put together their best drive of the day. Barton College marched to West Alabama's one-yard line before the Tigers' defense stonewalled the Bulldogs on the goaline. After failing to get into the endzone, BC elected for the field goal and missed on a 23-yarder to keep the score, 7-0 in favor of UWA. The score would remain the same as the game progressed to the second quarter.
To begin the second quarter, West Alabama failed to convert on a third down but moved the chains with a fake punt. Specialist Eoin Walsh picked up 19-yards on a fake punt run to give the Tigers a new set of downs. Moments later, UWA moved into the redzone until their drive ended with a 27-yard missed field goal from Elijah Guyton. After the missed field goal, West Alabama's defense forced another Barton punt. The Tigers looked to extend their lead before the half before a turnover kept the score at 7-0 at the break.Â
The Tigers defense held the Bulldogs to 71 total yards of offense in the first half while UWA's offense accumulated 201 yards.
After West Alabama forced a three-and-out to open the third quarter, Barton College tied the game when Cameron Royal intercepted Richesson and returned it 48 yards for a touchdown, with Will Pacot's extra point making it 7-7. Later in the quarter, UWA's offense responded. Richesson found Madixx Morris for a 63-yard strike that would've been a touchdown before a taunting penalty from Morris took the touchdown off the board. The Tigers couldn't find the endzone after the penalty as a 23-yard field goal from Guyton pushed West Alabama back out in front, 10-7. Late in the third, UWA's defense quickly set up another score when Jalin Herbert sacked Nazir Garrett and Thornton recovered the fumble at the Bulldogs' 11, leading to Richesson's four-yard touchdown pass to Jaylon York at 3:33. The Bulldogs picked up one first down by penalty on their final full possession of the quarter before punting, and West Alabama carried a 17-7 lead into the fourth quarter.
The fourth quarter was much more of the same. Barton struggled to move the ball on West Alabama's defense. BC only averaged 3.3 yards per play in the quarter as UWA went on to win 17-7.
Richesson converted on 18 of his 28 passes for 212 passing yards and two touchdowns. Jenkins led the rushing attack with 78 rushing yards on 16 carries while Morris hauled in three receptions for 91 yards. Parker and York both recorded receiving touchdowns while combining for 66 yards.
West Alabama will return home next Saturday for their homecoming, hosting Chowan for a 4:00 p.m. kickoff.
