LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The University of West Alabama football team prepares to open the 2009 season on Thursday, Aug. 27 at Belhaven College. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at H. T. Newell Field in Jackson, Miss. The game will be aired on FOX Sports, WSLY 104.9-FM and at athletics.uwa.edu.

The lid lifter marks the fifth meeting between the two schools with the series deadlocked at 2-2. Thursday marks the third time the two squads have squared off in Jackson, Miss. The Tigers enter the contest looking for their 29^th season opening win in school history, while the Blazers are 4-7 all-time in season starters. The Red and White have claimed the last two meetings against Belhaven, including a 49-12 win last season in Livingston. The Tigers plastered 35 points on the board in the first 30 minutes to cruise to the 37-point win.

The 2009 edition of the UWA football team was tabbed eighth in the Gulf South Conference Pre-Season Coaches Poll and placed three players on the All-GSC Pre-Season Team, headlined by Terry Allen, who was selected as a kick returner and wide receiver. UWA seniors Jonathan Weinreich and Jason Hawkins also earned pre-season honors. Last season, Allen became the all-time kickoff return leader in school history with 1,400 yards along with leading the Tigers in receiving with 451 yards. Allen was an All-GSC Second Team selection in 2007 along with being named to the Daktronics All-Southeast Region First Team. Weinreich was named as a guard with Hawkins being tabbed at the tight end position. Weinreich, a Pismo Beach, Calif.-product, played in 10 games for the Tigers splitting time at guard and tackle. Weinreich was named All-GSC First Team last season along with being named to the Don Hansen’s All-Super Region 2 Team. Hawkins, a native of Fontana, Calif., finished as the fifth leading receiver in the Tiger offense, hauling in 123 yards on 17 receptions.

Following the season opener at Belhaven, UWA will host Harding on Thursday, Sept. 3 in the Tigers home opener, one of three televised games for the Red and White this season.