LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The University of West Alabama football team prepares for its first Gulf South Conference road game of the 2009 season as UWA (3-0, 1-0 GSC) treks to Magnolia, Ark. to face Southern Arkansas in the GSC Game of the Week on Thursday, Sept. 17. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. The game will be broadcasted on FOX Sports, WSLY 104.9 FM and at athletics.uwa.edu and televised on Comcast Sports Southeast.

This is the 26th meeting in the series between West Alabama and Southern Arkansas (0-2, 0-1 GSC). The Muleriders lead the series 13-12 after UWA claimed a 17-14 double overtime win last season in Livingston. Tonight marks the 11th time in series history that the two have squared off in Magnolia. SAU has claimed the last four meetings at Wilkins Field.

UWA enters the contest riding a three-game win streak after holding off Arkansas Tech 35-30 in the GSC Game of the Week on Sept. 10. The Tigers are averaging 38.3 points per outing while holding opponents to 17.3 for the season. The Red and White are tied for second in the GSC in scoring offense and are fourth in scoring defense. The Tigers pass and rush offense are both ranked fourth in the GSC while the team is second in total defense and tied for first in red zone offense. The Tiger rush defense is third and the red zone D is second. UWA looks for its first conference road win since Oct. 28, 2006 … a 37-14 victory at the University of Arkansas at Monticello.

SAU enters looking to pick up its first victory of the season. The Muleriders last win came in a 23-16 victory at UAM on Nov. 8, 2008. SAU has pulled together a combined 16 points in its first two affairs this season vs. North Alabama and at Valdosta State. The Riders are last in scoring offense in the GSC and ninth in scoring defense entering the GSC Game of the Week.

Following the final Thursday night contest of the regular season in Magnolia, West Alabama returns to the road as UWA travels to Valdosta State on Saturday, Sept. 26. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. CST. The game will be broadcasted on FOX Sports, WSLY 104.9 FM and at athletics.uwa.edu.