CLEVELAND, Miss. – The University of West Alabama’s upset bid falls short, as the Tigers (3-4, 1-3 GSC) drop a 21-14 football decision at #7 Delta State on Saturday, Oct. 11. UWA put up 249 total yards in the contest, out gaining the Statesmen (5-1, 4-0 GSC) in the contest.

The Red and White pulled within a touchdown, as Michael Townsend gathered in his second TD catch of the game from Derek Thomas with 10:44 remaining in the contest. The score capped a nine play, 77 yard drive for the Tigers.

Townsend finished with 111 yards on the day; a career-high for the junior from Forest, Miss. Thomas also posted a career day, in his fourth career start. The Oxford, Ala.-native threw for 231 yards, including the two scores.

The Tiger defense, which held DSU to 108 yards in the first half, was led by DeAntuan Matthews with 11 tackles, including 2.5 for a loss.

DSU posted the first points of the game on a blocked punt and return by Rafael Mitchell with just under three minutes to play in the first quarter. The Statesmen added two touchdowns in the second quarter behind a one yard run by Ben Stallings and a 19 yard scamper by Dedrick Wilson.

UWA posted its first score of the game in the third quarter, as Michael Townsend hauled in a 31 yard pass from Derek Thomas. The score capped a five play, 60 yard drive.