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LIVINGSTON, Ala. –
The University of West Alabama football team returns to
Gulf South Conference action on Saturday, as the Tigers
(1-5, 0-4 GSC) host 13th-ranked Valdosta
State in a 7:00 p.m. kickoff at Tiger Stadium.
West Alabama and Valdosta State (5-1, 3-1 GSC) will meet
for the 26th time in the series that has run
consecutively since 1982. VSU holds the all-time series
lead at 24-1. The series is the second longest, current
consecutive running series in school history behind
North Alabama.
The Blazers took the initial series meeting in a narrow
22-21 victory over the Tigers in Valdosta. VSU claimed
the following two outings as well to lead the series
3-0. West Alabama grabbed its first and only win in the
series in 1985. The Tigers picked up a 10-5 victory in
Livingston to pull the series to 3-1. Since 1985, the
Blazers have claimed 21 straight meetings, including
halting the Tigers comeback effort last season in
Valdosta in which UWA fell 16-14.
Both UWA and VSU enter the contest coming off setbacks a
week ago. The Tigers fell in a 30-28 heartbreaker at
West Georgia, as the Blazers fell 35-31 at home to
nationally ranked Delta State.
Cole Mason continues to lead the Tiger offense,
averaging just under 100-yards per game on the ground.
UWA ranks second in the conference in rushing offense,
behind the Parrish, Ala.-native, with 224.8 yards per
contest.
The Blazers are led by quarterback-wide receiver duo
Willie Copeland and Cedric Jones. Copeland ranks second
in the conference in passing with 239.7 yards per game,
as Jones averages 87 yards per outing, which stands
second in the GSC.
The
West Alabama, Valdosta State kickoff is slated for 7:00
p.m. The game will be carried on WSLY
Radio, Gospel Hits Y-104.9 FM and also on
athletics.uwa.edu. |
