West Alabama Fall 30-27 in Overtime at Southern Arkansas

MAGNOLIA, Ark. – A 30-yard, Noe Cuevas field goal in overtime snapped the University of West Alabama football teams’ three-game win streak as UWA (6-3, 4-2 Gulf South Conference) fell 30-27 to Southern Arkansas at Wilkins Stadium. The win snapped an eight-game losing streak for SAU (1-7, 1-5 GSC).

UWA took possession of the ball to begin the first overtime, but following a short drive, Brock Sharp’s 39 yard field goal was pushed wide left.

The Tigers totaled 498 yards of total offense in the setback. The Muleriders totaled 291 yards while posting a season-high 27 points in their homecoming victory.

With two-seconds remaining in regulation, the Tigers lined up for a 27 yard field goal attempt, but the snap was mishandled and game-winning attempt fell by the wayside.

The extra session contest marks the second consecutive year the two squads have had to use overtime to settle the outcome. SAU has claimed both outings.

UWA quarterback Deon Williams finished the night with 222 yards through the air along with two touchdowns and an interception. The Tuscaloosa, Ala. native also rushed for 68 yards in the outing.

T-Ray Mitchell rushed for over 100 yards for the fourth time this season as the Selma, Ala. native totaled a career-high 143 yards.

SAU’s Cameron Davis intercepted a 22 yard Williams pass to post the first points of the game.

The Tigers marched 68 yards on 11 plays to score their first points of the game as Randy Lowery hauled in a five yard pass from Williams. The Sharp PAT was blocked – leaving the Red and White down 7-6 with 4:54 remaining in the first quarter. Lowery finished the night with a team-best 99 yards on nine catches.

The duo of Lowery and Williams connected again- this time from 21 yards out - to put UWA in front for the first time in the game. After two straight running plays were bottled up along the goal line, Worsham caught a 20-yard, third down pass – extending the scoring drive.

The Riders answered with an eight-play, 57 yard drive that was capped by a Carlos Brown one-yard run. SAU’s PAT was missed leaving the score knotted at 13-all at the half.

Don Unamba blocked a Tigers’ punt attempt that rolled into the endzone and Trent Stevenson fell on the ball to lift SAU back in front, 20-13, with 9:21 remaining in the third quarter.

UWA evened the score with 29-seconds to play in the third quarter as Vonzell Jackson stripped Brown of the ball and D’Eric Jackson scooped up the ball and raced it 26 yards into the endzone.

Don Smith carried the ball 23 yards across the goal line to place the Tigers back up - capping a 92 yard drive. It marked the second, scoring drive covering 90-plus yards in the game for the Red and White.

The Tiger scoring drive would be answered as Rodney Brown hauled in a 56 yard from Tyler Sykora to force the third tie of the contest.

West Alabama returns to action on Saturday, Nov. 6 as UWA travels to Florence, Ala. to face No. 21 North Alabama. Kickoff at Braly Municipal Stadium is scheduled for 7 p.m.

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