UWA blasts College of Faith 73-6
West Alabama scored early and often, while recording 17 tackles for loss, on the way to a 73-6 win over the College of Faith Saturday at Tiger Stadium.
The win improves UWA, who had 13 different players record a tackle for loss, to 5-2 heading into next week’s Homecoming game against Shorter. College of Faith dropped to 0-3.
West Alabama rolled up 439 total yards while holding College of Faith to just 84. Four Tiger quarterbacks completed 11-of-14 passes for 195 yards and seven ball carriers ran for 244.
UWA’s 73 points is the most scored by the Tigers since a 65-0 season opening win in 2006 and was just seven short of the school record of 80 set by the 1968 team against Centenary.
“I thought we executed well,” UWA head coach Will Hall said. “I thought we got better in the passing game and looked sharp. I believe we are ready for the home stretch. I would like to see us get on a roll and I think we are going to.
“It was great to see Jeremy McAdams running and throwing for a touchdown,” Hall said. “It was also great to see Brandon Rivers kick some extra points. A lot of guys who work their butt off through the year got to do some things tonight to forever have them in the record books and that’s a good thing.”
The Tigers scored eight touchdowns and forced two safeties in the first half, taking a 59-0 advantage to the locker room. Two more touchdowns in the second half left the Tigers two short of the school and GSC record of 12.
West Alabama touchdowns in the first half came on a 55-yard run by Gary Johnston on the first play from scrimmage to kick-start the rout. Danny Hobbs scored on runs of 1 and 55 yards, McAdams scored from 3 yards out and Dakota Daniel from 1 yard. Quan Fletcher returned an interception 75 yards for the final West Alabama touchdown in the first half.
“When you sit on the sidelines you get eager to get out there,” said Daniel, who got his first start at UWA. “It feels good to be on the field, and playing a game like this helps your confidence and helps you get ready for the rest of the season.”
Johnston and Reggie Hall connected on a 9-yard touchdown pass, while Kyle Caldwell and Tyler O’Neal hooked up on a 31-yard scoring toss to round out UWA scoring in the first half. The Tigers had 346 total yards after two quarters while limiting COF to just 15.
Tiger freshman Javae Swindle scored the lone third quarter touchdown on a 17-yard run to make it 66-0 after three. McAdams and Arthur Brackett closed out West Alabama scoring with an 18-yard touchdown pass with 59 seconds to play.
“The offensive line blocked great and the running backs were making plays,” McAdams said. “We enjoyed being out there and playing the game.”
Xavier Jones scored the Mighty Believer Wildcats lone touchdown on a 3-yard run with 4:00 left to play. The try for two was no good. Jones finished with 65 yards on 14 carries and completed 6-of-17 passes for 29 yards. Terrance Harrol had five tackles for the Might Believer Wildcats.
Johnston led West Alabama rushers with 80 yards on two carries. He also completed 5-of-5 passes for 88 yards. Swindle and Hobbs ran for 57 and 56 yards, respectively.
Brandon Lilly was credited with five tackles for UWA, followed by Mario Gainer, J.B. Acklin and Darion Gabriel with four each. Ridge Wilson had two sacks and two tackles for loss despite not playing after the first quarter.