UWF Football Drops First Road Game of the Season

October 29, 2017

No. 23 West Alabama used a tough ground attack and intercepted West Florida twice in the fourth quarter to pull away for a 35-18 win at Tiger Stadium Saturday.

UWF (5-3, 3-3 Gulf South) penetrated deep into UWA territory seven times but scored just one touchdown and four field goals while ending with 371 yards of total offense. The Argonauts totaled 100 yards on the ground with Leroy Wilson rushing for 64 on seven carries, including a 31-yarder in the third quarter.

Mike Beaudry finished with 271 yards passing on 27-of-51 with a touchdown and two interceptions. Antoine Griffin had eight receptions for 90 yards and Rodney Coates finished with 70 yards on four balls.

For the third time this season, Austin Williams tied his school record with four field goals. He now leads the GSC with 16 on the year.

UWA (7-2, 6-1) accumulated 410 yards of offense, with 220 on the ground. Lakendric Thomas had 106 yards on 18 carries, with a 26-yard touchdown run that came immediately following a Beaudry interception early in the fourth quarter.

Harry Satterwhite was 19-for-28 for 190 yards and three touchdowns, while also running six times for 24 yards.

After a scoreless first quarter, UWA got on the board first when Satterwhite converted a soft floater on third-and-goal to Donta Hightower from the 9-yard line for a 7-0 lead. UWF drew to within one with field goals of 22 and 39 yards from Austin Williams.

The Tigers extended their lead to 14-6 when Satterwhite connected with Tra Fletcher for a 15-yard scoring play with 54 seconds left in the half. Beaudry worked the hurry-up offense to perfection, marching the Argos 39 yards to the UWA 22 where Williams ended the period with a 39-yard field goal as time expired, pulling the visitors to within 14-9.

UWF got a fourth field goal from Williams – this one from 25 yards – late in the third for a 14-12 deficit.

UWA answered with scores on its next two possessions. The first was a Satterwhite to Corey Davis pass from five yards and the other was the Thomas 26-yarder that stretched their lead to 28-12 with just over 12 minutes to play.

Beaudry led the Argos down the field for their only touchdown of the contest, capping a 10-play, 56-yard drive with an 8-yard pass to Caleb Robinson. The Argos trailed 28-18 after the 2-point conversion attempt was no good.

Following an on-side kick attempt by the Argos that was recovered by the Tigers, the home squad needed just eight plays to score on the short field and provide the final margin. UWA converted a fourth-and-one and third-and-eight on the drive.

Josh Smiley was credited with 11 tackles and a pass break-up to lead the UWF defense.

The loss was the first on the road for the Argos, who moved to 3-1 away from Pensacola in 2017.

UWF will return to action next Saturday when it plays host to North Alabama (4-4, 4-2).

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News, Sports, TOP sports