Argos Head To Regional Final With 17-14 Win At West Georgia

November 26, 2017

The UWF defense has been getting better and better over the last three weeks but turned in one of the gutsiest performances in program history Saturday as the sixth-seeded Argonauts defeated seventh-seeded West Georgia, 17-14, at University Stadium to advance to the NCAA Division II Championship Super Regional 2 finals.

UWF (9-3) held West Georgia to a season-low 244 yards of total offense, including just 117 on the ground in defeating the Wolves at home for the second time in 14 days. The Argos had four sacks, forced three fumbles and Marvin Conley picked off Willie Candler to ice the game with one second remaining.

The Argos finished with 337 yards as Mike Beaudry threw for 194 yards on 19-of-33 with a touchdown. He also had four interceptions, including three in the first quarter. Fortunately, the defense held the Wolves to just 17 combined yards on their three ensuing possessions.

Johnathan Coleman had three sacks and eight tackles up front for the Argonauts. Asante Griffin led the team with nine stops. Andre Duncombe forced a fumble and made five tackles as well.

The Argonauts went ahead 7-0 before the half, marching 72 yards on eight plays when Beaudry completed 6-of-6 passes for 66 yards. He capped the drive on a 3-yard pitch-and-catch to a wide open Tate Lehtio with 13 seconds left.

UWG came out of the locker room with back-to-back scores, opening the third quarter with a 73-yard kickoff return to set up a Candler scoring run from a yard out. Following a Beaudry interception, the Wolves needed just four plays to grab a 14-7 lead on a Travis Custis 3-yard scamper.

UWF produced its second long scoring drive at the beginning of the fourth, going 86 yards for game-tying 5-yard run by Leroy Wilson. The drive started with a 46-yard double pass from Antoine Griffin to Carlos Duclos that put the Argonauts in UWG territory. From there, Beaudry connected with Ka’Ron Ashley and Lehtio for 33 yards to setup the team’s first rushing touchdown in five games.

Following a defensive stop on the ensuing possession, UWF got a solid punt return from Griffin that gave the Argos the ball at their own 31. The drive stalled at the West Georgia 24 but Austin Williams connected on a 41-yard field goal to put the visitors back ahead 17-14. The kick – Williams’ 23rd of the year – tied the Gulf South Conference single-season record for field goals made.

From there, the defense locked in, holding the Wolves to a 3-and-out after a penalty, and getting the INT on UWG’s last offensive play. The Argos limited the Wolves to seven yards and Candler to 1-of-5 for 10 yards on the final two drives.

Candler ended the day 15-of-30 for 127 yards, while Gulf South Conference Offensive Player of the Year Devontae Jackson rushed for just 62 yards. This, along with his 80-yard effort two weeks ago, were his two of his six lowest games of the season.

UWF will be on the road once again – a place it is 6-1 on the season – and face top seed and 17th-ranked West Alabama (10-2) next Saturday, Dec. 2. Kickoff at Tiger Stadium in Livingston, Alabama is set for Noon.

Comments

3 Responses to “Argos Head To Regional Final With 17-14 Win At West Georgia”

  1. Marty Mart on November 26th, 2017 12:01 pm

    Excellent defense! I was disappointed to see the gross unsportsmanlike behavior at the end of the game by the UWG team and coaching staff! Shame on you, guys!

  2. Another92Grad on November 26th, 2017 11:00 am

    Having attended both schools, I’m torn between the two. But as Livingston (UWA) never won a single game during my time there and I graduated from UWF, I’ll have to say GO ARGOs.

  3. 92 Grad on November 26th, 2017 10:05 am

    Outstanding job Argos and good luck next week!!

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