MonticelloLive

The University of Arkansas at Monticello Boll Weevils (3-5, 2-3 GSC) will look for their second consecutive win and fourth win of the 2007 season as they travel to Livingston, Ala. to face the University of West Alabama Tigers in the Gulf South Conference TV Game of the Week.

The Weevils will enter the game with momentum on their side, as the Weevils fought through a slugfest against West Georgia, coming away with a 35-32 overtime win while West Alabama suffered a 37-0 shutout loss to tenth-ranked Valdosta State on Saturday.

Mathews does not hold back when describing the importance of last week’s game.

“I told everyone before we got on the bus that the West Georgia game was the biggest game of my coaching career,” said Mathews. “Our kids had a number of chances to throw in the towel, but they didn’t. We thoroughly controlled the game offensively, and I think we were in control defensively.”

Thursday’s game, the 20th meeting between UAM and West Alabama in a series dating back to the 1962 season will give the Weevils a chance to pad their narrow all-time series advantage; as the Weevils hold a 10-9 all-time advantage in the series.

West Alabama will present a different set of challenges than the pass-oriented West Georgia team, as the Tigers prefer to gain their yardage by grinding it out on the ground using an option attack.

The Boll Weevils know that the Tigers’ 1-6 record entering this week’s game is deceptive; after losing a two-point decision to Division I Samford in their opening game, UWA evened their record at 1-1 with a win over Concordia College in week two. Since then, the Tigers have lost five straight; but played Harding and West Georgia closely; falling 36-35 to the Bisons and 30-28 to the Wolves.

The Tigers’ offense averages 313.6 yards per game, and is led by running back Cole Mason, who averages 89.1 yards per game and has picked up 624 yards on the ground this season with eight touchdowns. Whenever Mason touches the ball, the Tiger offense moves forward, as he has only been dropped behind the line of scrimmage once for a loss of two yards. Mason currently ranks fourth in the Gulf South Conference in rushing average. 

Kickoff from Tiger Stadium in Livingston is set for 7 p.m. The game will be televised on Cox Sports/CSS, broadcast live online at www.uamsports.com.