[September 19, 2008]

By: Houston Taylor

LIVINGSTON, Ala. – Mitch Warfield booted a 33-yard field goal in double overtime to push West Alabama past Southern Arkansas, 17-14, Thursday at Tiger Stadium in the Gulf South Conference TV game of the week.

The Muleriders (0-3, 0-1 GSC) played their hearts out, jumping out to a 14-0 halftime lead before the Tigers (2-2, 1-1 GSC) knotted it to end regulation and then scored their 17th unanswered point to claim the win. SAU’s Noe΄ Cuevas missed 35 and 37-yard field goals in the two extended periods before Warfield kicked the game-winner.

Southern Arkansas got on the board in the first quarter following a 13-play, 53-yard drive that consumed 6:44 when Raphyael Tyson rushed in from a yard out at 6:36. Cuevas’ PAT made it 7-0.

Tyson gave himself the opportunity to score after recovering an intercepted fumble as the Muleriders had taken the opening kickoff, and on their third play quarterback Quintin Porter’s pass was picked off by UWA’s Octavious Sumbr, who promptly bobbled the ball with Tyson falling on it.

SAU came right back and forced another turnover on West Alabama’s next possession as linebacker Ben Williams’ hit on quarterback Derek Thomas jarred the ball loose and defensive end Ryan Terry scooped the ball up and rambled 60 yards for his first collegiate touchdown, scoring with 3:04 left in the first. Cuevas’ kick staked Southern Arkansas to its 14-0 advantage which held through the first half of play.

Both teams had opportunities in the second quarter, but turnovers on each side ended any threat. The Muleriders reached the Tigers’ 25 where quarterback Ryan McCombie fumbled it away and UWA gave away a chance at the SAU 24 when Thomas’ pass was picked off by Southern Arkansas cornerback Roland Perkins.

West Alabama took the second half kickoff and went 69 yards in 15 plays, getting on the board on Thomas’ 12-yard pass to Terry Levy at 7:55. They then evened it on Thomas’ four-yard throw to Cole Mason at 8:35 in the fourth.

The Tigers had first possession in the first overtime, but on the second play, Perkins got his second pick of the game at the one-yard line to give the Muleriders their turn. SAU moved the ball to the 18 and on fourth and three, Cuevas’ 35-yarder was wide left.

In the second OT, Southern Arkansas went nowhere on three consecutive plays and Cuevas was left again on the 37-yard attempt. UWA took advantage this time and was aided by a questionable costly personal foul penalty on a hit out of bounds that moved them to the 13 yard line. After Dameon Baylor gained three yards on the ground, West Alabama was thrown for a loss of six yards on the next two plays by the Mulerider defense setting up Warfield’s 33-yard winner.

SAU limited the Tigers to just 144 yards of total offense, including a stingy 37 yards on the ground. Southern Arkansas put up only 227 yards itself, with penalties and turnovers contributing to the output. The game was raggedy at times as both teams combined for 18 flags for 169 yards, with the Muleriders having 11 for 108. Both teams also combined to put the ball on the ground 10 times, including seven for SAU, but each team lost only two apiece. Southern Arkansas threw one interception, while UWA tossed three.

With last week’s home game against Valdosta State being postponed because of Hurricane Ike conditions, the Muleriders trip to West Alabama saw them opening a season with three straight road games for only the sixth time in history, the last in 1965. SAU finally gets to play at home next Saturday (September 27) as they host Henderson State at 7 p.m. Family Day activities will take place that weekend, while the Hall of Fame activities originally scheduled that day will now take place on October 25 during the Delta State game.

Photos by Dusty Compton (Tuscaloosa News)