LIVINGSTON – Fresh off of a 34-12 win over Concordia, the University of West Alabama football team hopes to start the season 2-0 for the first time since 2002 when perennial NAIA power Lambuth comes to Livingston on Thursday for a 7:00 p.m., kickoff. Lambuth appeared in the preseason NAIA national poll at number-15.

“Lambuth will certainly be a challenge for us,” said UWA Head Coach Sam McCorkle. “I am very familiar with Coach Wallace and his staff, and there is certainly a reason they have been so successful. During his time at Lambuth, they have consistently made the playoffs and built a winning tradition.”

The Tigers got off to a good start versus Concordia, when James Reiter connected with Chris Coach for a 40-yard strike on UWA’s first offensive play from scrimmage. Reiter would score three plays later to put the Tigers up 7-0. West Alabama would never look back on its way to victory.

Thursday’s game will mark the opener of the 2005 season for Lambuth. The Eagles turned in a 6-4 record in 2004, complete with a 35-7 win over a very tough Cumberland team to close the season.

The UWA offense posted 416 yards of total offense (175 rushing, 241 passing) in the opener. Reiter led the way, throwing for 219 yards on 4-of-8 passing to go along with 35 yards rushing and four touchdowns (two rushing, two passing). Coach finished the opener with three catches for 141 yards and one score, while junior Jerin Wright paced the Tiger ground attack with 60 yards on 11 carries.

A stingy UWA defense limited the talented Hornet offense to just 288 yards of total offense, while also posting a lofty seven quarterback sacks, 11 tackles for a loss and two interceptions.

Junior linebacker Lewis Thompson led the way, totaling 10 tackles, including six solos, one sack and one forced fumble. Tradexter Hamilton added eight tackles and one sack, while Demarcus Thornton and Richard Bevill had one interception apiece.

“We must improve a great deal from our first game if we expect to be successful this Thursday,” closed McCorkle. “I am looking forward to a competitive, tough, hard-fought but clean series with Lambuth over the next four years.”

The Tigers and Eagles are set to kickoff at 7:00 p.m., in Tiger Stadium on Thursday night. All of the exciting action can be heard on WZNJ FM-106.5 (Demopolis) and WZKR FM-103.3 (Meridian). Live stats will also be available on the UWA athletic website at athletics.uwa.edu.