LIVINGSTON, Ala. -- The University of West Alabama rallied from a six-point deficit in the fourth quarter to claim a 24-23 victory over No. 25 Pittsburg State University Saturday (Sept. 12) at Tiger Stadium.
The Gorillas took a 20-17 lead on quarterback
Bobby Bacon's 55-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver
Greyson Holbert with 12:38 to play in the game, and Pitt State converted a takeaway into a 35-yard field goal from
Austin Schmitt three minutes later to extend its lead to six points.
UWA, which improved to 3-0 on the season, marched the ball 75 yards in six plays to rally back in front on quarterback Luther RIchesson's 25-yard touchdown strike to wide receiver T.D. Parker, the duo's second scoring connection of the game.
The Gorillas countered by driving deep into UWA territory but running back
Syre Padilla had the ball stripped loose at the UWA 18 yard line to halt a potential go-ahead scoring opportunity with 2:52 remaining in the game.
The Pitt State defense forced a quick three-and-out, giving the ball to the Gorillas offense at the PSU 36. Bacon then connected with Holbert on a 13-yard pass play, but UWA's Isaaiah Parrish dislodged the ball and teammate K.C. Bradford recovered it for the Tigers' fourth of five eventual takeaways in the contest.
Bacon completed 10 of 22 passes for 195 yards and two touchdowns in his Pitt State debut under center. Freshman
Billy Middleton III also was 2-for-5 for 19 yards passing in his first collegiate action. Middleton added eight carries for a team-leading 50 rushing yards, while Padilla rushed 12 times for 27 yards.
T.J. Starks had five catches for a team-leading 87 yards and Holbert made two receptions for 68 yards.
Safeties
Jasper Ogburn and
Quintin Kirby combined for 18 tackles in the game. Ogburn logged a career-best 10 stops, while Kirby made eight tackles and returned an interception 30 yards to set up a Pitt State scoring drive. Defensive end
Kiros Martin added seven tackles, including a qb sack and 1.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage.
The Gorillas, who slipped to 0-3 on the season, will travel to Hays, Kan., next Saturday (Sept. 19) to battle MIAA rival Fort Hays State University.
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