Key Takeaways From Choctaw Loss at West Alabama
Choctaw football fell on the road 38-16 in their final conference game.
In their final Gulf South Conference contest of the season, Choctaw football fell to West Alabama 38-16. This dropped the Choctaws to 4-6 on the season and 3-4 in GSC play, while UWA improves to 5-5 and 3-4 in the GSC. On a rainy day in Livingston, Alabama, the Choctaws saw many of the things that have plagued them this season come back to bite them against the Tigers. Here are some key takeaways from the loss.
Turnovers kill offense
As has been the case throughout the season, the Choctaw offense could not operate effectively when turning over the football. They gave up the ball four times throughout the night, on three fumbles and a John Henry White interception. As a result, the offense only managed 235 yards on the ground and 300 yards of total offense.
White went 5-8 through the air for 30 yards and an interception and rushed for just 48 yards and one touchdown. Cole Fagan scored the other Choctaw touchdown on the day and led all Choctaw rushers with 53 yards on ten carries.
Run defense struggles again
For the second week in a row, the Choctaw offense was outgained on the ground, and yet again it was in large part due to the defense struggling. Last week, they allowed Delta State to pick up 417 yards on the ground, and while they were over 100 yards better this week, West Alabama still had their way, gaining 303 yards on the ground.
The already run-heavy West Alabama offense was able to thrive in the wet conditions as they only threw the ball ten times all game and relied on the backs for much of their offense.
Bry Webb led the way for the Tiger offense, picking up 114 yards on 18 carries. Quarterback Tucker Melton also rushed for a pair of touchdowns and threw one as well. Demetrius Battle scored a touchdown and gained 56 yards on his 13 carries and Antonio Brown picked up 74 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries.
Ridge Futural and Jacob Jones were the leading Choctaw defenders with eight tackles each.