West Alabama Wins

West Alabama headed to Hickory and took down the Lenoir-Rhyne Bears. The Tigers' defense created five turnovers throughout the day, scoring on two of them. LR were unable to replicate the success they had one week ago against Virginia Union and will start the season 1-1.

West Alabama Final Stat Leaders

1. Luther Richesson, QB: 22-of-31 passing, 201 yards, 2 TDs; 10 carries, 44 yards
2. Jaylon York, WR: 6 receptions, 77 yards
3. Legend Doggett, DB: 1 INT, 80-yard INT return TD

Lenoir-Rhyne Final Stat Leaders

1. LJ Turner, RB: 8 carries, 148 yards, 2 TDs
2. Eddie Clark, RB: 10 carries, 107 yards, 1 TD; 5 receptions, 52 yards
3. Mikel McClellan, WR: 5 receptions, 65 yards

Tigers Pick Off Bears Again For TD

Legend Doggett jumps and picks off Bettenhausen and takes it to the house for the touchdown. That's Doggett's second touchdown of the game for the Tigers' defense, and the fifth turnover of the day for Lenoir-Rhyne. 

That should pretty much seal the game for the Tigers. The UWA defense has been on fire all day. 

LEGEND DOGGETT PICK SIX 😤

📺: https://t.co/pAvup9PhIb@uwa_football | @GulfSouth #GSC | Aug 27 - Nov 22 | Live on FloCollege pic.twitter.com/aOvZ4zcmxV

— FloCollege | Football (@FloCollegeFB) September 5, 2026

West Alabama Adds Three Points

The Tigers capitalize on the interception and convert a field goal. They are up four points with about five minutes left in this game. 

Back-To-Back Turnovers

Wells Bettenhausen's pass is popped up and intercepted by Issaiah Parrish, and that's the second drive in a row that the Tigers have created a turnover. It's also the fourth turnover of the day for the LR Bears. 

Tigers Scoop Up Fumble, Score

LR's Shermon Davis loses the ball, and Legend Doggett scoops it up for the touchdown. West Alabama retakes the lead with only eight minutes left in the fourth quarter. That's the third turnover of the day by the Bears. 

SCOOP ➡️ SCORE 🐯

📺: https://t.co/pAvup9PhIb@uwa_football | @GulfSouth #GSC | Aug 27 - Nov 22 | Live on FloCollege pic.twitter.com/ODIm5ReGfI

— FloCollege | Football (@FloCollegeFB) September 5, 2026

LJ Turner Breaks Off Run, Scores

Turner, for the second time today, broke off a massive run, going 76 yards for the touchdown. LR retakes the lead once again. Most of the third quarter was forgettable, with a lot of punting, but the Bears start off the fourth quarter with a bang. 

TO THE LAND OF MILK & HONEY 🍯🐻

LJ Turner breaks through for a 76-yard touchdown

📺: https://t.co/pAvup9PhIb@LRBearsFootball | @SAC_Athletics #SAC | Aug 27 - Nov 22 | Live on FloCollege pic.twitter.com/gDwGMSnhG0

— FloCollege | Football (@FloCollegeFB) September 5, 2026

Second Half Begins 

West Alabama receives the kickoff from LR and we're back underway at Moretz Stadium. 

Halftime At Moretz Stadium

West Alabama will take a 17-16 lead into the locker room after they battled back to score in the final seconds of the second quarter.

LR broke off two massive runs that have accounted for both of their touchdowns. 

West Alabama Halftime Stat Leaders

1. Luther Richesson, QB: 18-of-23 passing, 183 yards, 2 TDs; 4 carries, minus-2 yards
2. Jaylon York, WR: 5 receptions, 76 yards
3. Chrissean Jones, DB: 1 INT, 2 return yards

Lenoir-Rhyne Halftime Stat Leaders

• Eddie Clark, RB: 5 carries, 91 yards, 1 TD; 2 receptions, 11 yards
• LJ Turner, RB: 5 carries, 66 yards, 1 TD
• Wells Bettenhausen, QB: 6-of-12 passing, 54 yards, 1 INT; 6 carries, 16 yards

Tigers Score, Retake The Lead

After a pass interference call put West Alabama on the two-yard line, Richesson completes a pass to Jaxon Colvin for a touchdown to take the lead once again. Only about 13 seconds until halftime. 

Tight End Tiger Tuddy, 𝙨𝙖𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙛𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙛𝙖𝙨𝙩

📺: https://t.co/pAvup9PhIb@uwa_football | @GulfSouth #GSC | Aug 27 - Nov 22 | Live on FloCollege pic.twitter.com/8oQhw0767o

— FloCollege | Football (@FloCollegeFB) September 5, 2026

Bears Score Again, Take Lead

LJ Turner runs 57 yards for the touchdown and the Bears are in front after a slow start and two turnovers. That's the second big touchdown run from a LR running back after Eddie Clark went 87 yards. 

Ma'am, there goes that man again

LJ Turner takes it 57 yards to the house 🏠

📺: https://t.co/pAvup9PhIb@LRBearsFootball | @SAC_Athletics #SAC | Aug 27 - Nov 22 | Live on FloCollege pic.twitter.com/SQfZmeDajf

— FloCollege | Football (@FloCollegeFB) September 5, 2026

Eddie Clark Goes Yard

Clark runs up the gut and takes it 87 yards untouched as Lenoir-Rhyne gets their first touchdown of the afternoon in dramatic fashion. 

EDDIE CLARK 87-YARD TOUCHDOWN 🤯

📺: https://t.co/pAvup9PhIb@LRBearsFootball | @SAC_Athletics #SAC | Aug 27 - Nov 22 | Live on FloCollege pic.twitter.com/JECbjeOJr1

— FloCollege | Football (@FloCollegeFB) September 5, 2026

West Alabama Recovers Fumble

After a long review, the Tigers take over after a confirmed fumble by LR. The second turnover of the day for the Bears. 

Lenoir-Rhyne Safety

LR pushes Dakarai Shanks back into the West Alabama endzone resulting in a safety. The Bears are on the board, with two points. 

BEARS ON THE BOARD ✌️

📺: https://t.co/pAvup9PhIb@LRBearsFootball | @SAC_Athletics #SAC | Aug 27 - Nov 22 | Live on FloCollege pic.twitter.com/JsyRSbadNi

— FloCollege | Football (@FloCollegeFB) September 5, 2026

West Alabama Touchdown

Luther Richesson connects with Cam Joseph for a 25-yard touchdown as the Tigers go up 10-0 in the second quarter.

Nobody puts Cam in the corner

📺: https://t.co/pAvup9PhIb@uwa_football | @GulfSouth #GSC | Aug 27 - Nov 22 | Live on FloCollege pic.twitter.com/NosblNWYTw

— FloCollege | Football (@FloCollegeFB) September 5, 2026

Tigers On The Board

West Alabama capitalizes on an early turnover and converts the field goal. 

West Alabama Interception

Just a little over a minute into the game, West Alabama picks off Wells Bettenhausen. 

TIGER TAKEAWAY ❌

Chrissean Jones comes up big with the turnover for West Alabama

📺: https://t.co/pAvup9PhIb@uwa_football | @GulfSouth #GSC | Aug 27 - Nov 22 | Live on FloCollege pic.twitter.com/m2dGooi8wm

— FloCollege | Football (@FloCollegeFB) September 5, 2026

We're Underway At Moretz Stadium

Lenoir-Rhyne hosts West Alabama in Hickory, North Carolina. 

The Bears receive the kickoff from the Tigers. 

Tough Schedules For Both Teams

Both Lenoir-Rhyne and West Alabama have front-loaded schedules to start the season. Lenoir-Rhyne had to defeat then-No. 10 Virginia Union, while West Alabama defeated Tuskegee.

Today, they play each other, and next week Lenoir-Rhyne travels to Newberry while West Alabama hosts Pittsburg State.

West Alabama Vs. Lenoir-Rhyne Players To Watch

West Alabama Stat Leaders

• Luther Richesson, QB: 215 passing yards, 3 passing TDs; 93 rushing yards
• TD Parker, WR: 4 receptions, 57 yards
• Kaden Cupp, WR: 2 receptions, 50 yards, 2 TDs
• KC Bradford, DB: 5 tackles
• Anthony Oatis, DL: 5 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble

Lenoir-Rhyne Stat Leaders

• Wells Bettenhausen, QB: 261 passing yards, 1 TD
• Shermon Davis, RB: 8 carries, 109 yards
• Mikel McClellan, WR: 7 receptions, 112 yards
• Angus Weaver, LB: 5 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1 sack
• Carnell Ferguson, DL: 2 sacks, 2 TFL, 1 forced fumble

West Alabama vs. Lenoir-Rhyne All-Time

• 2024: Lenoir-Rhyne 37, West Alabama 34 - NCAA D2 First Round
• 2018: West Alabama 36, Lenoir-Rhyne 32
• 2017: West Alabama 46, Lenoir-Rhyne 7

D2 Football Rankings 2026: Week 0 Top 25

1. Ferris State (1-0)
2. Harding (0-0)
3. Kutztown (0-0)
4. CSU Pueblo (1-0)
5. Central Washington (0-0)
6. Northwest Missouri State (1-0)
7. Minnesota State (1-0)
8. Indianapolis (1-0)
9. Western Colorado (1-0)
10. Grand Valley State (1-0)

See the full FloCollege Top 25

Lenoir-Rhyne Football 2026 Schedule

1. Aug. 28 - vs. Virginia Union - W, 45-3
2. Sept. 5 - vs. West Alabama
3. Sept. 12 - at Newberry
4. Sept. 19 - vs. Mars Hill
5. Sept. 26 - at Anderson
6. Oct. 3 - vs. Carson-Newman
7. Oct. 10 - at UVA Wise
8. Oct. 17 - vs. Wingate
9. Oct. 31 - at Emory & Henry
10. Nov. 7 - vs. Tusculum
11. Nov. 14 - at Catawba

West Alabama Football 2026 Schedule

• Aug. 30 - vs. Tuskegee - W, 27-17
• Sept. 5 - at Lenoir-Rhyne
• Sept. 12 - vs. Pittsburg State
• Sept. 19 - vs. North Greenville
• Sept. 26 - at Barton
• Oct. 3 - vs. Chowan
• Oct. 17 - at West Florida
• Oct. 24 - at Delta State
• Oct. 31 - vs. Valdosta State
• Nov. 7 - vs. Monroe
• Nov. 14 - at Northeastern State

Join The College Football Conversation

• Follow us on Twitter @FloCollegeFB
• Follow us on Instagram @FloCollegeFootball
• Follow us on TikTok @FloCollegeFootball
• Watch us on YouTube
• Like us on Facebook