LIVINGSTON, AL – Powered by quarterback Jalen Ferguson's 411-yard passing performance and three crucial field goals from Jake Brown, the Lenoir-Rhyne Bears went on the road to upset the third-seeded West Alabama Tigers 37-34 on Saturday afternoon.
The Bears (10-2) overcame a potent West Alabama rushing attack and multiple deficits to advance in the Super Region II playoffs, with Brown's 25-yard field goal with 4:46 remaining proving to be the difference maker.
Lenoir-Rhyne's aerial assault was spearheaded by wide receiver Adonis McDaniel, who hauled in seven catches for 202 yards and two touchdowns, including a momentum-shifting 78-yard scoring strike in the third quarter that tied the game at 34. Songa Yates added five receptions for 107 yards as the Bears' passing game helped overcome a ground attack that was limited to just 49 yards on 27 carries.
West Alabama (9-2) dominated the rushing battle, accumulating 229 yards on the ground led by quarterback Spencer Arceneaux's 74 yards and running back Bry Webb's 70 yards. The Tigers appeared to take control early in the third quarter when Arceneaux broke free for a 61-yard touchdown run to put West Alabama ahead 34-24.
However, the Bears' defense stiffened in the fourth quarter, forcing two critical missed field goals by Tigers' kicker Eric Guyton from 28 and 44 yards that could have changed the outcome. Lenoir-Rhyne's defensive effort was anchored by linebacker Jon Willis, who recorded 10 tackles including one for loss.
The first half featured a back-and-forth scoring battle that saw five lead changes. After West Alabama opened the scoring with a 42-yard touchdown pass from Arceneaux to Tre Walker, Ferguson responded with a 4-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 7. The Tigers built their largest lead at 27-14 in the second quarter, but the Bears closed the half strong with a touchdown pass to Marcus Simmons and a 32-yard field goal by Brown to pull within 27-24.
Ferguson, who completed 22 of 40 passes without an interception, consistently found success against a Tigers defense that had been allowing just 2.4 yards per rush attempt coming into the contest. The Bears' offensive line provided excellent protection, as Ferguson wasn't sacked despite West Alabama's previously impressive pass rush that had recorded 32 sacks during the regular season.
The victory marked Lenoir-Rhyne's first-ever win against West Alabama in three meetings between the programs, avenging a 2018 loss in their last matchup. The Bears' defense forced three turnovers, including a crucial interception by Dareke Savage with 1:36 remaining that helped seal the victory.
Special teams played a decisive role, with Brown converting all three of his field goal attempts while Guyton missed both of his tries for the Tigers. The Bears' coverage units also contained West Alabama's dangerous return game, limiting the Tigers to an average of 27 yards on kickoff returns.
The win continues Lenoir-Rhyne's recent postseason success, following last year's run to the national semifinals. The Bears' defense showed resilience in the second half, holding West Alabama scoreless in the fourth quarter despite the Tigers averaging 6.7 yards per play for the game.
The Bears' victory sets up their next playoff matchup in the Super Region II semifinals against Virginia Union.
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