Tigers’ Tariq Ali Named GSC Defensive Player of the Week

BIRMIGHAM, AL–The University of West Alabama’s Tariq Ali was named Gulf South Conference Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts in the Tigers 34-14 win over then 22nd-ranked Delta State University.

Ali is the first UWA defender to take home accolades this season. The senior linebacker posted his fourth double-digit tackle effort this season, racking up 10 total stops behind five solos. The Birmingham, Ala.-native intercepted a pair of Statesmen passes and also recovered a fumble. Both of his interceptions halted DSU drives in West Alabama territory, while his fumble recovery ended DSU’s first offensive possession of the game.

The win, which snapped a season long, three-game losing streak, marked the first win over the Statesmen in Livingston, Ala. since 1993 and gave UWA Head Coach Bobby Wallace his 97th win at a GSC school.

West Alabama concludes a season-long, three-game homestand on Saturday, Oct. 17 against the University of Arkansas at Monticello.

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