The Gulf South Conference bounced back this past week with five wins in the last full non-conference week of the season.

West Alabama and Harding took the field Thursday night in the first GSC-TV LIVE Game of the Week. UWA thrilled its home crowd, topping the Bisons, 33-19, thanks to 23 unanswered points in the second half

A Top 25 battle headlined Saturday's action when No. 4 North Alabama preserved its perfect home record (8-0) versus No. 22 Carson-Newman, 31-14.

Arkansas Tech joined UNA and UWA as the league's trio of 2-0 teams, breezing past Incarnate Word in its home opener, 40-10, while also making Head Coach Steve Mullins the all-time leader in victories at ATU (78).

Ouachita Baptist opened up its 2009 campaign on the road, posting its sixth win in as many games via a 52-6 victory at NAIA Texas College.

The Conference split a pair of matchups at Division I-FCS opponents. Arkansas-Monticello notched its first triumph of the season, topping Arkansas-Pine Bluff for the second straight year, 27-3. Henderson State led No. 15 McNeese State, 24-6, in the third quarter but the Reddies could not hold on in the end, falling to the Cowboys, 27-24.

Excitement was in the air in Carrollton, GA as West Georgia opened the gates to the brand new University Stadium, but NAIA Lambuth rained on the Wolves parade with a 27-20 victory.

GSC FOOTBALL WEEK AHEAD
The 2009 season shifts into high-gear this week as the Gulf South Conference pulls the curtain on its league schedule. The Conference slate kicks off this Thursday night when the GSC-TV LIVE Game of the Week crew returns to Livingston, Alabama for the second week in a row. Host West Alabama and Arkansas Tech lock horns in Tiger Stadium with both seeking 3-0 records and a jump start to the league campaign.

Saturday includes three league contests and two non-conference battles. No. 3 North Alabama travels to Arkansas for the second time in three weeks, facing a Henderson State squad which still seeks its first win. No. 18 Valdosta State returns after a week-off in search of win No. 1 when it hosts Southern Arkansas. Ouachita Baptist hits the road for the second straight week, crossing the GSC landscape to play West Georgia. A pair of nearby GSC rivals headline the non-conference slate when Arkansas-Monticello hosts No. 10 Delta State. Lastly, Harding faces its third non-conference opponent of the season when Southwest Baptist invades First Security Stadium.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10TH
GSC-TV LIVE GAME OF THE WEEK

Arkansas Tech (2-0, 0-0) @ West Alabama (2-0, 0-0), 7:00 p.m.

Tiger Stadium, Livingston, AL Press Box Phone: (256) 283-6441

Series: ATU leads 11-4-0 Last Meeting: ATU 26, @ UWA 24 (2008)

West Alabama and Arkansas Tech entertain the GSC-TV Game of the Week audience for the second consecutive season. This year, Tiger Stadium is the back drop after ATU clipped UWA in Russellville in 2008, thanks to a go-ahead field goal with 30 seconds on the clock.

That win was the Wonder Boys' 10th in a row over the Tigers and upped their all-time series lead to 11-4-0. West Alabama has dropped the last four home matchups versus Arkansas Tech and is 2-5 at home versus ATU. UWA seeks its first 3-0 start since 2006, while the Wonder Boys can become 3-0 for the second time in three seasons.

The Tigers play on Thursday night for the third game in a row, while Arkansas Tech laces up on Thursday for the second time. UWA has a 2-6 mark in GSC-TV LIVE action, and ATU is 2-4.

West Alabama is first in the GSC in passing offense (361.0) and second in scoring defense (11.0), rushing defense (48.0) and total offense (479.0). Arkansas Tech ranks first in total offense (496.5) and second in scoring offense (42.0), rushing offense (156.5), passing offense (340.0) and kickoff returns (25.2). UWA quarterback Deon Williams is No. 1 in passing (302.0), total offense (311.0) and pass efficiency (211.7) Running backs Dameon Baylor and Roosevelt Ross are seventh (46.0) and eighth (45.5) in rushing, respectively. ATU signal caller Nick Graziano is second in total offense (308.0) and third in passing (278.5). Running back Cody Burns is second in rushing (87.0). Wide receiver Landon Turner is tops in receiving (99.5), while Frantz Simeon is first in all purpose yards (162.5).

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12TH

#3 North Alabama (2-0, 0-0) @ Henderson State (0-2, 0-0), 6:00 p.m.

Carpenter-Haygood Stadium, Arkadelphia, AR Press Box Phone: (870) 230-5035 or 464-7799

Series: UNA leads 18-4-0 Last Meeting: @ UNA 45, HSU 20 (2008)

The numbers are on No. 3 North Alabama's side when it journeys to Henderson State.

UNA puts its 19-game winning streak versus Arkansas foes on the line. The Lions also own an 18-4-0 all-time lead versus the Reddies thanks to a 13-game winning streak. The contest marks the Lions' first trip to Carpenter-Haygood Stadium since 2004. UNA is 7-3 in Arkadelphia, AR led by a six-game streak and is also 12-0 versus HSU since the Reddies became GSC members in 1993.

North Alabama is first in pass defense (95.5) and kickoff returns (28.8), second in total defense (274.5) and third in scoring defense (11.5). Henderson State is third in rushing offense (155.5) and fifth in scoring offense (31.0). UNA wide out Preston Parker is No. 1 in kickoff returns (50.5), second in receiving (95.0) and sixth in receptions (tied, 5.00), while teammate T.J. Porter is second in receptions (tied, 6.00). Quarterback Harrison Beck is fourth in passing (277.0) and total offense (260.0). HSU running backs Stefon Ceaser and Kenard Springer are fifth (57.0) and sixth (55.0) in rushing, respectively. Wide receiver Chris Evering is fourth in receiving (82.0).

Ouachita Baptist (1-0, 0-0) @ West Georgia (0-2, 0-0), 6:00 p.m.

University Stadium, Carrollton, GA Press Box Phone: (678) 839-1939

Series: UWG leads 3-1-0 Last Meeting: @ OBU 41, UWG 17 (2008)

Ouachita Baptist hits the road for the second week in a row, seeking its first-ever win at West Georgia.

An OBU victory would lock up the Tigers' third straight 2-0 start and would be their first-ever win at UWG. The Wolves own a 3-1-0 all-time edge with only one coming in Carrollton in 2001 (30-3). A win would be just what the doctor ordered for West Georgia, which has lost 16 in a row dating back to 2007.

Ouachita Baptist is tops in the GSC in scoring offense (52.0), rushing offense (223.0), scoring defense (6.0), rushing defense (-9.0) and total defense (225.0). West Georgia is second punt returns (22.6), fourth in pass defense (205.0) and fifth in rushing offense (111.5). OBU running back KJ Johnson leads the league in rushing (144.0) along with two rushing TDs. UWG running back Yusuf Holloway is third in rushing (83.0). Punter Adi Brkic is tops in punt average (46.8).

Southern Arkansas (0-1, 0-0) @ No. 18 Valdosta State (0-1, 0-0), 6:00 p.m.

Bazemore-Hyder Stadium, Valdosta, GA Press Box Phone: (229) 245-3779

Series: VSU leads 10-3-0 Last Meeting: VSU 38, @ SAU 16 (2008)

Host No. 18 Valdosta State and Southern Arkansas find themselves in similar situations.

The teams return to the gridiron after a week off and also seek their first win of the season. History is on VSU's side thanks to a 10-3 all-time lead in the series. A decade has passed since the Muleriders recorded their lone win in Valdosta in six attempts. The Blazers have won nine consecutive versus SAU and have not started a season 0-2 since 1997.

Valdosta State is third in pass offense (319.0), fourth in total offense (411.0) and fifth in rushing defense (137.0). Southern Arkansas is third in rushing defense (59.0) and seventh in total defense (381.0). VSU quarterback Russ Callaway is sixth in passing (171.0) and seventh in total offense (169.0). Wide receiver Ronnye Nelson is tied for second in receptions (6.00), while R.J. Bastone is fifth in receiving (79.0). SAU defensive tackle Cedric Thornton first in sacks (2.5) and tackles for loss (4.5 for 23 yards).

No. 10 Delta State (0-1, 0-0) @ Arkansas-Monticello (1-1, 0-0), 6:00 p.m.

Willis "Convoy" Leslie Cotton Boll Stadium, Monticello, AR Press Box Phone: (870) 460-1939

Series: DSU leads 25-5-0 Last Meeting: @ DSU 37, UAM 31 (2008)

Nearby GSC rivals No. 10 Delta State and Arkansas-Monticello lock horns in non-conference action for the second year in a row.

DSU has history on its side when it drives to Monticello, Arkansas, winning 12 consecutive over the Boll Weevils. UAM came close to putting the brakes on that losing skid a year ago. UAM led in the final quarter until the Statesmen scored a pair of touchdowns in the final two minutes, including a 65-yard TD pass with 42 seconds on the clock.

Delta State is 10-3-0 at Willis "Convoy" Leslie Cotton Boll Stadium, taking the last seven meetings dating back to 1972. Arkansas-Monticello's last home celebration in the series came in 1966 with a 7-0 win. UAM defends its home field for the first time this season, while DSU remains on the road for the second time this season.

Arkansas-Monticello is No. 2 in pass defense (169.5) and fifth in total defense (315.5) and scoring defense (tied, 24.0). Delta State is seventh in rushing offense (80.0) and scoring defense (28.0). UAM wide receiver Jywin Ceaser is tops in receptions (6.50) and also ranks third in receiving (92.0). Quarterback Scott Buisson is fifth in passing (204.0) and total offense (216.5). DSU running back Trevar Deed is fourth in rushing (59.0). Signal caller Garrett DeWitt is sixth in total offense (174.0) and seventh in passing (154.0).

Southwest Baptist (0-2) @ Harding (1-1), 6:00 p.m.

First Security Stadium, Searcy, AR Press Box Phone: (501) 279-4071

Series: HU 4-1-0 Last Meeting: @ SBU 41, HU 31 (2008)

Harding has revenge on its mind when it hosts Southwest Baptist.

Last year, HU suffered its first-ever loss to SBU, falling 41-31 on the road. The Bisons return home for this year's matchup, where they are undefeated in the previous two meetings. Harding collected a 17-10 win in 2004 and a 43-40 triumph in 2007. Those in attendance should enjoy a high-scoring contest as the winning team has hit the 40-point mark each season except the in 2004 matchup. HU seeks to move past .500 (1-1), while the Bearcats are 0-2.

Harding is third in the GSC in pass defense (195.0), fifth in scoring defense (tied, 24.0), pass offense (298.5) and total offense (359.0) and sixth in total defense (380.5). Quarterback Josh Powell is second in passing (298.5) and third in total offense (286.5). Wide out Zac Ross is second in all purpose yards (tied, 152.0), while Dominic Blood is sixth in receptions (tied, 5.00).