LIVINGSTON – The Red and White Game for the University of West Alabama football team ended in a 7-7 tie at the end of regulation, before the White team won in overtime with a one-on-one harness pull to decide the winner on Saturday in Livingston, Ala.

“It was a really close game and I think the players did a good job of picking the teams,” said UWA Head Coach Sam McCorkle. “I think in the Red and White Game you want to see guys compete and they did.”

The White Team took a 7-0 lead when running back Derick Spellers ran for a four-yard touchdown with 4:09 remaining in the second quarter. The Red Team answered with 41 seconds remaining in the half, when Jerin Wright connected with B.J. King for a 36-yard touchdown on a halfback pass.

After four twelve minute quarters, with the clock running continuously in the second half, the score was tied and each team picked one man to compete in a harness pull to determine the winner. The White Team selected Carlos Montgomery, while the Red Team chose Wright. They started at the 50-yard line before Montgomery was able to pull Wright across the 40-yard line for the win.

Josh Crouch completed 9-of-16 passes for 65 yards and one interception for the White team. Also for the White Team, quarterback Jeremy New ran for 43 yards on five carries and also threw one interception

Spellers led the White Team rushing with 67 yards on 17 carries and one touchdown. Andre Epps had three catches for 34 yards, while Thamus Davis added 12 yards on three receptions. Laramie Cook had two catches for 15 yards for the White Team.

For the Red Team, Jeff East completed 4-of-12 pass attempts for 39 yards. Wright ran for 32 yards on eight carries to go along with his 36-yard touchdown pass to King. DeLorean Williams added 58 rushing yards on eight carries.

King led the Red Team in receiving yards with 36 and one touchdown catch. Marcus Ross added a 22-yard catch for the Red Team. Chase Gentry and Matt Geohagen each had one interception for the Red Team defense. Rob Miller kicked for both teams and was 2-for-2 on extra point attempts.

Following the game, a luncheon was held where the 2003 captains were named. Brett Gilliland was named the Offensive Captain, Aaron Nettles the Defensive Captain and Tonya Butler the Special Teams Captain.

Four awards were also given out following the Red and White Game honoring 2003 accomplishments. Will Harter won the Maxey Caldwell Award for “Most Improved”, while the Red Watkins Award for “Desire, Dedication and Sportsmanship” went to Zeb Ellison. Brett Gilliland won the Phil Puccio Award for “Leadership and Dedication” as well as the ASA Green Award for “Scholar Athlete”.