Home games against Gulf South Conference rivals North Alabama, Valdosta State and Delta State highlight the 2014 schedule of the defending two-time GSC champion West Alabama football schedule, which also includes an early-season trip to FCS opponent Jacksonville State.

“We are pleased to finally announce the 2014 UWA football schedule,” UWA Director of Athletics Stan Williamson said. “We needed to ensure we scheduled as many NCAA Division II games as possible in order to give the Tigers the best chance at another playoff run.”

The Tigers open the 2014 season by traveling to Stillman College for the first of a four-game home-and-home, season-opening agreement billed as the Tiger Classic. UWA opens it home schedule against Shaw (N.C.) University of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association.

“Any Gulf South Conference schedule comes with a tremendous challenge. We compete in the best conference in NCAA Division II,” UWA head coach Brett Gilliland said. “Any time UNA, Valdosta State or Delta State come to Livingston, it makes for a great season of home games for Tiger Fans. This year we have all three coming here.”

In addition to Shaw and Jacksonville State, who advanced to the second round of the FCS Playoffs and finished with an 11-4 record last season, the Tigers’ non-conference schedule also includes Concordia College.

“Our out of conference schedule is a very good one headlined with Jacksonville State, who is coming off their best season since moving to NCAA Division 1-FCS,” Gilliland said. “We are also thrilled that we will be playing eight games in the state of Alabama.”

Trips to West Georgia, Shorter and Mississippi College are the only times the Tigers are scheduled to leave the state in 2014.

“We not only have a strong group of six home games, but all away games are within a reasonable driving distance for Tiger fans to join us on the road,” Williamson said. “We hope that all UWA Tiger fans will plan to attend these games as the Tigers make a run for their third consecutive Gulf South Conference Championship.”

Following is the 2014 UWA Football Schedule:

•Sept. 6 at Stillman

•Sept. 13 vs. Shaw

•Sept. 20 at Jacksonville State

•Sept. 27 vs. Concordia

•Oct. 4 at West Ga.

•Oct. 11 vs. Florida Tech

•Oct. 18 at Shorter

•Oct. 25 vs. Delta State

•Nov. 1 vs. Valdosta State

•Nov. 8 at Mississippi College

•Nov. 15 vs. UNA