UWF Football: No. 6 Argos prepare for first home campus playoff game at Pen Air Field

West Florida’s David Durden (17) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during action against Delta State at Pen Air Field at the University of West Florida Saturday, September 24, 2022.

PENSACOLA— Pete Shinnick and the University of West Florida football team are not new to the NCAA Division II playoffs, but will have to prepare for a new opponent under new conditions.

In their first playoff game on campus, the Argos are host to Limestone at 1 p.m. Saturday from Pen Air Field. West Florida is the No. 3 seed in Super Region II.

“Tremendous character with our team, which I talk about every week with them. It’s an amazing opportunity for the University of West Florida. A year ago at this we were not planning on hosting games, we thought we would be downtown for a long time,” Argos head coach Pete Shinnick said. “Credit to Dave Scott (UWF Athletic Director), Dr. Saunders (UWF President) and their vision. Now we are hosting playoffs games and people are asking when did we build this stadium (Pen Air Field). It’s amazing setup and we couldn’t be happier to be here.”

The Saints reside in the South Atlantic Conference. While it will be the first meeting with Limestone, UWF have some history with teams from that conference.

In 2021, Newberry pulled off an unbelievable 33-30 overtime upset of West Florida on the road in last season’s first-round playoff matchup

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The Argos come into this game much more focused and ready to put on a show for their home crowd. It also helps that their defense have seen a similar offensive attack that Limestone brings to the table.

Argos head coach Pete Shinnick keeps an eye on the action the spring football game at the University of West Florida in Pensacola on Thursday, April 14, 2022.

Playing their first playoff game in school history, the Saints enter this game with coming off a record-breaking regular season. They also had 13 players named to the all-conference team this season.

Limestone ranked first in the conference in total offense (5,193 yards), yards per game (472.1), points per game (36.2), and passing yards per game (271.2). They are currently riding a four-game win streak while the Argos come in on a seven-game win streak.

Story continues

West Florida’s Michael Police (93) goes after Mississippi College quarterback John Henry White during action against Mississippi College Saturday, October 22, 2022 at Pen Air Field at the University of West Florida. West Florida went on to beat Mississippi College 45-17.

UWF has experience facing a balanced attack and high-powered offense. This season, the Argos have faced Delta State (41.5 ppg, second in GSC), West Georgia (40.4 ppg, third in GSC) and Valdosta State (36.6 ppg, fourth in GSC). All three conference opponents average more points and yards per game than Limestone.

“Very balanced offense and similar to what we’ve seen out of Delta, Valdosta, and West Georgia. They have a quarterback that can run it and throw it. They also have running backs and receivers, just a very athletic group,” Shinnick said. “We have to be at our best defensively. Its a lot to digest in a short amount of time and they are a really balanced opponent on offense and defense.”

Another balanced attack

Tre Stewart leads the rushing attack for the Saints. He rushed for 1,411 yards and 14 rushing touchdowns. He is the first running back in school history to surpass the 1,000-yard mark for the season on the ground. He also finished third in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns in the SAC.

West Florida’s defense brings down Mississippi College’s quarterback John Henry White during action against Mississippi College Saturday, October 22, 2022 at Pen Air Field at the University of West Florida. West Florida went on to beat Mississippi College 45-17.

Dustin Noller adds to the other half of the balanced attack for Limestone. The starting quarterback has thrown for 2,246 yards and 20 touchdowns on 61.2 completion percentage.

The Saints are 1-2 this season in games where they have attempted more passes than rushes.

The Argos main focus should be putting this team in passing situations. That is accomplished by not turning the ball over, converting third downs, and ending drives with touchdowns instead of field goals.

A clash between two Titans

This matchup will feature a total of 29 All-Conference selections between the two teams. Limestone is coming off its best regular season in program history. They had 13 All-Conference selections that includes six first-team selections with two of them being offensive lineman.

Cameron Thomason and Luke Bond led the way upfront for the balance attack of the Saints. The Argos will have to control the line of scrimmage and make an emphasis to live in the opponents backfield to slow this offense down.

The Argos will look to one of their 16 All-Conference selections that includes five defensive selections. Willie Jordan and Pensacola-native Pooda Walker will headline the front seven of the Argos.

Jordan leads the GSC with eight quarterback hurries and his 57 tackles is fifth in the conference. Walker has 28 solo tackles, five tackles for loss, and two sacks.

The talent between both teams will be on full display, but if the Argos can easily outlast the Saints if they play their brand of championship football and minimize the mistakes.

The Argos also have playoffs’ experience to lean over the Saints.

Get Mason back on track

West Florida’s Shomari Mason runs down field as they take on North Greenville at Pen Air Field at the University of West Florida Saturday,, October 1, 2022.

Shomari Mason becomes the first player in program history to earn all-conference honors on three occasions (two First Team, one Second Team).

He has 893 rushing yards on 113 carries for 7.9 yards per carry and seven touchdowns. The explosive back from North Fort Myers has four 100-yard games this season and ranks second in the country in yards per rush.

Mason hasn’t looked like himself over the last few weeks.

The junior has 20 carries with 136 yards rushing and no touchdowns in his last three games. He started the season with 93 carries and 757 yards rushing and eight total touchdowns.

A right ankle injury has kept him hobbled and in a walking boot during the practice week for the last four weeks. They will need him to return to the Mason from earlier this season that offenses couldn’t contain.

The Argos should dominate the ground attack with all of their top three rushers back and healthy along with PeeWee Jarrett being a huge contributor to the rushing attack over the last three weeks of the season.

Greg Hollis is a sports reporter for the Pensacola News Journal. He can be reached at ghollis@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Football: Argos ready for another title run, play Limestone on Saturday