Offense won the University of North Alabama its first NCAA Division II football national championship in 1993, and so it was only appropriate that the Lions title defense should fall upon the Defense.  In 1993, runningbacks Tyrone Rush and Brian Satterfield were featured on the cover of the team's media guide, proclaiming "Double Trouble" for the Lions opponents. The Lions then went 14-0 behind an offense that shattered virtually every school and conference rushing and scoring record.  And even in the Division II National Championship Game, it was a 27-point fourth quarter by the Lions offense, including a touchdown with just 10 seconds left against Indiana-Pennsylvania, that gave UNA it's first football national championship.

In 1994, linebackers Ronald McKinnon and Keith Humphrey scowled on the cover of the Lions pre-season media guide as they DEFENDED the 1993 championship trophy, making it clear to any challengers that the Lions were intent on retaining the championship. And defend they did.  While UNA's triple-option offense rolled up record numbers through the first four games, the Lions Purple Swarm defense looked untouchable, posting three shutouts in the first four games.  By season's end, UNA was second in the nation in two defensive categories, fourth in two others, and ready to defend its championship in the Division II playoffs.

With narrow wins over Carson-Newman and Valdosta State in the first two rounds and a romp of North Dakota in the semifinals, only Texas A&M-Kingsville stood between the Lions and a share of Division II history.  The Lions found themselves in a similar situation as in 1993. Clinging to a 16-10 lead late in the fourth quarter over Texas A&M-Kingsville, the UNA defense had its back to the wall. The Javelinas were driving and chewing up the clock.   Then, almost as scripted, with just 2:22 left in the game, McKinnon stepped in front of a Wilson Scott pass at the UNA 18-yard line, tipped it twice, got it under control, and raced 27 yards in the other direction.  Another interception by Paul Sanders in the final minute closed the door for good on the Javelinas and the Lions had   their second straight championship.

Not only did North Alabama become just the third school in NCAA Division II history to win back-to-back national championships, joining Southwest Texas State (1981-82) and North Dakota State (1985-86), but also became the first school in the history of NCAA competition on any level to have won two national championships in both football and basketball.  UNA claimed Division II basketball titles in 1979 and 1991.

The Lions finished 13-1 in 1994, with the only loss coming on the road to eventual I-AA national champion Youngstown State, 17-14.  UNA's record run pushed the school's winning streak against Division II opponents to 27 straight and the Lions ranked No. 1 nationally in the Division II poll for the entire season, running that streak to 17 consecutive polls in the top spot.  The Lions became just the third school to win back-to-back Gulf South Conference titles, and the team would produce an unprecedented 12 first-team All-GSC selections and seven All-Americans, with five players from the Purple Swarm named to All-America teams.

UNA opened the season with a 35-0 romp of Fort Valley State on the road, pounding the Wildcats with 618 total yards and 494 yards rushing. Kenyatta Jones rushed for 161 yards and scored three touchdowns, while the Lion defense allowed just 41 yards rushing on 31 attempts and surrendered just 87 total yards.

Game two was a similar story. Playing at home at Braly Stadium for the first time since winning the 1993 championship, and in front of a sell-out crowd of more than 14,000, UNA raced to a 58-0 lead over Alabama A&M with 7:22 left in the third quarter. The Lion offense rushed for 333 yards and had 395 total yards, but the defense caused four turnovers and held the Bulldogs to a minus 19 yards rushing. A&M scored twice late in the game on the Lions reserves, but UNA was 2-0 with a 58-13 win.

The Lions opened the Gulf South Conference portion of their schedule the following week at home against Mississippi College and ripped the Choctaws 24-0 and gave up just 58 yards rushing.

The next week at Delta State UNA posted a 38-0 win to go 4-0, giving up just 51 yards rushing. Jones rushed for 106 yards and scored twice for the Lions.  An open date the following week gave the Lions time to prepare for the defending I-AA national champion Penguins of Youngstown State.

It didn't start well for the Lions, as Youngstown State took its opening possession and marched 72 yards in seven plays to score. But that would be it for the Penguins until the fourth quarter. The UNA defense, behind the play of McKinnon and tackle  Marcus Keyes, closed the door on YSU, and UNA finally tied the game late in the third quarter on a one-yard run by quarterback Cody Gross.  The Penguins went on top again early in the final period, but Gross responded with a 62-yard scoring pass to Michael Edwards to make it 14-14 with 12:59 left.  The outcome was finally decided when Paul Massaro booted a 30-yard field goal with 7:33 left to give Youngstown a 17-14   lead. UNA marched back to midfield but was stopped on a fourth down try, and the Lions 18-game winning streak had stopped.

With the impressive showing against a I-AA power, UNA held its spot atop the Division II poll, however, and the quest for the Division II title continued.  First UNA romped Henderson State 41-7 on the road, then the Lions turned their attention to a powerful Central Arkansas squad for Homecoming.

Everything went UNA's way in the first half as the Lions rolled to a 28-0 lead behind 112 yards rushing and 135 yards passing from Gross. But the offense failed to gain a first down in the second half and the Bears rallied for 21 points before UNA's defense closed the door on a 28-21 win.

A 50-7 rout of Livingston set up the much anticipated matchup between the No. 1 ranked Lions and the No. 2 ranked Blazers of Valdosta State. UNA brought in the premier defense in Division II to meet the most explosive offense, led by eventual Harlon Hill Trophy winner Chris Hatcher. But this one was a mismatch as UNA crushed the Blazers on a soggy field, rolling to 31-7 and 38-13 leads before settling for a 38-21 win. Hatcher and the Blazers spent most of the night on the run from UNA's Purple Swarm, as the Lions intercepted four passes, recovered two fumbles, recorded three sacks and had five tackles for loss.

A 37-25 win over West Georgia closed the regular season at 9-1, and UNA turned its attention to the Division II playoffs.  Carson-Newman was the Lions opening round opponent for the second straight year, and the Eagles and Lions battled to a scoreless tie at halftime. UNA broke on top 10-0 in the second half on a Jamie Stoddard field goal and a Jarius Hayes end-around for a touchdown, but Carson-Newman struck for two quick touchdowns and held a 13-10 lead with 11:20 left in the game. The Lions drove down to the Eagles 16-yard line, where they faced a fourth-and-six call.  Stoddard booted a 33-yard field goal to tie the game, but the Eagles were offsides, and UNA's Bobby Wallace decided to take the points off the scoreboard and go for a fourth-and-one at the 11. Senior Anthony Brooks, who missed the 1993 championship drive with a knee injury, burst through the left side and went 11 yards for a game-winning touchdown as UNA downed the Eagles 17-13, and advanced to the second round.

The Valdosta State Blazers were primed for their second chance at the Lions, but the game appeared headed in the same direction as UNA held a 17-3 lead in the fourth quarter. VSU rallied for two scores and suddenly the two GSC rivals were looking at the first overtime game in either's football history. Both scored touchdowns on their opening possessions in the extra period to make it 24-24, but Keyes blocked a Blazer field goal attempt in the second overtime, setting the stage for a game-winning 17-yard field goal by Stoddard for a 27-24 Lion win.

North Central Conference champion North Dakota was no match for UNA in the semifinal as the Lion's Michael Edwards returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown and UNA built a 35-0 lead before allowing a late score.

In the championship game, UNA played on a wet field for the fourth time, but Kenyatta Jones didn't slip in the first quarter when he went 90 yards for a touchdown on the longest run in championship game history.  A Stoddard field goal and a Gross one-yard run made it 16-3 at the half, but again the offense sputtered in the second half, and it was up to the Purple Swarm to hold the line on the national title - and it did, once again.

Closing the season with 159 tackles, McKinnon became one of the most honored athletes in school history. He was a first-team All-America selection by the Associated Press, the American Football Coaches Association, the Football Gazette, the Division II Sports Information Directors and C.M. Frank. He was also first-team All-GSC for the third straight year, named GSC Defensive Player of the Year, and was selected as Division II National Player of the Year by CNN's College Football Preview show, as selected by Danny Sheridan.

Joining McKinnon on the various All-America teams were linebacker Keith Humphrey, defensive linemen Israel Raybon, Marcus Hunter and Marcus Keyes, and offensive linemen Kin Taylor and Jon Thompson.  Stoddard, punter Lee Morris, defensive back Gerald Smith, tight end Jarius Hayes and split end Michael Edwards were also first-team All-GSC picks.  Head coach Bobby Wallace was named Division II National Coach of the Year by ABC and Chevrolet, the American Football Coaches Association, the Football Gazette and College Sports magazine.