Lions 8-0 After 31-24 Win

FLORENCE – Tim Hicks scored on a one-yard run in overtime and North Alabama’s Craig Fox picked off a Valdosta State pass on the Blazers’  possession as the Lions picked up a huge 31-24 victory over VSU at Braly Stadium.

UNA, now 8-0 overall, scored in five plays on its possession in overtime, with Hicks plowing in from a yard out. A holding penalty and a sack knocked Valdosta State back to the 22-yard line where it faced fourth-and-18. Willie Copeland’s pass was then tipped in the end zone and picked off by Fox, who ran the ball back to the 15-yard line before fumbling. A pile-up ensued but the game was ruled over.
UNA entered the game ranked third in the nation, while Valdosta State (6-2) was ranked 12th.

Ryan Brick proved to be a defensive hero for the Lions with eight tackles, including four quarterback sacks for 20 yards in losses. Michael Johnson had 11 tackles and recovered a fumble. The Lions sacked VSU seven times in the game.

The game marked the ninth overtime game in UNA history and the third against Valdosta State. UNA is now 5-4 all-time in overtime.
Valdosta State scored first as Shawn Harris blocked a Lyle Atkinson punt and the Blazers recovered at the UNA four-yard line. Two plays later Copeland passed four yards to Zach Parker for the score.

Zachary Williams PAT made it 7-0 with 11:57 left in the first quarter.

UNA quickly tied the game as the Lions marched 46 yards in five plays after a botched Valdosta State on-side kick attempt. Anthony Merritt scored the touchdown on a 22-yard pass from A.J. Milwee and Yuta Fukuda’s kick made it 7-7 with 9:29 left in the opening quarter.

North Alabama scored again on its next possession as Hicks bulled in from one yard out to cap a five-play, nine-yard drive.
Michael Johnson set up the score when he recovered a Copeland fumble.

With 5:02 left in the half, Valdosta State tied the game as Allan Tillman caught a 14-yard pass from Copeland. Williams kick made it 14-14.  But UNA would again answer quickly as the Lions covered 61 yards in 11 plays. Covington Wright caught a seven-yard TD pass from Merritt off a reverse with just 24 seconds left in the half for the score.

Fukuda’s kick gave UNA a 21-14 lead at intermission.

UNA extended its lead in the second half as Fukuda was good on a 24-yard field goal, making it 24-14 with 1:06 left in the third quarter.
Valdosta State closed the gap with a 68-yard, six-play drive and scored on the first play of the fourth quarter on a 10-yard pass from Copeland to Derek Tharpe.

The Blazers tied the game with just 2:06 left in regulation as Williams booted a 35-yard field goal to make it 24-24.

UNA finished with 278 total yards and just 103 yards through the air. After being held to just 81 total yards in the first half, Valdosta State finished with 325 passing yards but were held to just two yards rushing in the game.

Milwee was 13-of-17 passing for 99 yards and a touchdown.

Copeland was 32-of-49 for 325 yards and three scores.

The win closes UNA’s home schedule a Braly Stadium with a perfect 4-0 record and was the Lions’ 11th straight win against Gulf South Conference opponents.

The Lions maintain a one-game lead over Harding in the Gulf South Conference standings at 6-0. The Bisons are 5-1, Delta State is
5-2 and Valdosta State and Henderson State are 4-2.