University of North Alabama Athletics

FLORENCE -- With an impressive road win over 12th ranked Tusculum on the road behind them, the University of North Alabama Lions now turn their attention to the Gulf South Conference race and a Saturday matchup with Arkansas-Monticello at Braly Municipal Stadium. UNA opened its 2004 season by romping a solid Tusculum team, building a 28-0 lead before allowing a Pioneer touchdown with just 1:02 left in the game. UNA held Tusculum to just two yards rushing and the UNA offense generated 487 total yards - with 223 rushing and 264 passing. Junior Vinnie Saylor passed his first test at quarterback, stepping in to fill the vacancy left by 2003 Harlon Hill Trophy winner Will Hall. Saylor was 12-for-24 for 171 yards and three touchdowns. The UNA defense was the story, however, making a goal-line stand in the first half that helped turn the game in the Lions favor and smothering Tusculum most of the night.

Junior Quarterback Vinnie Saylor was solid in his first start leading the UNA offense. Saylor finished the game, 12-of-24 for 171 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for another 58 yards

UNA had six quarterback sacks, 15 total tackles for loss, one interception and a fumble recovery. Junior running back DeMarcus Blount made history with UNA's first touchdown of the 2004 season, breaking the school career record for touchdowns scored with 41. In just over two seasons - or 25 career games - Blount has eclipsed the mark set by former Lion quarterback Cody Gross from 1992-95. UNA now has nine straight GSC games remaining on its schedule and the race for the league title and an NCAA playoff berth begins with the Boll Weevils. Against Arkansas-Monticello, the Lions will be looking to win their GSC opener for the second straight year - but for just the second time since 1997. UNA lost its GSC opener six straight times from 1997-2002 Arkansas-Monticello is 1-1 overall - with a non-conference win over Bethel and a non-conference loss at Southeastern Louisiana. This will be the GSC opener for the Boll Weevils as well. UAM is led by quarterback Cory Allred, who was voted first-team All-Gulf South Conference and GSC Offensive Player of the Year in 2003 by the GSC head coaches. He has already completed 38 of 61 passes for 696 yards and seven touchdowns. The Boll Weevils also have a talented group of receivers, led by Von Mixon with eight catches for 144 yards and one touchdown. Defensively UAM has been battered for 388 passing yards per game this season and is allowing 29.5 points per game. The series between North Alabama and Arkansas-Monticello is tied at 3-3 after six meetings. UNA won the first two meetings in 1998 and 1999 before Monticello won the next three contests. UNA then posted a 41-20 win in Florence last year to even the series. Overall, UNA is riding a current 12-game regular-season winning streak. The Lions were a perfect 11-0 in the regular season in 2003 and suffered their last regular-season loss in 2002 at West Alabama, 31-24. UNA is also riding an eight-game winning streak at home at Braly Municipal Stadium. The Lions were 7-0 at home last season and won their final home game of 2002. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Braly Stadium. Next week UNA travels to Delta State.