University of North Alabama Athletics

FLORENCE -- For the second time in the first three weeks of the 2004 season, the University of North Alabama will be facing a nationally ranked opponent - this time in the form of long-time Gulf South Conference foe Delta State. UNA is 2-0 overall after knocking off 12th ranked Tusculum on the road to open the season before thrashing Arkansas-Monticello 59-21 in its Gulf South Conference opener. This week the Lions will take to the road again and will be renewing one of its oldest rivalries with the Statesmen. The two schools met every season from 1960-2001 but haven't played each other in two years. Delta State, 1-1 overall, was ranked 19th in the nation last week and is coming off a 59-7 rout of West Alabama. In UNA's win over Arkansas-Monticello, the Lions fell behind 14-7 early but then scored 39 unanswered points, including a school-record 33 points in the second quarter. The Lions 46-14 advantage at halftime also represented the most points ever scored in a half by a UNA team. Junior DeMarcus Blount had two rushing touchdowns, pushing his school-record career total to 43, and he also threw a 68-yard TD pass to former high school teammate Marcus Lewis. The UNA defense allowed two quick scores but then didn't surrender another score to UAM. The Boll Weevils did pick up a Lion fumble and return it for a TD, but the UNA defense held the high-powered Monticello offense to just 282 total yards, including a dismal 16-for-42 passing performance. Lion quarterback Vinnie Saylor also seemed more relaxed in his second start at UNA and completed 7-of-15 passes for 140 yards and one touchdown in limited action. Delta State comes into Saturday's game led by quarterback Scott Eyster and wide receiver Ellis Debrow. Eyster has thrown for 495 yards and two touchdowns in DSU's first two games, after throwing for 3,485 yards and 29 TDs a year ago. Debrow has 16 catches for 296 yards and one TD. he scored 18 TDs last season and had 77 pass receptions. The game with Delta State will be a homecoming of sorts for several members of the UNA coaching staff. UNA head coach Mark Hudspeth graduated from Delta State in 1992 and served as offensive coordinator on DSU's 2000 NCAA Division II National Championship team. UNA assistant coaches Chris Willis and Keith Boone are also Delta State graduates. UNA's series with Delta State has been one of streaks. The Lions hold a 23-18-1 all-time advantage. UNA was 4-12 against the Statesmen in the first 16 meetings but the Lions then went 18-3-1 from 1976-98. Delta State has a current three-game winning streak against the Lions, including a 21-3 victory in Florence in the last meeting in 2001. North Alabama has won its last 13 straight regular-season games and has 11 straight wins against Gulf South Conference schools. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Parker Field in Cleveland, Miss.