(Football 1982-85)
Knowles was selected as the kicker for the
NCAA Division II Football Team of the Quarter Century (1973-97). He was named to the 50th
Anniversary UNA Football Team for 1949-98. Named to the UNA Team of the Decade for
1979-88, the First Forty Years UNA Football Team, the Gulf South Conference Team of the
Decade for the 1980s and the Gulf South Conference Football Team of the Quarter Century.
He was named first-team All-American by the Football News in 1985 after converting on
32-of-35 extra points and 18-of-26 field goal attempts, while leading UNA in scoring with
86 points.
A native of Montevallo, Ala., Knowles was UNA's starting place-kicker for four
years and established what was then an NCAA Division II record for points scored by
kicking in a career (regular-season) with 263. He set 12 school and nine Gulf South
Conference records, and one NCAA record during his career. Following his senior season he
ranked fourth in Division II history for career field goals made with 45. His school and
GSC records included career points scored (292), career points by a kicker (292), most
extra-points made and attempted in a career (139-of-149), most points by kicking in a
season (86 in 1985), most field goals made in a season (18 in 1985) and most field goals
attempted in a season (26 in 1984 and 1985). He also set school records with 62
consecutive successful extra-point attempts, most extra-points made in a game (7) and
season (46) and the longest field goal (51 yards against West Alabama in 1985). UNA
compiled a 37-7-4 record during Knowles four years as a kicker.
Graduated from UNA in 1986
with a B.S. degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation. Currently a high school
football coach at Shelby Academy where he serves as an assistant football coach and head
girl's softball and basketball coach. His girl's basketball team won the 1992 state
championship.