FLORENCE, Ala. -- The University of North Alabama football program closed out its 46 years in the Gulf South Conference and NCAA Division II on a winning note with a 16-7 win over Mississippi College at Braly Stadium.
The win gave UNA a 5-5 overall record in 2017, avoiding the first losing season at the school since 2002. The Lions finished 5-3 in the GSC, while Mississippi College ended its season at 1-9 overall and 1-7 in the GSC.
Having played in the GSC and Division II since 1972, UNA will begin its transition to Division I and FCS football in 2018.
North Alabama scored on its third possession of the game on a 27-yard pass from Matt Markham to Dre Hall and Chandler Carrera's PAT made it 7-0 at 2:59 of the first quarter.
Carrera added a 29-yard field goal to cap a 14-play, 68-yard drive at 8:35 of the second quarter to make it 10-0.
Mississippi College had a scoring opportunity just before the half but a botched snap denied the Choctaws a chance at a short field goal.
Carrera kicked a 32-yard field goal at 11:20 of the fourth quarter to make it 13-0 but the Choctaws didn't quit.
Mississippi College drove 84 yards in 14 plays for its only score of the day as Ja'Moz Mark raced 16 yards to the end zone on a jet sweep. Greg Nickles PAT made it 13-7 with 4:19 left in the game.
North Alabama added an insurance field goal from 37 yards from Carrera with 2:29 to go to seal the win.
UNA got 133 rushing yards on 25 carries from Nick Taylor and 108 yards on 10 carries from Hall. It marked the first time that the Lions have had two players rush for more than 100 yards in the same game since 2006.
The UNA defense, meanwhile, held MC to just 37 yards passing and 236 total yards.
After leading UNA's first scoring drive, Markham was injured and did not return as the Lons turned to fourth-string quarter Tyler Jeffreys. Markham and Jeffreys were both efficient in their efforts, combining to complete eight-of-10 passes for 77 yards and UNA rushed for 289.
Hall closed his career at UNA with 201 catches for 3,144 yards and 25 touchdowns, all school records. He ranks fifth in GSC history for receiving yards, 10th in receptions and 10th in touchdown receptions.
The UNA Senior Class of 2017 posted a 34-12 record since 2014, with three GSC championships, three NCAA Playoff appearances and a 21-4 record at Braly Stadium.
