FLORENCE, Ala. – The University of North Alabama rolled up 650 yards of total offense and held off a final drive by Florida Tech as the Lions downed the Panthers 55-48 at Braly Stadium.
 
Down by a touchdown, FIT got the ball with 1:45 left on the clock and moved to the UNA 20-yard line before a fourth-and-10 pass fell incomplete, ending the threat with 10 seconds left in the game.
 
North Alabama, ranked eighth in the NCAA Division II, improves to 3-0 overall and 2-0 in the Gulf South Conference. Florida Tech falls to 1-3 and 0-1 in league play.
 
The win was the 109^th of Bobby Wallace's career at UNA and tied him with Hal Self as the winningest football coach in school history.
 
North Alabama built a 34-21 lead at the half in the high scoring affair but the Panthers rallied to tie the game at 34-34 with 8:18 left in the third quarter. The Lions then extended their lead to two touchdowns at 55-41 with 8:46 to play before FIT again closed to within a score with 3:42 remaining.
 
UNA's 650 yards of offense came from 450 yards passing and 200 on the ground. Quarterback Luke Wingo was 24-of-39 for 398 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 64 yards and two scores. UNA's Lamonte Thompson rushed for 123 yards on 19 carries for his third consecutive 100-plus-yard rushing game of the season and the 11^th of his career. It was also his third career game with more than 100 yards rushing against Florida Tech. Thompson also had 89 receiving yards on five catches.
 
Dre Hall had 134 yards receiving yards on six catches for UNA.
 
Florida Tech's Mark Cato was 23-of-40 passing for 353 yards and five touchdowns. Kenny Johnston caught nine passes for 147 yards.
 
North Alabama plays at Valdosta State next Saturday (October 3) at 1 p.m. Central.



Lamonte Thompson rushed for 123 yards and scored two touchdowns against Florida Tech


Bobby Wallace's 109 wins at North Alabama ties him with Hal Self as the winningest coach in school history


Julius Jones pulls in an 18-yard touchdown pass from Luke Wingo


Luke Wingo threw for 398 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 64 yards and two TDs


C.J. Jackson celebrates a defensive stop by the Lions