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FLORENCE, Ala. -- It's bounce back time for the University of North Alabama football team as the Lions return to Braly Stadium to celebrate Homecoming 2017 Saturday against Florida Tech with kickoff set for 6 p.m.
    Coming off back-to-back Gulf South Conference losses for the first time since 2012, the 1-3 Lions have battled through numerous injuries, including the loss of starting quarterback Blake Hawkins. There is no rest for the weary, however, as a solid Florida Tech team makes its second all-time trip to Florence.
    FIT is 3-2 overall, with losses to FCS member McNeese State (42-21) and in-state rival West Florida (23-21). The Panthers are also looking for redemption after suffering the loss to UWF on a field goal on the final play of the game.
    Florida Tech comes in averaging more than 30 points and 413 yards per game. Running back Antuwan Haynes has rushed for  559 yards and four touchdowns for a 111.8-yard per game average.
    Quarterbacks Mark Cato and Trent Chmelik have combined to throw for 1,058 yards and nine touchdowns.
    "They are a good football team and are definitely capable of putting up some points," said UNA head coach Chris Willis. "We have to prepare for two different style quarterbacks since we're not sure if Cato or Chmelik will play, or both. Their offense changes depending on who is under center and that is something we will have to be ready for. Defensively, lineman Adonis Davis is very disruptive and is the best defensive lineman we have seen this year. They move around a lot and run stunts and blitzes so we have to prepare to pick those up."
    Willis said his primary focus is on his own team.
    "I am more concerned about us than our opponent," said Willis. "It's Homecoming and our guys are still focused and ready to go. If we can eliminate the turnovers and contain their running game, we've got a chance."
    For UNA, the Lions need to hold onto the football and protect the quarterback.
    After not commiting a turnover in the season-opener against Texas A&M-Commerce, UNA has turned the ball over 11 times in the last three weeks. The Lions offense has also allowed 19 sacks. By contrast UNA quarterbacks were sacked just 22 times last season in 14 games.
    Running back Nick Taylor was a bright spot in the loss at West Georgia, rushing for 108 yards on 22 carries for the Lions.
    On the defensive side, UNA is allowing 26 points per game but has picked off seven passes and recovered three fumbles.
    True-freshman linebacker Christon Taylor has been impressive, earning a starting role in the middle of the UNA defense and leading the team in tackles with 38.
    On special teams, kicker Chandler Carrera has hit his last five consecutive field goal attempts, including going three-for-three last week at West Georgia with kicks of 33, 26 and 39 yards.
    This will be North Alabama's fourth all-time meeting with Florida Tech since FIT began its intercollegiate football program in 2013. The Panthers are a football-only member of the Gulf South Conference.     
    UNA leads the all-time series with FIT 3-0, having downed Florida Tech 55-28 in Melbourne in 2013, 34-31 in Melbourne in 2014 and 55-48 in Florence in 2015. The game scheduled between the two schools in 2016 was cancelled due to Hurricane Matthew.
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     The Lions are 48-19-1 all-time in their 68 previous Homecoming games. UNA has won 12 straight Homecoming games, dating back to a 24-20 loss to Valdosta State in 2004. Last season UNA downed Shorter 45-0 last season on Homecoming.

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    North Alabama will be on the road the next two weeks at Shorter and Central Washington.