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FLORENCE, Ala. -- This Saturday's meeting between North Alabama and West Alabama will be the 71st in the oldest on-going series in both school's football histories, but this meeting promises to be one of the most important ever between the Lions and Tigers.

Historically, UNA has dominated the series with a 52-17-1 advantage over its in-state rival. The 52 wins are the most by UNA over any opponent and the Lions are 25-5 against the Tigers since 1988.

This year's version of the West Alabama Tigers, however, is a high-flying unit that averages 43.0 points per game and has scored at least 41 points in all three of its contests this season.

At 2-1 overall and 1-0 in the GSC,  the Tigers only loss was a 49-41 setback to FCS member Samford in a shoot-out in Birmingham. The Tigers could take a huge step in the GSC race with a win over the Lions. The down side for the Tigers is that UWA is just 1-14 in its last 15 games in Florence.

"From what I've seen, they are a good football team," said UNA head coach Chris Willis, who recorded his first collegiate win as a head coach last Saturday against Valdosta State. "Based on the film I've seen, they could be the best team that we've faced to this point. They are fast and well coached and they have a lot of weapons. We'll have our hands full."

This game is equally important to UNA as the Lions are 1-1 overall and also 1-0 in the GSC. The Lions are the four-time defending GSC champions and have been picked to win a fifth straight title this fall.
    
After losing their season opener 8-7 at home against fifth ranked Texas A&M-Commerce, the Lions rebounded with a thrilling road win at Valdosta State, 30-24, led by back-up quarterback Rico Bruton. Freshman linebacker Christon Taylor provided the game-winner as he picked off a pass and returned it 36 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter to break a 24-24 tie.

"Offensively, we can't turn the ball over and we have to stop shooting ourselves in the foot," Willis said. "The first two games we have continued to stop ourselves. The first game was penalties and missed field goals. This past game it was five turnovers. We have moved the ball well between the 30s but we have to stop hurting ourselves in the red zone."

Willis said the bye week may have worked against the Lions defensively.

"I think with our defense we just need to keep it simple and attack the football," Willis said. "With a week off I think we may have tried to make too many adjustments since we didn't have a game. I'm really proud of our defense and what they've done so far."

The North Alabama defense will be challenged by a Tiger offense that averages 464.7 total yards with 156 rushing and 308 passing. UWA quarterback Harry Satterwhite has already thrown for 647 yards and three touchdowns with Donta Armstrong as his primary target. Armstring has 13 catches for 243 yards and two scores.

The Lions have forced seven turnovers in two games with six interceptions and one fumble recovery.

On the offensive side, Bruton is expected to get his first start for UNA after Blake Hawkins was injured in the road win at VSU. Bruton rushed for 79 yards and two touchdowns and passed for 91 yards in his first action with the Lions.

    There are numerous connections between North Alabama and West Alabama, including two members of the UNA coaching staff. UNA offensive line coach Scott Harper coached five years at West Alabama before coming to UNA in 2012. North Alabama linebacker coach Gabe Poe was an All-GSC linebacker at UWA and then was a standout player as a senior at UNA in 2013 before joining Lions' coaching staff in 2014. Long-time UNA athletic trainer Josh Penny is also a graduate of West Alabama.