CARROLLTON, Ga. – Tied at 17-17 in the third quarter, West Georgia out-scored North Alabama 20-6 over the final quarter and a half as the Wolves downed the Lions 37-23 in a Gulf South Conference battle at University Stadium.
 
With the loss, North Alabama falls to 1-3 overall and 1-2 in the Gulf South Conference. West Georgia improved to 4-1 overall and 1-1 in the GSC.
 
UNA fell behind 14-0 less than five minutes into the game but the Lions fought back until they tied the game 17-17 with just under 10 minutes to play in the third quarter. From there, West Georgia capitalized on two UNA turnovers and scored on four straight possessions to push its advantage to 37-20.
 
Following a Maurice Carnell fumble recovery, UNA added a 39-yard Chandler Carrera field goal but could get no closer.
 
West Georgia out-gained UNA 435-301, rushing for 148 and passing for 287.
 
UNA's Nick Taylor rushed for 108 yards on 22 carries and quarterback Rico Bruton was 12-of-26 passing for 130 yards and one touchdown. The Lions lost four turnovers in the game and Bruton was sacked six times. West Georgia quarterback Willie Candler was 19-of-25 passing for 287 yards.
 
West Georgia scored on its first two possessions of the day to take a 14-0 lead less than five minutes into the game.
 
The Wolves took the opening kickoff and drove 75 yards in eight plays for a touchdown. Devontae Jackson capped the drive with a nine-yard TD run around left end and Trey Wiggins PAT made it 7-0 at 11:52 of the first quarter.
 
UNA fumbled the ball back to the Wolves on its third play from scrimmage and West Georgia scored two plays later. Jackson had his second TD of the day on a five-yard run to make it 14-0 at 10:49 of the first quarter.
 
A 40-yard Jamal Jackson kickoff return to the West Georgia 45 put UNA in UWG territory and Chandler Carrera came on to boot a 33-yard field goal for the Lions after the drive stalled at the 16. Carrera's kick cut West Georgia's lead to 14-3 at 3:14 of the first quarter.
 
West Georgia looked like it would extend its lead mid-way through the second quarter but a Josh Thurman interception stopped the possession at the UNA nine-yard line. The Lions offense then responded with a 13-play, 91-yard drive for their first touchdown of the day. Rico Bruton rushed eight yards for the TD and Carrera's PAT made it 14-10 with 1:17 left in the half.
 
The UNA defense failed to hold the momentum, however, as West Georgia drove to the Lions' seven-yard line before calling on Wiggins to boot a 24-yard field goal on the final play of the half. The score gave the Wolves a 17-10 halftime lead.
 
UNA was out-gained 241-145 in the half but Nick Taylor rushed for 74 yards on 12 carries to lead the Lions.
 
North Alabama opened the second half with a 13-play, 77-yard drive to tie the game at 17-17. Bruton hit Austin Hicks with a 21-yard touchdown pass and Carrera's PAT came at the 9:59 mark to even the score.
 
West Georgia responded with a TD drive on its first possession as well, going 66 yards in 10 plays to regain the lead. Willie Candler threw an 11-yard swing pass to Taylor Turner who broke a tackle and raced to the end zone. Wiggins PAT gave the Wolves a 24-17 lead at 5:58 of the third quarter.
 
UNA's ensuing drive stalled at the UWG nine and a 26-yard Carrera field goal pulled the Lions to within four at 24-20 with 1:54 left in the third quarter.
West Georgia pushed its lead to 27-20 with 12:58 left in the game on a 23-yard Wiggins field goal.
 
After Cameron Magee picked off a Bruton pass at the UNA 41, Travis Custis leaped over a Lion defender and went 34 yards to the end zone to make it 34-20 with 12:05 remaining.
 
North Alabama host Florida Tech next Saturday (October 7) at 6:00 p.m. at Braly Stadium for Homecoming.