HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Holding a slim 18-17 lead at halftime, the University of North Alabama defense held Alabama A&M to just three points in the second half and the Lions held on for a dramatic 25-20 win at Louis Crews Stadium in the first meeting between the two schools since 1997.
 
North Alabama scored a touchdown on its first possession and led until there were just over three minutes left in the third quarter when the Bulldogs went on top 20-18. The Lions regained the lead after a fumble recovery led to a 30-yard touchdown pass from Christian Lopez to Jakobi Byrd with 13:46 left in the game.
 
A&M had three possessions late in the fourth quarter but UNA's defense responded each time. UNA defensive back K.J. Smith intercepted A&M's Trevon Walters on the final possession and returned it 48 yards. The Lions then took a knee to run out the clock.
 
"It was another week where we went right down to the wire," said UNA head coach Chris Willis. "Last week our offense stood up and pulled us through and this week it was our defense that got it done. The defense really stepped up in the second half to hold them to just three points and our coaches made some great adjustments."
 
The game was played in front of a crowd of 15,100.
 
UNA finished with 316 total yards to 337 for A&M. The Lions rushed for 164 yards and passed for 152. Damon Cox led UNA's ground effort with 14 carries for 77 yards and Terence Humphrey had 10 carries for 69 yards. Byrd led UNA's offensive attack with seven catches for 65 yards and two touchdowns.
 
North Alabama scored on its first possession of the game, quickly covering 78 yards in seven plays for a touchdown. Christian Lopez hit Jakobi Byrd with a six-yard pass that he took around the right end to the end zone. UNA's Joe Gurley then ran in with the two-point conversion and UNA led 8-0 at 8:38 of the first quarter.
 
A&M responded with an 11-play, 76-yard drive for a touchdown of its own. Jeron Jones pulled in a four-yard pass from Ageel Glass and Spencer Corey's PAT closed the gap to 8-7 at 3:04 of the first quarter.
 
The Lions went the length of the field on their second possession as well with Lopez scoring on a one-yard run. Chandler Carrera's PAT pushed UNA's lead to 15-7 with 14:19 remaining in the half.
 
Alabama A&M again responded with a 10-play, 65-yard drive with Isaiah Bailey scoring from two yards out on a pass from Glass. Corey's kick made it 15-14 with 10:44 left in the half.
 
North Alabama scored on its third straight possession but this time it was directed by freshman Rett Files. The drive ended on a 24-yard Carrera field goal that made it 18-14 at 6:15 of the second quarter.
 
A&M got a 25-yard field goal from Corey with just 28 seconds left in the half to make it 18-17 at the half.
 
The Bulldogs took their first lead of the game on their first possession of the second half, marching from their own 13 yard line to the UNA two before having to settle for a field goal. Corey booted a 19-yard field goal that put A&M on top 20-18 with 3:25 left in the third quarter.
 
The North Alabama defense came up with a key play early in the fourth quarter when Maurice Burton forced a fumble and UNA's Brady Owensby recovered at the Lions' 49 yard line.
 
UNA would scored three plays later on a spectacular catch by Byrd on a pass from Lopez that covered 30 yards. Carrera's PAT put UNA back on top 25-20 with 13:46 left in the game.