PDF Game Notes

FLORENCE, Ala. -- With three games remaining in the 2019 football campaign, the University of North Alabama will try and finish its first season with a full FCS schedule on a positive note, beginning with a home contest Saturday at 1:30 p.m. against Campbell.

The bad news for the Lions is that, although UNA has already faced a rugged schedule that has included three nationally ranked opponents on the road, this Saturday's opponent brings a 6-1 record to Braly Stadium and is riding a six-game winning streak.

UNA's list of 2019 opponents already includes fourth ranked Kennesaw State, eighth ranked Monmouth and 18th ranked Jacksonville State, and the Lions next two opponents, Campbell and Monmouth, are the top two teams receiving votes just outside the Top 25.

At 2-6, UNA will suffer its first losing season since 2002, but the Lions have lost three games by a touchdown or less. The only losses by more than seven points were against the three ranked opponents on the road.

"It's not getting any easier for us," said UNA head coach Chris Willis. "Campbell has a strong football team that is on a roll and they have a dual-threat quarterback that is very dangerous. We have to have a good week of preparation and come out and play hard and execute our game plan if we want to be successful."

Campbell dropped its opener at Troy, 43-14, but has since pulled off six straight wins, including a dramatic 49-47 win over Gardner-Webb in three overtimes last Saturday.

The Camels have a balanced offensive attack, rushing for 184 yards per game, while passing for 211. They average 32 points per game.

Freshman quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams is a threat with his arm as wel as his legs, throwing for 1,408 yards and 14 touchdowns and rushing for another 375 yards and four scores. He is the team's second leading rusher, just four yards behind Johnathan Hawkins at 379. In last Saturday's game against Gardner-Webb, Williams threw for 208 yards, rushed for 100 and accounted for four touchdowns.

The Camels have 12 different players with at least one catch this season and five backs have rushed for 100 yards or more.

Defensively, Campbell is giving up 421 yards and 27 points per game.

North Alabama looked to back-up quarterback Blake Dever for a spark last Saturday at Kennesaw State and he helped deliver 17 first half points in his first start, including a touchdown drive on the game's first possession.

He finished the game 23-of-32 for 261 yards and a score and was intercepted once.

The Lions will likely give both Dever and two-year starter Christian Lopez a look against Campbell as UNA is still looking for more consistency on the offensive side.

North Alabama will honor the 12 senior members of its 2019 football team in a pre-game ceremony as they play their final career game at Braly Stadium.

Over the last four years, UNA has a combined 25-16 record that includes a Gulf South Conference Championship, a spot in the NCAA Division II National Championship Game in 2016 and a 7-3 record in the team's first season of Division I FCS football in 2018.
Also part of the pre-game festivities, in honor of the 150th Anniversary of College Football, will be a recognition of the members of UNA's seven all-decade teams. More than 50 former Lions gave indicated that they will be attending, including 22 All-Americans.

Following the Campbell game, UNA will close its 2019 season on the road with games at Monmouth on November 9 and Gardner-Webb on November 16.