FLORENCE, Ala. – The University of North Alabama built an 18-0 halftime lead but was outscored 31-6 over the final two periods and dropped a 31-24 decision to Alabama A&M at Braly Stadium.
It was the Bulldogs first win over UNA since 1987 and snapped a nine-game UNA winning streak in the series.
After being shutout in the first half, A&M scored touchdowns on its first four straight possessions of the second half to take a 28-21 lead. UNA got to the Bulldogs' three-yard line but had to settle for a field goal to make it 28-24. A&M then took 5:25 off the clock with a 10-play drive that was aided by a key personal foul penalty against the Lions after a third down stop. A 39-yard Spencer Corey field goal made it 31-24 with 1:45 left in the game.
North Alabama fumbled the ball away on its final possession and the Bulldogs ran out the clock.
A&M finished with 458 total yards after gaining just 167 in the first half. North Alabama was held to just 150 yards over the final two periods.
North Alabama drove for a touchdown on its opening possession, marching 73 yards in just five plays to the end zone.
Terence Humphrey scored on a 19-yard run with 12:48 left on the first quarter clock to make it 6-0.
Joe Gurley's extra-point attempt was wide left.
Two other UNA drives stalled in the first quarter and Gurley kicked field goals from 40 and 39 yards to make it 12-0. A 14-yard run by
Ron Thompson with 14:56 left in the second quarter made it 18-10 but the try-for-two failed.
A&M drove 87 yards on nine plays to open the second half for a six-yard Bentley Jordan TD run and Corey's PAT made it 18-7 at 11:40 of the third quarter.
Another 25-yard Gurley field goal made it 21-7 before Bentley added a three-yard TD run to make it 21-14 at 4:54 of the third.
Bentley then scored on an 18-yard TD pass Aqeel Glass with just 38 seconds left in the third to tie the game.
A&M took its first lead at the 9:12 mark of the fourth quarter on a 23-yard TD pass from Glass to Anthony Howard to make it 28-21.
After a long pass to
Dexter Boykin put UNA at the three-yard line, UNA had to settle for a 25-yard Gurley field goal which made the score 28-24 with 7:10 left.
A&M then added Spencer's field goal with 1:45 left to make the final count 31-24.
UNA's Humphrey rushed for 123 yards on 15 carries for the Lions
The last two weeks, North Alabama has been outscored 76-6 in the second half. UNA led Montana 17-16 at the half week ago but lost 51-17. The Lions then led A&M 18-0 and before losing 31-24.
North Alabama plays at Jacksonville State on September 21.
