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FLORENCE, Ala. -- It's game week for the University of North Alabama football team and the excitement of the Lions' full Division I membership, after four years of NCAA transition, is evident as UNA looks to its 2022 opener on Thursday at Indiana State.

"Our guys are excited for a lot of reasons," said UNA Head Football Coach Chris Willis. "Being a full Division I member and now eligible to compete for the playoffs has brought a lot of energy to our pre-season camp. But these guys have worked hard for almost a month now and they are ready to lineup against someone else and see how they stack up."

The Lions will get that chance on Sept. 1 in Terre Haute, Ind., when they face the Sycamores at Memorial Stadium at 5 p.m. Central.

Members of Missouri Valley Conference, Indiana State is coming off a 5-6 season in 2021.

The ISU team and campus is also mourning the loss of three students, including two Sycamore football players, who died in a tragic accident earlier in the week.

"Indiana State is a good program that plays in one of the best conferences in the FCS, so this game will be a tough opener," said Willis. "We feel good about where we are and what we've done in camp, but the only way that you can really gauge where you are is by playing a quality opponent.

"Their team is also having to deal with a tragedy and our thoughts and prayers are with them," Willis added.

North Alabama won its last contest against a Missouri Valley Conference school, knocking off Western Illinois 26-17 in its 2019 season opener.

UNA is coming off a 3-8 finish in its final season of its Division I transition. The Lions held leads in eight of the 11 games but faltered late in the second half of several.

"That's been one of our focus points throughout camp is to finish games, and not let up," Willis said.

The Lions return 38 total lettermen, including seven offensive starters from last season.

Leading that group are four offensive weapons who were named to the pre-season All-ASUN Conference team in running back Parker Driggers, receivers Cortez Hall and Takairee Kenebrew, and tight end Corson Swan.

The quarterback race in camp has been intense, with returnees Jaylen Gipson and Rett Files leading the way, but newcomers Noah Waters and Ben Harris are also in the mix.

Both UNA's offensive and defensive lines have been bolstered by newcomers and should be solid.

Following its trip to Terre Haute, North Alabama will host Virginia-Wise at Braly Stadium on September 10 at 6:00 p.m.