Lacey
Drew Barton
13
North Alabama UNA 2-5 , 0-3
30
Winner Abilene Christian ACU 3-3 , 1-1
North Alabama UNA
2-5 , 0-3
13
Final
30
Abilene Christian ACU
3-3 , 1-1
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
UNA North Alabama 0 7 6 0 13
ACU Abilene Christian 3 10 3 14 30

Game Recap: Football |

Lions slip in fourth quarter at Abilene Christian

Turnovers prove costly in road setback

ABILENE, Texas (October 14, 2023) – Costly turnovers and a fourth quarter surge by Abilene Christian put a damper on North Alabama's hopes of a challenging road win on Saturday, as the Wildcats pulled away late for a 30-13 win in Abilene, Texas.
 
ACU took a 13-0 lead near the half until UNA scored on a pass from Noah Walters to leading target Takairee Kenebrew with 10 seconds to go. This created momentum for the second half, where UNA marched down the field on 18 plays and eight minutes to tie the game.
 
In a game that was close until the closing minutes, ACU scored a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns to seal it. The score was 16-13 to end the third quarter after an ACU field goal took the lead, but a pair of failed fourth down conversions in no man's land allowed the Wildcats to extend it further.
 
The Lions dip to 2-5 overall and 0-3 in the United Athletic Conference, while the Wildcats even their records at 3-3 overall and 1-1 in UAC play.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
FIRST QUARTER
Abilene Christian 3, North Alabama 0: Punts were traded early and often, but the lone exchange that was not a punt in the first quarter was an interception by Abilene Christian in enemy territory. This led to a 21 yard field goal by Kyle Ramsey after three crucial goal line stops by North Alabama. On third down and goal at the three yard line, sophomore defensive lineman Kaleb Brown hurried the throw to force ACU to settle for the field goal.
 
SECOND QUARTER
Abilene Christian 6, North Alabama 0: The next score came in similar fashion as the first one, as an interception by ACU led to a field goal by Ramsey — except this time it came from 54 yards with a little help from the wind. To this point, UNA forced four of the six drives to end in a punt. The other two resulted in interceptions-turned-field goals.
 
Abilene Christian 13, North Alabama 0: The ensuing possession after the field goal resulted in a tough three-and-out for UNA and a short punt into the wind, giving ACU prime field position. On the first play after the punt, quarterback Maverick McIvor connected with Jed Castles down the left sideline for a 38-yard touchdown pass.
 
Abilene Christian 13, North Alabama 7: On UNA's final drive on the half, Noah Walters threw a fade pass to Takairee Kenebrew with 10 seconds remaining, putting UNA on the board for the first time. Kenebrew maintained his balance and held on to the ball as he landed in the back corner of the end zone. The Sam Contorno extra point made it 13-7 at the break.
 
THIRD QUARTER
Abilene Christian 13, North Alabama 13: The third quarter started about as perfect as possible for North Alabama, as the Lions used 18 plays to go 75 yards and tie the game on three yard pass from Walters to Kenny Rawls, who was wide open in the middle of the end zone. The initial go-ahead extra point was nullified by an ACU offsides penalty, forcing UNA to kick a second time through the confusion – this time unsuccessfully.
 
FOURTH QUARTER
Abilene Christian 23, North Alabama 13: The Lions started out moving the ball in the fourth quarter, but were stalled on 4th-and-5 with an unsuccessful pass beyond the sticks. ACU took over on its own 33 and used a pair of explosive plays to extend the lead to 10, including a 30 yard pass from McIvor to Tristan Golightly that was reviewed and confirmed as a touchdown.
 
Abilene Christian 30, North Alabama 13: Rovaughn Banks Jr. broke off a 52 yard run near midfield to extend the lead and ice the game with 3:49 remaining.
 
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
  • The Lions outgained the Wildcats 423-333, using a balanced attack to total 191 rushing yards and 202 passing yards.
  • UNA totaled its longest scoring drive of the season with 18 plays to open the third quarter. This drive took over eight minutes and went 75 yards. Prior to today, UNA's longest drive went 5:13.
  • Despite UNA's turnover struggle, ACU only scored six points off turnovers — both of which were field goals following interceptions. ACU also scored two touchdowns after turnover on downs.
  • UNA ran 86 plays compared to just 52 by ACU. Of the 86 plays, 43 were passing and 43 were rushing.
  • The Lions totaled 25 first downs compared to 13 by ACU. The Wildcats got their money's worth with 6.4 yards per play compared to 4.9 by UNA.
  • Sophomore Noah Walters went 28-for-43 passing with two touchdowns and four interceptions. He connected with 11 different receivers.
  • Demarcus Lacey led the run game with 77 yards on 18 attempts. Parker Driggers added 50 yards on 14 rushes. H-back Jakob Cummings ran three dive plays, muscling his way to 25 yards.
  • The Lions now have an all-time record of 482-303-16.
 
 
COMING UP NEXT
 
The Lions return to action next week at Braly Stadium in Florence to host UAC opponent Utah Tech. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
 
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 
 
 
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