CONWAY, Ark. (October 25, 2024) – The University of North Alabama football team looks to keep its first three-game win streak since 2016 alive for another game, as the Lions travel to No. 10 Central Arkansas on Saturday for a 4 p.m. kickoff.
Both teams are fresh off bye weeks. Two weeks ago, the Lions made history with a 47-34 win over then-No. 10 Abilene Christian for the first win over a ranked FCS opponent in school history. The Bears improved to 5-2 overall in their last game, holding off West Georgia for a 34-33 home win at "The Stripes" of Estes Stadium.
Both UNA and UCA are tied for second in the United Athletic Conference standings, as the Lions are 3-1 in conference play and Central Arkansas enters 2-1.
For a list of "things to know" for Saturday's game,
click here.
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
North Alabama vs. Central Arkansas
Date: Saturday, October 26
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Location: Conway, Arkansas
Stadium: Estes Stadium
Capacity: 10,000
TV: ESPN+ (J.B. Brazeal, Wess Moore)
Radio: WLX 98.3 / 103.5 FM ("Voice of the Lions" Benjamin Ray, Bryan Neece)
Live Stats: SIDEARM
Tickets: Click Here
Social Media:
@UNAFootball
UNA Game Notes |
Opponent Game Notes |
UAC Website
NOTABLES
ABOUT THE LIONS: North Alabama is 3-5 overall, overcoming an 0-5 start with three straight wins over West Georgia, Utah Tech and No. 10 Abilene Christian. The Lions have moved up to No. 55 of 129 teams in the Massey FCS Power Ratings, ranking among the top half of teams in the Division I sub-division. In conference games, UNA has both the third-ranked offense and defense of nine teams in the UAC. Overall, UNA is averaging 379.9 yards per game with 206 passing and 173 rushing. Meanwhile, the UNA defense allows the fewest yards in the league with 359.9 per game.
TEAM OF THE WEEK: Following the landmark win over the nationally-ranked Wildcats, UNA was tabbed the Stats Perform FCS Team of the Week. This was the second time UNA had won the award. The first time came back in 2018 after UNA's first-ever Division I game, where the Lions defeated Southern Utah 34-30 for a road win. The Lions received votes in the national polls that next week.
ABOUT THE BEARS: The preseason favorite to win the UAC, Central Arkansas enters 5-2 overall and is ranked 10th in the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll and 12th in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25. When it comes to scoring, the Bears have both the top offense and defense in the league with 38.3 points per game and just 24.1 allowed. UCA has the top rushing offense in the UAC with 245.3 yards per game, which ranks fifth in the nation.
SERIES HISTORY: Saturday will mark the 23rd all-time meeting between North Alabama and Central Arkansas. UNA leads the all-time series with a 15-7 record. Neither team has won more than four straight in this series. Central Arkansas won the last two matchups in 2022 and 2023. UNA seeks its first win over UCA since 2005.
MOST ANTICIPATION SINCE 2005?: UNA and Central Arkansas were distant in the standings the last two seasons of conference play, but this year's matchup could have major implications for both teams. The last time that could be said for this rivalry was 2005, which was the final two meetings in the Division II era. UCA won a double-overtime thriller in the regular season, while UNA avenged that loss with an overtime walk-off field goal by Yuta Fakuda to win 41-38 in the Division II Quarterfinals. UNA finished ranked fourth that season, while UCA finished sixth.
RUNNING THE GAUNTLET: UNA will face another ranked opponent this week. Since
Brent Dearmon took over as head coach last season, the Lions have played 15 of their 20 games against teams either ranked or receiving votes in the national poll. In the five games against unranked teams, the Lions are 4-1, including 2-0 this season.
TURNED-OVER A NEW LEAF: UNA struggled with turnovers early in the season, leading the nation with 13 turnovers after four games. Since then, UNA has only had three turnovers. Furthermore, the Lions have scored 16 touchdowns and have committed just one turnover over the last three games.
JERRY RICE WATCH LIST: UNA had two players named to the Jerry Rice Award watch list this week in freshman linebacker
Josh Anglin and freshman running back
Jalen Fletcher. The national award is given each year to the top freshman in FCS football. Past winners include NFL players Cooper Kupp, Trey Lance and Chase Edmonds, as well as Heisman contenders Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders. UNA was the only team with two players on the 30-player list this year.
SUPERSTAR SMITH: Redshirt senior quarterback
TJ Smith has been a key contributor to the team's success the last few games, taking the starting role since conference play began four games ago. Last time out against ACU, he combined for six touchdowns to tie the single-game school record and to earn UAC Offensive Player of the Week. He was also recognized by NCAA FCS on social media as their player of the week. For the season, Smith has completed 64-of-96 passes for 747 yards, 10 touchdowns and just one pick. He also has 50 rushes for 207 yards and three scores.
REDDICK WREAKING COMPETITON: Smith and Fletcher won weekly awards last week from the UAC along with defensive teammate
Gregory Reddick. The redshirt senior safety had 12 tackles and an interception last game against ACU and leads the team with 60 tackles. Reddick averages 7.5 tackles per game to rank sixth in the UAC.
POINTS PARADE: In the last two games, UNA has scored 107 points. The last time UNA combined for over 100 points in back-to-back games came in October of 2016. UNA won 52-21 over North Greenville and routed 49-19 against Delta State a week later. This season, UNA pummeled Utah Tech 60-14 and upset Abilene Christian 47-34.
KENEBREW MILESTONE WATCH: Seventh-year wide receiver
Takairee Kenebrew is the all-time record holder at UNA with 29 touchdown catches, including three this season. He also ranks third on the all-time receiving yard list with 2,256 yards, trailing Dre Hall (3,144) and UNA Hall of Famer Michael Edwards (2,844). Kenebrew is also ninth in all-time catches. He needs just five receptions to move up to fifth all-time and nine to move up to fourth.
SCORIGAMI WATCH: In the last three games, UNA has won by a score that has never been recorded in UNA football history. Since 1949, the Lions have played 813 games. UNA has experienced "Scorigami" nine times the last two seasons, but never three times in a row in that stretch.
FAMILIAR FACES: Both teams have a transfer from the other school on the roster. Former UNA runningback ShunDerrick Powell leads the Central Arkansas offense with 158.1 rushing yards per game, which ranks second in FCS. He also ranks second in the country with 13 rushing touchdowns. Meanwhile, the Lions added a former Central Arkansas runningback to its stable this offseason in Arkansas native
Travelle Anderson. Anderson will suit up on his former stomping grounds this Saturday.
MOVING THE CHAINS: UNA and Central Arkansas are two of the top 25 teams in first downs this season. The Bears are second in the UAC and rank 14th in FCS with 167 first downs, while the Lions are third in the league and 24th in the country with 155. Abilene Christian, who will go on bye this week, has 192 first downs to rank fourth in the nation.
NEXT ON THE DOCKET: The Lions return home next weekend for senior day at Braly Stadium, welcoming Austin Peay to town for a 4 p.m. kick. There are 17 seniors anticipated to walk on senior day.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
