FLORENCE, Ala. (October 28, 2024) – The North Alabama special teams unit had a bevy of notable playmakers last Saturday in a tight 24-19 loss at nationally-ranked Central Arkansas, including redshirt junior
Justin Luke who was named United Athletic Conference Specialist of the Week on Monday.
Luke became the first UNA player to total over 100 kick return yards in a game since Andre Little in 2019 against Campbell. He finished with three returns for 103 yards.
Luke, a redshirt junior wide receiver, had an 82-yard sprint that put UNA in the redzone and set up the first touchdown by freshman
Jalen Fletcher in the second quarter. UNA's previous long kick return this season was set by
Logan Collier at 44 yards against Illinois State. The 82-yard return was also just 12 yards shy of the FCS school record last set by Little at 94 yards in 2019.
The Warner Robins, Ga. native also had a 19-yard return to open the game.
Luke was one of the many notable standouts on special teams this week. Another notable player was graduate transfer
Caleb McDougle, who blocked a punt and made a four-yard tackle for loss on UCA's Trejan Bridges during a punt return.
Bridges, who entered as the league leader in punt return yards, was held to negative-six yards on two returns. This bumped his season average down to 10.1 yards per return, which now ranks second in the league.
On the flipside, redshirt senior
Kobe Warden returned three punts for 46 yards, including a 24-yard return. This is the most punt return yards by an FCS team against Central Arkansas this season. FBS Arkansas State had 62 yards in UCA's season opener.
McDougle's blocked punt was UNA's first since 2021 when Chase Brown did so against Charleston Southern. The Lions also had another blocked punt by true freshman
Azariah Fletcher prior to McDougle's block, but it was negated by a holding penalty away from the play.
Freshman punter
Adam Watford also highlighted the unit with four punts for a 41.5 yard average, including a notable 51-yarder to flip field position.
Luke is a first-time weekly award winner. He joins graduate kicker
Scott Payne as the second specialist of the week from UNA this season. Luke's award is the 11th weekly award for UNA this season.
The Lions are back in Braly Stadium for Senior Day against Austin Peay. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
