MEMPHIS, Tenn. (August 30, 2024) – For the second time in three seasons, the University of North Alabama football program heads to Memphis for a showdown against an FBS opponent. The game will kickoff on Saturday, August 31 at 6 p.m. at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis.

For a list of "things to know" for Saturday's game, click here.
 
GAMEDAY INFORMATION 
North Alabama vs. Memphis 
Date: Saturday, August 31
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Memphis, Tenn. 
Stadium: Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium 
Capacity: 58,325
TV: ESPN+ (James Westing, Leger Douzable)
Radio: WLX 98.3 / 103.5 FM  ("Voice of the Lions" Benjamin Ray, Bryan Neece)
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Tickets: Click Here
Social Media: @UNAFootball 
 
UNA Game Notes | Opponent Game Notes | UAC Website 
 
 
NOTABLES
 
ABOUT THE LIONS: UNA already has one game under the belt, which came at last week's FCS Kickoff in Montgomery, Ala. The Lions led Southeast Missouri 15-13 at halftime, but stumbled in the second half as SEMO went on to win 37-15. Despite the loss, UNA tallied 320 yards of offense with 216 rushing yards. Turnovers were the deciding factor, as SEMO forced four of them. The Lions look to bounce back with an experienced group that includes 44 returning players and 18 returning starters from last season, including eight on defense and seven on offense.
 
ABOUT THE TIGERS: Memphis is the preseason favorite to win The American with 23 of a possible 30 first place votes. Last season, the Tigers went 10-3 overall behind a high-powered offense that averaged 458.5 yards per game. Additionally, Memphis has scored 20 or more points in 27 consecutive games — the longest active streak in the nation. The Tigers are receiving votes in both FBS polls — Coaches and AP —and are expected by many to be the highest ranked Group of 5 program in the nation. Memphis returns 69 percent of its total production from last season, including 74 percent on offense.
 
SERIES HISTORY: Lions and Tigers — oh my. This will be the second all-time meeting between UNA and Memphis. The Tigers won 59-0 at the end of the 2022 season.
 
NORTH ALABAMA vs. FBS: The Lions have played 12 different teams who are currently at the FBS level, some of which were played while members of FCS or Division II. UNA owns claim one of the only Division II over FBS wins in college football history, defeating Louisiana (then Southwestern Louisiana State) by a 48-42 final in four overtimes at Cajun Field in 1997. The Lions have yet to pull an FCS/FBS upset in football since moving to Division I in 2018.
 
MEMPHIS vs. FCS: The Tigers are 10-0 against FCS opponents since 2013.
 
LIBERTY BOWL ADVANTAGE: Memphis is not an easy team to beat on its own field, as the Tigers are one of six teams in FBS with 50 or more home wins since 2014 along with Alabama (65), Clemson (65), Ohio State (61), Georgia (56) and Michigan (56). The Tigers have opened at home in 13 of the last 14 seasons with 10 straight home opening wins over that span.
 
NO PUSHOVERS: Over the last two seasons, UNA has played one of the hardest schedules in FCS football, ranking second in strength of schedule last season. The trend continues into 2024 as SEMO was receiving votes in the preseason FCS coaches poll, while Memphis is receiving votes in both major FBS polls. Memphis marks the fifth straight opponent for UNA either ranked or receiving votes. Under Coach Brent Dearmon, 10 of UNA's 13 opponents, including Memphis, are either ranked or receiving votes at the time of play. Dearmon is 2-1 against the three opponents not in that category (wins over Utah Tech and Tennessee Tech, loss to Abilene Christian).
 
POSTING A HUNDRED: Junior transfer Jayvian Allen totaled 13 carries for 100 yards and a touchdown last week against SEMO, becoming the first UNA running back to rush for 100 yards in a season opener since Terence Humphrey in 2019. He was also the seventh running back to eclipse the mark in FCS Kickoff game history, which spans 10 seasons.
 
REDDICK RUNS RAMPANT: Redshirt senior Gregory Reddick was the defensive leader last week, earning United Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Monday. He finished with 12 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, a sack, a forced fumble and a hurry. He was the second-leading tackler in FCS following week zero, which included six FCS teams.
 
BRATTON FITTING IN: A former player at UAB in the American Athletic Conference, redshirt senior linebacker Jackson Bratton made his debut for North Alabama last week with 10 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss. Bratton was the second-leading tackler at UAB last season.

BOTH SIDES: Redshirt senior linebacker Rush Lansdell returns to his roots this weekend, as the second-year Lions spent two seasons at Memphis in 2021 and 2022. The Columbia native also redshirted one season at UT Martin, who the Lions will face in two weeks.
 
BACK HOME: The Lions have two players from Memphis, including starting defensive back Jermaine Ray Jr. and reserve offensive lineman Hayden Edge. They are two of 11 players on the roster from the state of Tennessee.
 
VOLUNTEER STATE VISITORS: Saturday will mark the 117th game for UNA against a team from the state of Tennessee. This includes 14 different schools, starting with Austin Peay and Bethel College in 1949. Over the last three season, the state of Tennessee produced more opponents for UNA than any other state, including four in 2022, four in 2023 and three in 2024. UNA has a 67-47-2 record against Tennessee schools.
 
NEXT ON THE DOCKET: Next week, the Lions will host Illinois State for the home opener on Saturday, Sept. 7 at 6 p.m. inside Braly Stadium. This will be the first all-time meeting between the two schools.
 
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.