Hampton
Drew Barton
14
Eastern Kentucky EKU 3-4 , 1-2
35
Winner North Alabama UNA 2-5 , 1-2
Eastern Kentucky EKU
3-4 , 1-2
14
Final
35
North Alabama UNA
2-5 , 1-2
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
EKU Eastern Kentucky 0 7 0 7 14
UNA North Alabama 7 7 14 7 35

Game Recap: Football |

Lions trounce Colonels on Homecoming, 35-14

Efficient offensive and tenacious defense shut down Colonels

FLORENCE, Ala. (October 18, 2025) – Saturday was defined by a simple two-word message — cohesive effort.
 
The University of North Alabama football team dominated in every phase from start to finish on Saturday, picking up a much-needed 35-14 win over United Athletic Conference foe Eastern Kentucky to wrap up UNA's Homecoming Weekend at Braly Stadium.
 
The Lions (2-5, 1-2 UAC) never trailed, taking a 14-7 lead with under a minute left in the first half on a hearty touchdown catch-and-run by redshirt freshman Noah Gregg. UNA scored 21 unanswered in the second half and never appeared in danger of losing the lead.
 
While UNA celebrates its first win in conference play, the Colonels drop to 3-4 overall and 1-2 in the UAC. Their only UAC win so far came last week at nationally-ranked Austin Peay, which is UNA's opponent next week.
 
Redshirt sophomore Destin Wade got the nod at quarterback and did not disappoint. His gutsy performance included 21 carries for 109 rushing yards to go with 127 passing yards. He was efficient in both phases, completing 11-of-18 passes for two touchdowns. He also averaged 5.2 yards per carry.
 
While Wade led the ground game in yardage, redshirt senior running back Jayvian Allen set a new career-high with three rushing touchdowns. Allen, commonly known as Juice, ran 13 times for 98 yards. He and Wade combined for 207 of UNA's 285 rushing yards.
 
Allen is the first UNA player to rush for three touchdowns in a game since ShunDerrick Powell in 2022. Powell, fittingly, last did this against EKU.
 
Gregg and senior tight end Kaleb Heatherly caught the two touchdown passes for UNA. This marks the second-career touchdown catch for Heatherly — the first coming last season against Utah Tech. Gregg has caught four touchdowns in the last five games.
 
Defensively, the Lions were stellar. The "Purple Swarm" allowed a season-low 296 yards, including just 134 rushing yards and 165 passing yards. The passing yards are a season-low for UNA's defense, while the rushing yards are a season-low against FCS teams.
 
Senior Demarcious Robinson continues to lead UNA's defense in tackling, recording a team-high nine tackles with five solo. Sophomore Tango McCauley Jr. was also instrumental as he and junior Seth Hampton combined for six — including four solo for McCauley. Five different Lions had stops behind the line of scrimmage, while redshirt senior Michael Jordan Jr. made his first career interception. He now has two turnovers, including a fumble recovery at No. 4 Illinois State.
 
Special teams was also effective, including a perfect 5-for-5 on extra points from true freshman and Florence native Chandler Dixon. Junior punter Adam Watford continued his strong run with four punts, including a long of 49 and two punts inside the 20 yard line.
 
That "cohesive effort" — referenced by Allen, Wade and senior defensive lineman Kaleb Brown in the postgame press conference — was further aided by third down stops by the defense and heavy possession by the offense. EKU finished 4-for-12 on third downs and failed both of its fourth down attempts. The Lions helped keep the defense off the field with over 35 minutes of possession.
 
This marks the second-straight Homecoming win for UNA following last year's 47-34 upset of No. 10 Abilene Christian. Eastern Kentucky was no pushover this season, as the Colonels are receiving votes in the national FCS polls.
 
Tonight was the final night game for UNA at historic Braly Stadium. UNA's remaining home games are afternoon kickoff times. Next season, UNA will move on campus to Bobby Wallace Field at Bank Independent Stadium.


HOW IT HAPPENED
 
FIRST QUARTER
North Alabama 7, Eastern Kentucky 0: The Lions started strong out of the gates, forcing a pair of three-and-outs by EKU on first two possessions. UNA drove to the goal line on its first possession, but stalled at the goal line on 4th and 1. The third drive was the charm, as a shanked punt by EKU set UNA up near the red zone. The first play was a 23-yard pass to Jalyn Daniels, who was out of bounds at the one. Juice Allen punched it in two plays later with 1:13 left in the frame.
 
SECOND QUARTER
North Alabama 7, Eastern Kentucky 7: EKU finally got its offense going in the second quarter, using 11 plays to drive 81 yards to tie the game. A 27-yard pass from Myles Burkett to Marcus Calwise Jr. evened the score with 3:44 left on the clock.
 
North Alabama 14, Eastern Kentucky 7: UNA took over with plenty of time left in the half, marching 75 yards for the go-ahead touchdown with 20 seconds left in the half. The 13-play, 75-yard drive ended with a pass from Wade to Gregg in the red zone. Gregg caught it at the four-yard-line and dodged two would-be tacklers, staying on his feet and scoring the touchdown. EKU had one short offensive play before ending the half.
 
THIRD QUARTER
North Alabama 21, Eastern Kentucky 7: UNA received to start the second half and ultimately took command. The Lions used nine plays to go 82 yards — with all but five yards coming on the ground. Allen, Wade and backup quarterback John Austin Wood nickle-and-dimed down the field to later set up a short five-yard pass from Wade to Heatherly on a right-side boot. Heatherly came off his block and beat his man to the pylon after the catch.
 
North Alabama 28, Eastern Kentucky 7: The Lions continued dominating on defense, getting the ball back with 7:14 remaining in the third quarter. This led to the longest timed drive of the season with 6:55 coming off the clock on 12 plays and 80 yards. Allen ended this drive with his second of three scores — a two-yard touchdown. Senior Justin Pegues had a 13-yard rush and seven yard catch on the drive, while fellow senior LT Sanders added a 12 yard run.
 
FOURTH QUARTER
North Alabama 35, Eastern Kentucky 7: The Lions ended any doubt with 6:28 to go, as Juice Allen ran 23 yards for another touchdown. The drive started at the EKU 30, as the Colonels turned it over on downs just outside their own red zone. Allen made them pay with a breakaway run — his longest of the night. Dixon's extra point increased the lead to 28.
 
North Alabama 35, Eastern Kentucky 14: The game underwent an unfortunate 26-minute delay with an injury to an EKU offensive player with 6:24 left in the contest. Once play resumed, EKU scored a 32-yard touchdown with 3:49 to go. The Colonels had time for one more possession but were stopped before getting to midfield.
 
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
  • UNA improves to a 54-21-1 record in homecoming games.
  • Today marks UNA's first win in the all-time series with EKU. The Colonels won the first three meetings in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
  • Tonight is the first game between UNA and EKU that was decided by more than 10 points.
  • UNA converted five of its six red zone attempts. EKU did not have any red zone opportunities.
  • Today marks UNA's highest time of possession total since Oct. 5, 2024 against Utah Tech.
  • UNA had a season-low for penalties, drawing just four flags for 40 penalty yards. In two of the last three games prior to Saturday, UNA totaled over 100 penalty yards.
  • EKU only had 33 penalty yards, marking 77 combined in the contest. That is also a season-low.
  • The last time UNA won a game by a 35-14 final was in 1968 against Mississippi College. That game was the 100th win for the program.
 
COMING UP NEXT

The Lions hit the road for the next two weeks, starting with a visit to Clarksville, Tenn. to battle nationally-ranked Austin Peay. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. at Fortera Stadium. The Govs are on a bye this week.
 
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on FacebookTwitter and Instagram. 
 
 
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