CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (September 5, 2025) – Fresh off a challenging test against an FBS opponent, the University of North Alabama football team turns its attention to a more familiar foe this Saturday as the Lions battle Southeast Missouri at 6 p.m. in Cape Girardeau, Mo.
As the calendar flips to September, the Lions move on to their first FCS game of the season. It just so happens that the opponent was also UNA's first FCS opponent last season during the Week 0 FCS Kickoff game at the historic Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Ala.
Both UNA and SEMO are on the hunt for their first win of the season. The Lions fell to Conference USA contender Western Kentucky, and the Redhawks lost their opener against Sun Belt contender Arkansas State. Both FBS opponents played in bowl games last season.
For a list of "things to know" for Saturday's game,
click here.
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
North Alabama vs. Southeast Missouri
Date: Saturday, September 6
Time: 6 p.m. CT
Location: Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Stadium: Houck Field
Capacity: 11,015
TV: ESPN+ (Erik Sean, Rick Wieser)
Radio: Roar Lions Productions ("Voice of the Lions"
Benjamin Ray, Bryan Neece,
Chase Glover)
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Tickets: Click Here
Social Media:
@UNAFootball
UNA Game Notes |
Opponent Game Notes |
UAC Notes
NOTABLES
ABOUT THE LIONS: North Alabama enters with an 0-1 record following a 55-6 loss to Western Kentucky — a team that has appeared in six straight bowl games and appeared in the C-USA Championship game last season. Despite the loss, UNA finished with 192 gained rushing yards (when taking out sacks) and did not have any turnovers while on offense.
ABOUT THE REDHAWKS: SEMO fell 42-24 in its season opener at FBS opponent Arkansas State last week. The Redhawks are coming off a successful 9-4 record last season and finished 6-2 in Big South-OVC play, making an appearance in the first round of the FCS Playoffs. SEMO owns a 21-13 record in home openers since moving to FCS and have a 7-4 record in such games under head coach Tom Matukewicz.
SERIES HISTORY: This will be the third all-time meeting between UNA and SEMO. The series is split 1-1. UNA won the first meeting with SEMO by a 63-13 final all the way back in 1956 — 69 years ago. After nearly seven decades, the teams met again in 2024 in the FCS Kickoff on ESPN, where SEMO won 37-15. This will be UNA's first trip to Cape Girardeau all-time.
A MILESTONE WIN: The 63-13 win over SEMO in 1956 carries a lot of meaning, even today. UNA restored the football program in 1949 and earned its 50th all-time win against SEMO in 1956. The score remains tied for eighth on UNA's all-time list for largest win margin, while ranking fifth all-time for the most points scored in a game. The 63 points set a school record that lasted 37 years until it was broken against West Alabama with a 65-15 win in 1993. That team went on to win the first of three Division II National Championships under Hall of Fame Coach Bobby Wallace. Wallace was only two years old when UNA defeated SEMO in 1956.
JUICE CAN GET LOOSE: In last season's FCS Kickoff,
Jayvian Allen made his debut at runningback for the Lions. The now-senior captain rushed 13 times for 100 yards, becoming the first Lion since 2019 to rush for 100 yards in a season opener. He also became just the seventh player in FCS Kickoff history to eclipse 100 yards.
VINTAGE VACHON: Redshirt junior kicker
Ian Vachon, a transfer from Auburn, made his debut for the Lions at kicker last week at WKU. He made both of his field goals from 25 and 47 yards. The latter marked UNA's longest field goal since Joe Gurley's 48-yarder in the 2019 season opener against Western Illinois. Vachon also had a touchback on all three of his kickoffs at WKU.
PEGUES ON THE WING: Last week's leading receiver was
Justin Pegues, who had five catches for 52 yards, including a 24 yard grab on a pass from quarterback
Ari Patu. The Bowling Green transfer was a CFN All-MAC Honorable Mention at kick returner and is expected to continue his impact on the return game and passing offense at UNA.
ROBINSON WREAKING HAVOC: Making his UNA debut last week, Georgia Southern transfer
Demarcious Robinson logged 50 snaps at linebacker and racked up a team-high eight tackles. He joins junior captain
Seth Hampton, sophomore
Tango McCauley Jr. and senior
Jahbari Hill in the linebacker room this season.
WATCH FOR WATFORD: Junior punter
Adam Watford currently ranks 15th in FCS and second in the United Athletic Conference with 45.8 yards per punt. This includes a 66 yard punt last week at WKU. Watford was an FCS Football Central Freshman All-American in 2023.
UAC ROUNDUP: All nine teams from the UAC are in action this week, including five road games and four home games. No. 3 Tarleton State, No. 16 Abilene Christian, Central Arkansas, Eastern Kentucky will all host FCS opponents, including a ranked matchup against ACU and No. 23 Stephen F. Austin. Austin Peay will travel to Georgia, while UNA, West Georgia, Utah Tech and No. 24 Southern Utah will all play FCS road games. Seven UAC teams are ranked or receiving votes this week.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
