FLORENCE, Ala. (October 19, 2023) – The University of North Alabama football team will be "back in black" this Saturday, Oct. 21 as the Lions welcome Utah Tech to Braly Stadium for a 6 p.m. kickoff.
The Lions return home for the first time in three weeks following a bye week and a long road trip to West Texas to take on Abilene Christian.
Below are the things to know for Saturday's game against the Trailblazers.
1. KICKOFF: The Lions and Trailblazers will officially kickoff at 6:02 p.m. from Braly Stadium.
2. BACK IN BLACK: For the first time since 2011, UNA Football will wear a black alternate uniform as part of a "Halloween" theme. UNA has worn black uniforms two other known times, including a 2010 home win against West Alabama and a 2011 overtime thriller against Delta State. UNA defeated the Tigers 24-23 in 2010, while falling 30-24 in OT to the Statesmen in a battle of the top two ranked teams in NCAA Division II.
3. A MODERN BUT TRADITIONAL LOOK: While the Lions will debut black jerseys and black pants on Saturday, the uniforms will retain a bit of tradition with the classic "purple star" helmets and purple trim on the sleeves. Also, much like the black jerseys from a decade ago, the text "Lions" will be scripted above the numbers.
4. YOUR CHOICE: The team will be wearing black, but fans are encouraged to wear any of their favorite UNA colors to the game or to dress up in their favorite Halloween costumes.
5. TRICK OR TREAT: This Saturday at Spirit Hill, all families are invited to "trick or treat" during tailgating from 4:00-5:30 p.m.
6. TICKETS: Season tickets and single game tickets, as well as other bundle options, are available by calling 256-765-5466 (LION) or by emailing
athleticstickets@una.edu. Tickets to the game are available for as low as $20. The game day ticket window will open at 4 p.m.
Click here for more info.
7. ACCESS YOUR TICKETS: The UNA Ticket Office put together three videos to help fans download and access their tickets this season. Click the links below to access tickets on your device or call 256-765-5466 for assistance.
WEBSITE |
ANDRIOD |
APPLE
8. CASHLESS VENUE: Braly Stadium is a cashless venue this season. Fans are encouraged to prepare accordingly to make purchases by card.
9. BAG POLICY: Fans are encouraged to review the bag policy before arriving to the stadium, as many bag types are prohibited inside Braly Stadium. Approved bags include clear totes, resealable freezer storage bags, small clutch bags, seat cushions with no pockets and small diaper bags with the accompaniment of a child. For more information on which types of bags are approved and which types are prohibited,
click here.
10. PROHIBITED ITEMS: Braly Stadium prohibits firearms of any kind, knives, umbrellas, artificial noise makers (electronic megaphones, blowhorns, airhorns, etc.), tobacco products (vape, cigarettes, cigars, etc.) and pets and animals of any kind. Service animals with proper identification are allowed.
11. PARKING: Lot D parking is available for purchase behind Florence Middle School and at the old baseball field at the corner of East Irvine Avenue and Grady Liles Road. Additional parking can be found at the Royal Avenue Center pool lo, as well as the tennis courts for $12. For a parking map for Saturday's game,
click here.
12. SHUTTLE BUS PARKING: UNA will have four parking lots available for fans to park and shuttle to the stadium — three of which are on UNA's campus. The shuttle lots include Jackson Heights Church of Christ, the front of Rice and Rivers Hall, Appleby Hall and the Wendall Gunn Commons parking lot. The shuttles run throughout the day, including before and after the game. For more information,
click here.
13. TAILGATING: A number of roads surrounding Braly Stadium will be closed a few hours before kickoff for tailgating, specifically Royal Avenue. Fans are encouraged to plan accordingly. Parking lots open three hours prior to kickoff. Tailgating will take place on Spirit Hill presented by Bud Light and outside of Braly Stadium. Spirit Hill tailgating spots are sold out for Saturday's game, but fans are encouraged to join in on the festivities around the stadium.
14. FOOD TRUCKS: UNA Athletics will partner with a number of food trucks this season for all home football games. For this Saturday, fans can visit four different vendors along North Royal Avenue, including Cheez-tah Chics, Quench, Smile Beverage Co. and Whole Hog Express. For a food truck map,
click here.
15. PEP RALLY: UNA will host a game day pep rally at 3:30 p.m. on Spirit Hill with the North Alabama Marching Pride, the UNA cheer and dance team and mascots, Leo and Una. This will take place just before the team arrives via buses for the Lion Walk — which take place two hours and 15 minutes before all home games.
16. LION WALK: One of UNA's oldest traditions, the Lion Walk, will take place at 3:45 p.m. starting at Spirit Hill and ending when the team enters the stadium through the North End Zone — the side with the videoboard closest to the home locker rooms. Fans are encouraged to cheer on the Lions as they walk toward the stadium.
17. GAME PROGRAM: This season, game day programs will be shifting to an electronic format and are free of charge. QR codes will be available to fans throughout the stadium to download the program, which includes rosters, depth charts and more. Fans can also
access game programs at roarlions.com.
18. DOWNLOAD OUR APP: Fans are also encouraged to download the Roar Lions app, available on
Google Play and the
Apple App Store. The app was launched this past month and includes ticket information, team shop, game programs, schedules, rosters and links to watch and listen to the games online.
19. WATCH ON ESPN+: Saturday's game will stream on ESPN+ featuring "Voice of the Lions" Benjamin Ray on play-by-play and Bryan Neece as the color analyst. Fans can tune in at 6 p.m.
at this link or on the ESPN app.
20. CATCH THE LIONS ON THE RADIO: Fans are encouraged to listen to the UNA Lions Sports Network all season long on WLX Radio — 98.3 FM and 103.5 FM in the Shoals or worldwide on the WLX App or
at this link. Play-by-play announcer Seth Cain will be joined by former UNA quarterback Jacob Tucker in the booth. Austin Collette will be on the sidelines. The UNA radio broadcast will begin at 5 p.m. with the "Countdown to Kickoff" featuring all three members of the broadcast team.
21. LIVE STATS: Fans who are interested in following live stats can do so via
StatBroadcast.
22. 75TH SEASON OF UNA FOOTBALL: The 2023 season marks the 75th year of North Alabama Football. UNA has an all-time record of 482-303-16, while boasting 21 NCAA playoff appearances, 17 conference championships and three national championships. This season marks UNA's sixth at the FCS level and just the second as a full-fledged member.
23. A NEW ERA, A NEW CONFERENCE: The Lions are one of the charter members of the newly-formed United Athletic Conference (UAC) and are the first UAC team to ever compete in a football game representing the conference. The new league includes Abilene Christian, Austin Peay, Central Arkansas, Eastern Kentucky, Southern Utah, Stephen F. Austin, Tarleton State and Utah Tech. Former Gulf South Conference rival West Georgia will join in 2024, while UTRGV will join in 2025.
24. SERIES HISTORY: The Lions and Trailblazers will play for the first time on Saturday. This will also mark UNA's first home game against a team from Utah. The Lions have made two trips to the Beehive State, including the program's first FCS era win at Southern Utah in 2018 and a trip to FBS No. 8 BYU in 2020, led by current New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson.
25. UNA FOOTBALL HOUR ON TUESDAYS: Fans are reminded to head over to 306 Barbecue in downtown Florence every Tuesday during football season for the UNA Football Hour with Coach
Brent Dearmon. The show begins at 6:30 p.m. and will air on WLX Radio (98.3/103.5 FM) and on the WLX app. The show will also air live at 306 BBQ hosted by Benjamin Ray and Mike Ezekiel.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
