ROME, Ga. – Nineteenth ranked North Alabama built a 28-7 halftime lead and held on for a 21-point Gulf South Conference win over Shorter after a scoreless second half.
With the win North Alabama improves to 7-2 overall and 5-1 in the GSC. Shorter falls to 2-7 and 1-5 in the GSC.
The UNA defense was solid all day, holding the GSC's top rushing team to just 233 total yards. Shorter entered the game averaging 299 yards rushing and 360 total yards. The Hawks rushed for 233 and failed to complete a pass.
UNA had 392 yards, rushing for 221 and throwing for 171. The Lions gained just 117 yards in the second half.
With 132 rushing yards in the game, UNA senior running back
Lamonte Thompson became the Lions' first 1,000-yard rusher in a season since Greg Manson in 1997. Thompson now has 1,031 yards in 2015 and 3,343 for his career at UNA.
North Alabama took control of the game with four touchdown drives in the first half.
The Lions squandered a scoring opportunity on their opening possession when a 41-yard field goal attempt by
Kevin Henke was blocked. UNA immediately got the ball back, however, when
Eddrick Harris recovered a Shorter fumble at the Hawks 34-yard line. UNA's
Luke Wingo then hit
Grant Lake for a touchdown pass on the next play and the Lions went on top 7-0 at 11:27 of the first quarter.
UNA drove 50 yards in five plays on its next possession for a touchdown as
Diamond Simmons circled right end from seven yards out. Henke's PAT made it 14-0 at 7:49 of the first quarter.
The GSC's leading rusher B.J. McCoy went 31 yards for a touchdown for a score for Shorter to cut the lead to 14-7 at 5:49 of the first quarter. It was the first offensive touchdown scored by Shorter against the Lions in the four all-time series meetings.
UNA got back on the board early in the second quarter with a 10-play, 69-yard touchdown drive.
Jacob Tucker scored on a three-yard run and Henke's PAT made it 21-7.
An interception by
James Rivers set up the Lions final score of the half. The touchdown came on a four-yard run by
Lamonte Thompson with just 3:21 left in the half to cap a 10-play, 63-yard drive.
UNA led 28-7 at the half and out-gained Shorter 275 yards to 141.
North Alabama closes its regular season on November 14 at home against West Alabama at 1:30 at Braly Stadium.
