PENSACOLA, Fla. – The University of North Alabama could not mount any offensive threat and the Lions' defense wore down in the second half as UNA dropped a 30-7 Gulf South Conference road game to West Florida.
 
UNA trailed just 13-7 at the half but the Lions' only points came on a kickoff return for a touchdown. In the second half, West Florida continued to dominate the time of possession and added two touchdowns and a field goal to complete the 23-point win.
 
North Alabama was out-gained 356 yards to 129 and West Florida held a 10-minute advantage in time of possession. UNA rushed for just 35 yards and passed for 94. The Lions were also penalized 10 times for 94 yards.
 
With the loss, North Alabama falls to 4-5 overall and 4-3 in the Gulf South Conference. West Florida improves to 6-3 overall and 4-3 in the GSC.
 
North Alabama ran just six offensive plays in the opening period but ended the quarter with a 7-6 lead.
 
West Florida put together a six-play, 23-yard scoring drive to set up a 36-yard field goal by Austin Williams, giving UWF a 3-0 lead at 7:26 of the first quarter.
 
After UNA's Delvon Carpenter fumbled the ensuing kickoff, West Florida recovered deep in North Alabama territory but the Lions' defense held to force a field goal. Williams was good again from 27 yards to make it 6-0 at 5:20 of the opening period.
 
Carpenter earned quick redemption as he took the next kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown. Chandler Carrera's PAT gave UNA a 7-6 advantage at 5:06 of the first.
 
The defenses continued to dominate most of the first half until the Argonauts put together a four-play, 76-ard scoring drive with 2:08 left in the half. Carlos Ducios pulled in a 28-yard touchdown pass from Mike Beaudry and Williams' PAT made it 13-7.
 
Williams attempted a 57-yard field goal on the final play of the half but came up short and UNA's Dwain Smith returned the kick 51 yards before being stopped at the UWF 49 to end the half.
 
North Alabama was held to just 43 yards on 24 offensive plays in the first half.
 
UNA senior receiver Dre Hall of Columbia, Tenn., caught six passes for 42 yards on the day, and in the process set an all-time NCAA Division II record with at least one pass reception in 45 consecutive games.
 
West Florida padded its lead in the third quarter with a 30-yard touchdown pass from Beaudry to Rodney Coates. Williams added the PAT to make it 20-7 with 7:50 left in the third quarter.
 
Williams kicked his third field goal of the day with 49 seconds left in the third period, this one from 44 yards, to extend the UWF lead to 23-7.
 
West Florida got its third touchdown pass of the night with 8:46 remaining in the game as Beaudry hit Kevin Grant with a seven-yard toss. Williams PAT made it 30-7.
 
North Alabama hosts Mississippi College at Braly Stadium  on November 11 at 1:30 p.m. to close out its regular-season and celebrate Senior Day. 
 



Nick Taylor




Dre Hall catches a pass in an NCAA Division II record 45th consecutive game.