FLORENCE, Ala. – A 30-yard field goal by Kristov Martinez will 1:12 left in the game lifted fifth ranked Texas A&M-Commerce to an 8-7 win over sixth ranked North Alabama in a defensive battle at Braly Municipal Stadium.
 
UNA held a 7-3 lead with 4:18 left in the game when quarterback Blake Hawkins was tackled in the end zone for a safety, cutting the margin to 7-5. Following the free kick, Texas A&M-Commerce drove to the UNA 13-yard line before attempting the go-ahead field goal.
 
In North Alabama's first game under head coach Chris Willis, the UNA Lions completely dominated the first half of play, holding TAMUC to just 67 total yards. UNA could only manage one score of its own, however, and held that slim 7-0 lead until the 7:15 mark of the third quarter when Martinez hit a 30-yard field goal to get Commerce on the board.
 
UNA finished with 300 total yards, including 242 passing yards from Hawkins. Commerce had 272 total yards, rushing for 93 and passing for 179. The UNA defense picked off three Luis Perez passes but the Lions offense could not turn those pickoffs into points.
 
Late in the first quarter, Hawkins led a four-play, 67-yard drive for the only score of the first half. Hawkins hit Dre Hall with a 20-yard touchdown pass. Chandler Carrera added the extra point to make it 7-0 at 2:39 of the first quarter.
 
Hall's TD gave him the UNA career record for receiving touchdowns with 24. A catch by Hall earlier in the quarter extended his streak of at least one pass reception to 37 straight games, setting another school record. Hall finished the night with 94 yards on six catches and also became UNA's career receiving yards leader with 2,857.
 
The loss snapped a UNA streak of 18 straight regular season wins at home, dating back to 2013.
 
North Alabama has 15 days off before travelling to Valdosta State for its Gulf South Conference opener on September 16.