JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – In the first meeting between North Alabama and 13^th ranked Jacksonville State as FCS peers, the Gamecocks scored 23 first-half points and went on to a 30-12 win over the Lions at Burgess-Snow Field.

With the loss, UNA is now 1-3, while Jacksonville State improved to 3-1.
 
UNA had a chance to tie the game early in the second quarter but a missed PAT left the Lions trailing 7-6. JSU then scored 17 straight to take a 23-6 lead at intermission. It was the first time this season that the Lions have trailed at the half in four games.
 
UNA threw an interception in the end zone just before the half and held the Gamecocks scoreless in the third quarter while adding a TD to pull within 11. The Lions could not get any closer.
 
Jacksonville State put points on the board on the game's opening possession, marching 75 yards in 15 plays to the end zone. Quarterback Zerrick Cooper hit Josh Cooper with a 12-yard pass with 7:41 left in the first quarter and Bryant Wallace's PAT made it 7-0.
 
North Alabama got a touchdown early in the second quarter as Terence Humphrey capped an eight-play, 55-yard drive with a one-yard run around right end. Joe Gurley's extra-point attempt was wide but UNA had cut the lead to 7-6 at 14:19 of the period.
 
JSU answered with a TD drive as Jaelen Greene broke a 22-yard run up the middle at 11:25 of the second quarter. Wallace's kick was wide but JSU pushed its advantage to 13-6.
 
On the ensuing kickoff, North Alabama couldn't handle the ball and JSU recovered the muffed return at UNA's 14. The Lions' defense held and Wallace kicked a 27-yard field goal to make it 16-6 at 9:52 of the second period.
 
The Gamecocks struck quickly for their next score as Cooper hit Pearson with a 67-yard TD pass at 6:49 of the second quarter. Wallace's PAT made it 23-6.
 
North Alabama drove to the JSU six-yard line in the closing minute of the half but a Christian Lopez into the end zone was intercepted by Traco Williams to end the threat.
 
UNA got its second score of the night late in the third quarter as Lopez hit Andre Little with a 15-yard touchdown strike at the 5:05 mark of the third. Gurley's extra-point attempt was again wide and JSU led 23-12.
 
North Alabama missed a scoring opportunity in the fourth quarter when Gurley was wide on a 48-yard field goal attempt. It was his first miss in eight tries this season. JSU immediately responded and scored three plays later on a 53-yard pass from Cooper to Pearson. Wallace's PAT made it 30-12.
 
Jacksonville State held a slight advantage in total offense, 373 to 347. Lopez was 21-of-40 for the Lions for 252 yards and one touchdown. Jakobi Byrd led Lion receivers with eight catches for 85 yards.
 
North Alabama returns home to host Presbyterian for Homecoming at 3 p.m. on September 28.