PDF Game Notes

FLORENCE, Ala. -- The University of North Alabama football team will close its 2022 season on the road Saturday when the Lions face FBS opponent Memphis at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.

Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. for the first meeting between the two schools in football.

The game will be just the eighth game in UNA's 74-year football history against an FBS school. The Lions are 2-5 all-time against FBS opponents, downing Appalachian State in 1973 and Louisiana (Lafayette) in 1997.

The Lions' last games against FBS schools were in the COVID-shortened 2020 season when UNA faced Liberty, Southern Mississippi and BYU on its four-game schedule. Both BYU and Liberty were ranked in the final AP Top 17 that season.

North Alabama enters Saturday's game trying to avoid just the second 10-loss season in school history. At 1-9, UNA faces a Memphis squad that is 5-5 with two games remaining and looking to push above .500 for the season.

North Alabama has held leads in six of its 10 games this season but the Lions haven't been able to hold them.

Interim head coach and offensive coordinator Ryan Held has the Lions' offense rolling along with 31.4 poiints and 414 total yards per game. But the UNA defense has been battered for 39.8 points and 482 yards per game in thec shool's first season as a full Division I FCS member.  

Despite UNA's struggles as a team this season, sophomore running back ShunDerrick Powell of Hoxie, Ark., has continued to be a bright spot. Powell ranks in the top three in the national rankings in seven categories and leads the nation in total touchdowns and rushing touchdowns with 18. He brings a streak of five consecutive 100-yard rushing games into the contest with Memphis and has had seven 100-yard rushing games this season.

His 1,468 rushing yards this season is a school record and ranks third best in the FCS. Additionally, Powell has scored at least one touchdown in seven straight games and has not lost a fumble all season on 201 carries.

True freshman quarterback Noah Walters has thrown for 2,125 yards and 19 touchdowns this season, both UNA freshman records. He also ranks eighth in the FCS for average yards per completion at 14.66.

He is the trigger man for an offensive attack that has has shown that it can be explosive, with 14 of the Lions' touchdown drives ending in three plays or less. The Lions have also scored 21 of their touchdowns from 30 yards or more, including six touchdowns of 60 yards or longer.  

Powell is on the watch list for the Walter Payton Award as the FCS Player of the Year, and Walters is on the Jerry Rice Award watch list, which goes to the FCS Freshman of the Year.

Memphis is coming off a 26-10 home win over Tulsa last Thursday. That win snapped a streak of four straight close losses to Houston, East Carolina, Tuland and UCF.

The Tigers average 413 yards and 33 points per game, led by quarter Seth Henigan. He has thrown for 2,782 yards and 17 touchdowns this season, while also rushing for 294 yards and four scores.