FLORENCE, Ala. (December 2, 2024) – The University of North Alabama and the United Athletic Conference made a dual announcement of the 2025 football schedule Monday afternoon, as the Lions are slated to play 12 games next season.
The 2025 season begins at FBS opponent Western Kentucky on Saturday, August 30.
"We are excited to play one of the toughest schedules in FCS football," said UNA head coach Brent Dearmon, who just completed his second season at the helm. "In order to develop into the playoff contender we want to be, we have to play the best. Five teams on the 2025 schedule made the FCS playoffs this past season."
Times and special events will be announced at a later date.
UNA is set to play seven road games and five home games at Braly Stadium. The 2025 season will be the final go-around for UNA at Braly Stadium, which has been home to the Lions since the restart of the program in 1949. UNA will transition to Bobby Wallace Field at Bank Independent Stadium on campus in 2026.
The 2025 schedule includes five FCS playoff teams from this season, as well as a WKU team who will compete for the Conference USA Championship this Saturday. Five of those six games will be on the road.
Of those playoff teams, three of the five advanced to the next round with Tarleton State, Illinois State and Abilene Christian all winning first round games. The other two are Eastern Kentucky, who was inches away from upsetting Villanova in the first round with a foot out of bounds on the final play to fall 22-17, and SEMO, who fell 35-27 in a head-to-head with Illinois State.
Additionally, the Lions will visit six states, including Kentucky, Missouri, Illinois, Texas, Tennessee and Utah. Texas will get two visits from the Purple and Gold next season.
Following week one at WKU, the Lions will travel to SEMO on Sept. 6. UNA's bye will come the following week and will lead into the home opener Sept. 20 against Division II opponent Northeastern State (OK).
UNA hits the road for two more tough matchups against FCS contenders, ending non-conference play at Illinois State on Sept. 27 and starting UAC play the following week at Abilene Christian on Oct. 4.
The Lions will host back-to-back home games on Oct. 11 and Oct. 18 against Central Arkansas and Eastern Kentucky. This comes before back-to-back road games at Austin Peay on Oct. 25 and Utah Tech on Nov. 1. This will be UNA's first trip to Utah Tech after two visits from the Trailblazers the last two seasons.
For the first time since 2016, UNA will host West Georgia when the Wolves come to Florence on Nov. 8. The last time these two former Gulf South Conference rivals met in Florence, both were nationally ranked and the Lions won 24-23 on a missed field goal at the final horn.
UNA's final road trip will be to Texas for a showdown with Tarleton State set for Nov. 15. The regular season finale — and perhaps UNA's final game at Braly Stadium — will be on Nov. 22 against Southern Utah.
Tickets will be available in the coming months. For more information, call 256-765-5466 or click here.
2025 North Alabama Football Schedule
Week 1 Aug. 30 @ Western Kentucky
Week 2 Sept. 6 @ Southeast Missouri
Week 3 Sept. 13 BYE WEEK
Week 4 Sept. 20 Northeastern State
Week 5 Sept. 27 @ Illinois State
Week 6 Oct. 4 @ Abilene Christian
Week 7 Oct. 11 Central Arkansas
Week 8 Oct. 18 Eastern Kentucky
Week 9 Oct. 25 @ Austin Peay
Week 10 Nov. 1 @ Utah Tech
Week 11 Nov. 8 West Georgia
Week 12 Nov. 15 @ Tarleton State
Week 13 Nov. 22 Southern Utah
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
