FLORENCE, Ala. (March 20, 2024) – The spring is coming to a close for the University of North Alabama football program, as the Lions will hold its annual spring game on Thursday, March 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the Bill Jones Athletic Complex.
Below are the top things to know for this year's "Purple vs. White" Spring Game.
1. FREE ADMISSION: The event is free admission and open to the public.
2. GET THE VIP TREATMENT: Limited spots are still available for the VIP tent with food, drinks and spirits. To reserve a spot, email bbond@una.edu, call 256-765-5466 or click here.
3. FOOD TRUCKS: Beginning at 4:30 p.m. the Bill Jones Athletic Complex parking lot will have six food trucks vendors available for fans, including Spark's BBQ, Da Big Italian, Kona Ice, Donut NV, Quench and Smile Beverage Co.
4. PARKING: The Bill Jones Athletic Complex parking lot will be blocked off to accommodate the food truck vendors. Fans are encouraged to seek parking across the street below Rice and Rivers Hall, along Stewart Avenue or in the parking lot below CB&S Bank Arena and Flowers Hall, among other nearby lots.
5. BRING A LAWN CHAIR: There will be limited bleachers and chairs, as fans are encouraged to bring their own chairs, blankets, etc. to the Bill Jones Athletic Complex.
6. ALUMNI GAME POSTPONED: The annual alumni football game has been postponed to the fall football season. This was originally scheduled for 5 p.m. A new date will be announced in the coming months. The game is named in honor of former UNA running back Demarcus Blount, who passed away last month. Blount played at UNA from 2002-05 and holds the school record for career rushing touchdowns.
7. POST-GAME FIREWORKS: After the football game ends, there will be a fireworks show presented by TNT Fireworks. Fans are encouraged to prepare accordingly after the game.
8. GOLF OUTING: The festivities will continue into Friday morning, as the Lions will host the 2024 North Alabama Football Golf Tournament at 9 a.m. at Cypress Lakes Golf Course.
9. HONORARY CAPTAINS: Prior to kickoff at 6:30 p.m. UNA will have a coin toss featuring honorary captains Jean Ann Helm Allen and Jon Allen, who represent the UNA College of Education and Human Sciences.
10. LIKE A REAL GAME: Like a standard fall football game, the UNA Spring Game will have four 15 minute quarters, but the clock will continue to run on incomplete passes, out of bounds plays, scores, etc. The scoring will also be standard with touchdowns, field goals and safetys.
11. SPLIT STAFFS: The coaching staff has split into two teams for the spring game. Team White will be led by offensive coordinator Kevin Wewers, while Team Purple will be led by defensive coordinator Brock Caraboa.
12. DRAFTED TEAMS: This season, UNA head coach Brent Dearmon commissioned the 2024 UNA Spring Football Draft. The first round started last Thursday, as Team White selected offensive tackle Witt Mitchum with the first overall pick. Team Purple countered by selecting center Gage Saint. The rest of the draft took place Friday and can be viewed at this link.
13. WHO'S ON WHAT TEAM: To view the two rosters by position, click here.
14. KICKOFFS: Kickoffs will start each half and follow every scoring drive, like a normal game. If the kickoff reaches the end zone or has a 4.2 hang time, the offense will start at the 25 yard line. Any other result will put the ball at the 35 yard line. From there, it's standard offense vs. defense.
15. PUNTS: Instead of 11-on-11 for punting situations, punts will be 3-on-3. Punts can be returned for a maximum of 30 yards from where the ball is caught.
16. FIELD GOALS AND PATS: All field goals and PATs are live action with the exception of the 47, 52 and 57 yard field goal attempts at the end of the first three quarters.
17. DIRECTIONS MATTER: If the offense scores a touchdown in the East end zone closest to Pine Street, that team has the option to kick an extra point or go for two points. If the offense scores in the West end zone near the tower, that team will be forced to go for two.
18. OVERTIME DRIVE: At the end of the first half, the UNA alumni gets involved in the action. Former standouts Jacob Tucker and Sam Hathorn will be on opposing sidelines as coaches calling plays.
19. STARTING EARLY: UNA will host the first spring game in the United Athletic Conference this offseason, as the other nine teams will play their games in April.
20. ALSO KICKING OFF EARLY: The early spring start is apropos, as UNA will also be the first FCS team to play a regular season game. The Lions kick off the 2024 season on Saturday, August 24 against Illinois State at the FCS Kickoff in Montgomery, Ala. The game will be played at the history Cramton Bowl and will air nationally on the ESPN family of networks. To view the full schedule, click here.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
