FLORENCE, Ala. (October 10, 2025) – A classic rivalry from a successful era of North Alabama Football will take centerstage on Saturday, as the Lions welcome United Athletic Conference rival Central Arkansas to historic Braly Stadium in Florence.
Kickoff from Braly Stadium is set for 3 p.m.
This year marks the 77th — and final — season for UNA at Braly Stadium. As part of the sendoff, UNA Athletics will honor different eras of the football program at select games. This Saturday's game will recognize the 2000s era, as the Lions will wear the classic "UNA Scratch Marks" logo on their helmets as worn from 2002-2004.
For a list of "things to know" for Saturday's game,
click here.
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
North Alabama vs. Central Arkansas
Date: Saturday, October 11
Time: 3 p.m. CT
Location: Florence, Alabama
Stadium: Braly Stadium
Capacity: 14,215
TV: ESPN+ ("Voice of the Lions"
Benjamin Ray, Bryan Neece, Arielle Schafer)
Radio: Roar Lions Productions (Jordan Campbell, Jacob Tucker,
Chase Glover)
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Tickets: Click Here
Social Media:
@UNAFootball
UNA Game Notes |
Opponent Game Notes |
UAC Notes
NOTABLES
ABOUT THE LIONS: North Alabama enters with a 1-4 record but will look to improve to a 2-0 record at home on Saturday. Last week, the Lions fell 52-23 on the road to nationally-ranked Abilene Christian, as the Wildcats avenged a loss to UNA last season. UNA has played four of its five games away from home, including losses to FBS Western Kentucky and ranked opponents Illinois State and ACU. The Lions are averaging 27.0 points per game offensively.
ABOUT THE BEARS: Central Arkansas has a 2-4 record this season, including home wins over Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Utah Tech. All four losses have come to ranked or vote-receiving opponents, including FBS No. 14 Missouri and FCS No. 3 Tarleton State, No. 20 Lamar and Sacramento State. The Bears average 21.3 PPG on offense.
SERIES HISTORY: Saturday will mark the 24th meeting between UNA and Central Arkansas, dating back to 1951. The Lions have a 15-8 record against the Bears. Neither team has won four in a row in this series, as the Bears will look to do that Saturday. On the other side, UNA will look to start a new winning streak against the Bears. The last three-game win streak for UNA in the series spanned from 2002-04 — which were the only three seasons UNA wore the "Scratch Marks" logo on the helmet.
WHAT A RUSH: UNA's offense has primarily been on the ground, ranking 16th in FCS with 202.2 rushing yards per game. This also ranks third in the UAC behind frontrunners Tarleton State and West Georgia. UNA is also top three in the UAC with just 156.8 yards per game allowed.
JUICE GOT LOOSE: Redshirt senior running back
Jayvian Allen rushed 11 times for 102 yards and a touchdown last week against No. 19 Abilene Christian, setting a new career high in rushing yards. This was his second 100-yard rushing game — the first coming at last season's FCS Kickoff game against SEMO in Montgomery.
THE STABLE: Juice Allen is joined in the backfield by fellow seniors
Jalyn Daniels and
LT Sanders. Daniels, who has battled injuries the last two seasons, is rushing for 10.6 yards per carry with 20 carries for 211 yards. Daniels is averaging 10.5 yards per carry for his career, including 13.9 yards per carry before a season-ending injury just three games into the 2023 season. Sanders has 17 carries for 101 yards this season. Each player has a touchdown.
PASSING PROTECTIVELY: Five UNA quarterbacks have appeared for the Lions this season with starters
Ari Patu and
Destin Wade leading the charge. The Lions have nine passing touchdowns to just two interceptions this season, sitting as one of 30 FCS teams with two or fewer interceptions thrown this season.
TACKLING MACHINES: Linebackers
Demarcious Robinson and
Seth Hampton have been the defensive leaders for UNA this season, combining for 72 tackles. Robinson has 41 tackles with 23 solo while also leading the team with 6.0 tackles for loss and two sacks. Robinson had a career-high 13 tackles with eight solo and an interception. Hampton has 31 tackles to his name.
BIG BOOT WATFORD: The Lions are one of the top 10 teams in net punting this season thanks in large part to
Adam Watford. The junior ranks ninth individually and atop the UAC with 45.9 yards per punt. Watford has landed at least one 50 yard punt in every game this season, including a whopping 66 yarder against WKU. The former FCS Freshman All-American also has six punts that have landed inside the 20.
UAC ROUNDUP: Eight of the nine UAC members are in action this week, headlined by a nationally-ranked matchup between No. 19 Abilene Christian and No. 21 West Georgia in Carrollton, Ga. at 2 p.m. The Lions and Bears are the other afternoon game at 3 p.m. The nightcap games include No. 15 Austin Peay at EKU, followed by No. 3 Tarleton State at Utah Tech. Southern Utah is on bye this week.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
