ABILENE, Texas (October 4, 2025) – The University of North Alabama football team played its United Athletic Conference opener against defending conference champion No. 19 Abilene Christian on Saturday. The Lions fell by a 52-23 final in Abilene, Texas.
 
After a historic win over the nationally-ranked Wildcats last season, North Alabama (1-4, 0-1 UAC) was unable to steal one on the road. Last year's win was UNA's first over a ranked FCS team in school history — a 47-34 Homecoming win at Braly Stadium.
 
Meanwhile, Abilene Christian (3-3, 2-0 UAC) extends a seven-game home winning streak. The Wildcats have won nine of their last 10 games against conference opponents — the only loss coming to UNA last season.
 
The Lions had a highlight-reel touchdown from senior running back Jayvian Allen in the first half, who finished with 11 carries for 102 yards and a touchdown. Allen's 29-yard touchdown run included multiple broken tackles, as he spun out of a sea of purple and sprinted to paydirt with nobody in front of him.
 
The 102 yards is a new career-high for Allen — a.k.a "Juice" — while marking his second 100-yard rushing performance as a Lion. The first came against SEMO in the 2024 season opener with exactly 100 yards rushing.
 
Senior Demarcious Robinson was the clear leader defensively, racking up a career-high 13 tackles with eight solo. He added two tackles for loss and grabbed his first career interception to end the first half and stop ACU in the red zone. Junior captain Seth Hampton added seven tackles.
 
Seven UNA defenders had at least one hurry or pass breakup.
 
Redshirt senior DC Tabscott took over at quarterback in the second half this afternoon and went 11-24 for 134 yards and two touchdowns. His first touchdown pass went to junior Kaden Cooper, who secured a 15-yard catch despite a targeting hit as he came down with it in the end zone. The second one went to redshirt senior Tanaka Scott after a recovered onside kick early in the fourth quarter.
 
Scott led the receivers with four catches for 60 yards and a score.
 
The Lions return home for two straight weeks, starting next Saturday against Central Arkansas. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. at Braly Stadium. The following week, UNA will welcome EKU for Homecoming and Hall of Fame Weekend on Oct. 18 with kickoff at 6 p.m.
 
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