BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (August 28, 2025) – The 2025 football season has arrived, as the University of North Alabama opens the new campaign on Saturday, August 30 at Western Kentucky.
 
Here are the top things to know for Saturday's season opener.
 
1. KICKOFF: The Lions and Hilltoppers will kickoff at 6 p.m. inside Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium.
 
2. TICKETS: Tickets are available at this link. The designated UNA sections of the stadium are 135 and 136. Fans can also contact the UNA ticket office at 256-765-5466 (LION) for more information.
 
3. PARKING: Free parking near the stadium is available four hours prior to kickoff in the PS1 lot, as well as three parking lots with shuttle service free of charge — Russellville Road West Lot, Creason Lot and Kentucky St. Lot. For more information, click here.
 
4. MUGSHOTS WATCH PARTY: Fans who are not making the trip to WKU are encouraged to join our watch party at Mugshots in Downtown Florence. The broadcast will begin at 6 p.m. Mugshots is the official UNA Watch Party location for away football games this season.
 
5. WATCH ON ESPN+: Saturday's game will stream on ESPN+ with Jesse Ough and Terry Obee on the call. Fans can tune in at 6 p.m. at this link or on the ESPN app.
 
6. NEW RADIO HOME: This season, the Lions are moving to the fastest growing digital radio platform in college football, The Varsity Network. Fans can listen free of charge to all UNA football games on the Varsity Network app or on roarlions.com/watch. The broadcast is also available on Facebook, X, YouTube and Twitch. "Voice of the Lions" Benjamin Ray and color analyst Bryan Neece will be the radio broadcast team for Saturday. The Countdown to Kickoff Presented by Bank Independent begins at 5 p.m. followed by kickoff at 6 p.m.
 
7. LIVE STATS: Fans who are interested in following live stats can do so via SIDEARM.
 
8. SERIES HISTORY: This will mark the first all-time meeting between UNA and WKU.
 
9. UNA vs. THE BLUEGRASS STATE: The Lions have a 6-6 record against the state of Kentucky, including a 5-3 record against Murray State that spans from 1954-61. In 2012, UNA hosted Kentucky Christian and won a 39-0 shutout. The Lions have also played Eastern Kentucky the last three seasons in conference play. Both enter their third seasons as part of the United Athletic Conference. Prior to 2022, UNA's most recent trip to Kentucky for football was a 9-6 win at Murray State in 1961.
 
10. UNA vs. FBS SCHOOLS: UNA seeks its first win over an FBS opponent since 1997. In fact, UNA is the last Division II school to defeat an FBS opponent with a 48-42 win over Southwestern Louisiana State — now known as the Louisiana Rajin' Cajuns. The game went into four overtimes, ending with an interception by Chad Sears and a 20-yard touchdown run by Greg Manson. The Lions transitioned from Division II to FCS in 2018.
 
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.