CONWAY, Ark. (October 30, 2026) – The University of North Alabama football team hits the road for Halloween weekend to begin its final four game stretch, as the Lions will battle Central Arkansas on Saturday at 4 p.m. in Conway, Ark.
The game will be broadcasted on ESPN+ with Dylan McLemore and Wes Moore on the call.
UNA's local radio team will have the hometown broadcast with the longest-tenured radio duo in UNA football history on the call — "Voice of the Lions"
Benjamin Ray and Bryan Neece. Studio host and sideline reporter
Chase Glover will lead The Countdown to Kickoff presented by Bank Independent beginning at 2 p.m. Fans can tune in on all
Roar Lions Productions platforms.
For a list of "things to know" for Saturday's game,
click here.
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
North Alabama vs. Central Arkansas
Date: Saturday, October 31
Time: 4 p.m.
Location: Conway, Arkansas
Stadium: First Security Field at Estes Stadium
Capacity: 10,000
TV: ESPN+ (Dylan McLemore, Wes Moore)
Radio: Roar Lions Productions ("Voice of the Lions"
Benjamin Ray, Bryan Neece,
Chase Glover)
Live Stats: SIDEARM Stats
Tickets: Click Here
Social Media:
@UNAFootball
UNA Game Notes |
Opponent and UAC Notes
NOTABLES
LAST TIME OUT: North Alabama went down to the wire with ninth-ranked Austin Peay on Saturday, fumbling a potential game-winning drive with under two minutes remaining and allowing Austin Peay to escape with a 27-21 win at Bank Independent Stadium. Despite the loss, UNA outgained Austin Peay both through the air and on the ground with 381 total yards.
ABOUT THE LIONS: UNA is currently 4-4 this season, marking the best start since UNA's first season at the FCS level in 2018. UNA was also receiving votes in the national FCS polls two weeks ago for the first time since 2019. The Lions rank second in the UAC in total defense and first in rushing defense with just 103.9 yards per game allowed.
THE REMAINING ROAD AHEAD: With a 4-4 record and only three FCS losses, the Lions are still likely in the hunt for their first FCS playoff berth but have little room for error with four games remaining. The next three games include a road trip to 2-6 Central Arkansas, a home game against West Florida who is currently 4-3 with a 1-3 record in league play and a road finale at 1-7 West Georgia. The final game of the year is at home against top-ranked and undefeated Tarleton State.
ABOUT THE OPPONENT: Central Arkansas has a 2-6 overall record and remains on the hunt for its first UAC win with an 0-3 start to league play. The Bears are on a five game losing streak, including a 30-27 overtime loss to UTRGV last week in Conway. UCA is the third-ranked scoring offense in the UAC with 25.1 points per game, but it allows 30.8 PPG to rank second-to-last in the league ahead of West Georgia. Despite their record, the Bears posted 35 points in a loss to top-ranked Tarleton State — the most by any of Tarleton's opponents this season.
SERIES HISTORY: Saturday will mark the 25th meeting between UNA and Central Arkansas dating back to 1951. The Lions lead the series 15-9. Last year's win by Central Arkansas marked the first four-game streak for either team in the series. UNA hunts its first win in the series since 2005.
ROOKIE SENSATION: Redshirt freshman
Xavier Johnson — a transfer from Memphis — currenty ranks top five in the country with 814 receiving yards and 101.8 yards per game. Johnson was recently named to the Jerry Rice Award Watch List as one of the nation's top freshman players. He is also one of just two players in FCS this season with a 75+ yard rush and 75+ yard catch this season along with Eli Gillman from Montana.
RECORD WATCH: Two Lions have already broken FCS school records and are on all-time record watch in the final four games. Both were also voted Phil Steele Midseason All-Americans — redshirt freshman wide receiver
Xavier Johnson and redshirt junior edge rusher
Avery Howard. Johnson set the single season receiving record with 814 yards and is 11th on the all-time single-season receiving list at UNA. The record is held by Dre Hall at 1,179 in 2016. The other FCS school record was for single season sacks set by Howard with seven. He is four away from Reginald Ruffin's record of 11 set in 1994.
WE HAVE A LEADER: Quarterback
Destin Wade has been instrumental for the Lions this season, ranking fourth in the UAC with 206.1 yards per game passing this season. He is also tied for the UAC lead in rushing touchdowns this season with nine. Wade ranks ninth in the country when it comes to passing yards per completion, totaling 14.2 yards per throw on average. He is also 10th in the nation for fewest interceptions thrown with just three in his eight games this season.
DEFENSE ON LOCKDOWN: UNA has one of the top defenses in FCS, ranking fourth in the nation in sacks per game (3.1), fifth in tackles for loss per game (7.9) and seventh in rushing defense.
UAC ROUNDUP: Six teams are in action around the UAC, while No. 8 Austin Peay and West Florida are on bye weeks. Two ranked UAC teams will be at home this week with No. 1 Tarleton State hosting EKU and No. 24 Abilene Christian hosting West Georgia. ACU and Tarleton are the last two remaining unbeatens in the conference at 3-0.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
