CONWAY, Ark. (October 31, 2026) – In a football game on Halloween night, someone was bound to have a nightmare ending.
Fortunately for the North Alabama Lions, they were the ones producing the nightmare instead of the ones tossing and turning.
In a game that had many twists and turns, a fumble by Central Arkansas at the goal line with 1:50 remaining allowed UNA to escape "The Stripes" with a 14-9 victory in United Athletic Conference play on a rainy Saturday in Conway, Ark.
The Lions (5-4, 2-2 UAC) did not allow any defensive touchdowns, marking the first time this has happened since a 20-7 win 2023 at Tennessee Tech. That game had similar weather with rain setting up a defensive showdown.
Trailing 14-9 at the two-minute timeout, Central Arkansas (2-7, 0-4 UAC) had the ball second and goal on the UNA 10. UCA quarterback Donovyn Omolo made it to the one-yard line and was a step away from coasting into the end zone, but sophomores
Tae Martin and
Raelon Sims were there to greet him at the goal line.
One step never taken. At least not with the football.
Martin started the process with a near tackle, but Sims delivered the blow that forced the ball out right before the ball crossed the plain. Senior
Dallas Johnson, who made big plays all night for UNA, recovered the fumble in the end zone.
Both sidelines began to celebrate with confusion, advocating for either a touchdown or a fumble. The call on the field was a go-ahead score for the Bears, but after review, the call was overturned and UNA made a goal line stand — a common theme from the night.
UNA quarterback
Destin Wade ran four plays, moving the chains enough to ice the game and to get into victory formation.
The story of the night was UNA's defense, who despite being outgained caused nightmares for UCA in the red zone. The Bears went 1-for-4 inside the 20, ending with a first quarter field goal, an third quarter interception, a fumbled field goal snap early in the fourth quarter to force a turnover on downs and the fumble to end the game.
Meanwhile, UNA scored back-to-back touchdowns in the first half to take a 14-3 lead into the break. Wade connected with senior
KJ Fields and redshirt sophomore
Noah Gregg for touchdowns in the second quarter. Fields scored his second touchdown of the season and the fourth of his career, while Gregg had his first and the fifth of his career.
UCA's only touchdown of the night came on a late fumble in the fourth quarter to make it 14-9, as a read option slipped out of Wade's hands and was scooped up by Kaydin Thomas for a 26-yard touchdown return. The UNA defense rushed out to defend the two-point conversion, making the stop to keep it 14-9.
The Lions had another fumble slip out on a play that appeared down but was deemed live with 5:25 remaining, giving UCA a renewed life. After moving the ball into the red zone, dreams of a go-ahead score were eradicated by a Sims hit and Johnson recovery.
Johnson had his first interception as a Lion tonight, picking off a pass to kill a 13 play, 75 yard drive with 5:00 left in the third quarter.
Another Johnson that had a big night was redshirt freshman
Xavier Johnson. The standout wide receiver once again led the way for UNA with four catches for 66 yards. He moved into the top-10 list for all-time single season receiving yards with 880 over nine games. He passes TJ Porter (2009), Jason Smith (2013), Jason Messing (2005) and Tristan Purifoy (2011) for sixth all-time. He already has the FCS era school record and he's 300 yards away from the school record set by Dre Hall in 2016 at 1,179 yards.
Wade finished 10-for-17 passing for 116 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 45 yards and 74 if you take out sacks. Redshirt sophomore
Roderick Taylor Jr. was the leading rusher with 10 carries for 58 yards.
UNA's tackle leader was redshirt sophomore
Kamore Harris with seven, including 1.5 for loss and a sack. Another impact player was redshirt junior
Avery Howard with four tackles and a sack of his own. Howard's sack is his eighth of the season, putting him three away from tying the all-time school record set by Reginald Ruffin with 11 in 1994.
Tonight marked UNA's first win in Conway since 2005. That win came during the NCAA Division II playoffs on a walk-off field goal by Yuta Fukuda to escape 41-38. The Bears had a four-game win streak dating back to 2022 until tonight. The series had a gap between 2005 and 2022.
Tonight's Halloween final was a Scorigami, as this was the first time UNA has had a game end in a 14-9 final score in program history. This was UNA's fourth time with a unique all-time score this season.
Next Saturday, the Lions are back home to host West Florida. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Bobby Wallace Field at Bank Independent Stadium in Florence.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
