CARROLLTON, Ga. (November 14, 2026) – The playoff hunt continues.
Looking to build a resume worthy of its first FCS postseason bid in program history, the University of North Alabama football team added a key road win with a 28-7 United Athletic Conference victory over West Georgia on Saturday at University Stadium in Carrollton, Ga.
The Lions (7-4, 4-2 UAC) reach the seven-win threshold for just the second time since moving to Division I in 2018. However, this is the first time UNA has done it with seven wins over FCS opponents. UNA has won three-straight since Halloween.
The game did not start as planned, as the Lions threw an interception on the first play from scrimmage and allowed West Georgia (1-10, 0-6 UAC) to score a touchdown on the opening drive. However, that momentum quickly died as UNA scored 28 unanswered points and dominated time of possession to keep UWG's offense off the field.
Redshirt junior defensive end
Avery Howard had the play that perhaps changed the game for good. With under 20 seconds left in the half and UNA ahead 14-7, Howard came up with a strip sack near midfield and scooped it up himself for a 32-yard touchdown return.
The 21-7 lead only grew in the second half, including a fourth quarter touchdown by quarterback
Destin Wade on a "tush push" quarterback sneak. The defense pitched a second half shutout that included two turnovers on downs, a fumble recovery on fourth down, a missed field goal and a punt.
This game now carries a piece of history, as Howard finished with two sacks to tie the all-time single season school record at UNA of 11 sacks. The only other player to do this was UNA Hall of Famer Reginald Ruffin with 11 in 1994 as part of the esteemed "Purple Swarm" defense that won three consecutive national championships.
Howard, who is having an All-American season in his own right, led the way today with 2.5 tackles for loss with the two sacks included, a forced fumble and recovery for his first career touchdown, a QB hurry and five tackles. The only player with more tackles than Howard on the day was redshirt sophomore
Kamore Harris with six.
After a disastrous opening sequence, UNA tied the game with a 14-play, 89-yard second drive capped off by a seven-yard touchdown run by senior
Chris McMillian.
Ian Vachon had the extra point to tie the game with 3:48 left in the quarter. He made all four attempts on the day.
The Lions took the lead on a short run by Wade to cap off another long drive — this time going 13 plays for 76 yards. UNA fumbled on its final offensive possession of the half with 45 seconds to go, but Howard quickly flipped the script on third and five from the UWG 32 yard line, beating a one-on-one, making the strip and taking it to the house unabated.
The game was a stalemate in the second half until a six-play, 50-yard drive in the fourth quarter ended with Wade's second touchdown. UNA set a season-high with 54 rushing attempts today, recording 224 yards on the ground.
As a team, UNA had 21 first downs and 377 yards. Similar to 2024's win in Carrollton, UNA dominated time of possession with 41 minutes of offense. The all-time record was set two seasons ago against West Georgia with 43:16 time of possession. UNA ran 75 plays compared to just 49 for the Wolves.
The Lions converted 10-of-17 third downs and went 3-for-3 in the red zone. The Wolves finished a frustrating day at just 2-11 on third downs and 1-2 in the red zone.
McMillian had his best game as a Lion, rushing 12 times for 82 yards and a score. Redshirt sophomore
Jalen Fletcher rushed for 54 yards, while Wade added 45. This came after leading rusher
Roderick Taylor Jr. was ejected from the game after two carries.
Wade finished 16-for-21 for 153 yards with just the one interception early in the game. His top target was redshirt sophomore
Snap Reed with eight catches for 89 yards. Four other Lions caught two passes each, including redshirt freshman
Xavier Johnson with 12 yards to move into third on the all-time single season receiving yard list behind Dre Hall (2016) and Michael Edwards (1994). Johnson now has 954 yards this season.
In limited action, rookie punter
Charles Mulcahy only had to punt two times and landed both inside the 20 yard line. One of those two came in the fourth quarter, landing at the two-yard line.
Today marked UNA's largest win margin of the season at 21 points. The other six wins were decided by 18 points or less. The Lions also improve to 24-14 in the all-time series with West Georgia.
The 28-7 score has happened multiple times in school history, including UNA's very first win against Howard College (now Samford) in 1949. The last time UNA won 28-7 was in 2015 at Shorter — also in the state of Georgia.
With a potential playoff bid on the line, the Lions will have a crucial game at home next week against No. 1 Tarleton State. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. at Bobby Wallace Field at Bank Independent Stadium.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
