FLORENCE, Ala. (November 6, 2026) – The University of North Alabama football team will begin an important three game stretch this weekend that begins in the friendly confines of Bobby Wallace Field at Bank Independent Stadium.
With a potential playoff bid still in sight, the Lions will host former Gulf South Conference rival and the newest member of the United Athletic Conference, West Florida, on Saturday at 6 p.m.
Saturday's game is a "black out" game as fans are encouraged to wear their favorite black UNA apparel. Fans are encouraged to call the UNA Ticket Office at 256-765-5466 to purchase reserved seating while available. Fans can also
visit this link. Standing-room only and general admission tickets will also remain available throughout Saturday.
In addition to the "black out" game, UNA will also honor active-duty and veteran members of the military with a special Military Appreciation recognition. Saturday will also be UNA's annual band extravaganza, as hundreds of local high school students from the Shoals area will join the UNA Marching Pride at halftime and in the stands.
The game will be broadcasted on ESPN+ with "Voice of the Lions"
Benjamin Ray, Bryan Neece and
Gyvan Hammons on the call. The broadcast will begin at 6 p.m.
The game will also have a hometown audio stream on Roar Lions Productions with Jordan Campbell and former UNA quarterback Jacob Tucker in the booth. Studio host and sideline reporter
Chase Glover will lead The Countdown to Kickoff presented by Bank Independent beginning at 4 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. West Florida
Date: Saturday, November 7
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Florence, Alabama
Stadium: Bobby Wallace Field at Bank Independent Stadium
Capacity: 10,000
TV: ESPN+ ("Voice of the Lions"
Benjamin Ray, Bryan Neece,
Gyvan Hammons)
Radio: Roar Lions Productions (Jordan Campbell, Jacob Tucker,
Chase Glover)
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Tickets: Click Here
Social Media:
@UNAFootball
UNA Game Notes |
Opponent Notes |
UAC Notes
NOTABLES
LAST TIME OUT: On a rainy Halloween night in Conway, Ark., North Alabama used a stout defensive performance to win 14-9 over Central Arkansas to improve to 2-0 in UAC road games. With 1:50 to go,
Raelon Sims forced a fumble at the one-yard line to stop a potential go-ahead score from UCA, allowing
Dallas Johnson to recover it and then the UNA offense to run out the clock.
ABOUT THE LIONS: UNA is currently 5-4 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 earlier this season for the first time since 2019. The Lions rank second in the UAC in total defense and second in rushing defense with just 113.8 yards per game allowed.
THE REMAINING ROAD AHEAD: With a 5-4 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 three games remaining. The next three games include this week's home game against West Florida who is currently 4-3 with a 1-3 record in league play, a road finale at 1-7 West Georgia and the regular season finale at home against top-ranked and undefeated Tarleton State.
ABOUT THE OPPONENT: West Florida is enjoying a strong first season at the FCS level after recently transitioning up from NCAA Division II. Notable wins include a 34-31 upset over No. 16 Southern Illinois in the season opener and a 42-14 drumming of Central Arkansas the following week. Last time out, UWF fell to EKU by a 16-13 final and now come in off a bye week. The Argos have the fourth ranked offense in the league at 24.1 PPG and the third-ranked defense at 22.0 PPG.
SERIES HISTORY: Saturday will mark the fourth all-time meeting between UNA and UWF. The Argos have a 2-1 lead in the series with all three games taking place between 2016 and 2018. UNA won the first meeting by a 51-3 final in 2016 at Braly Stadium. The quarterback for UNA in that game was current radio analyst Jacob Tucker, who went on to finish third in the Harlon Hill voting that season. UWF's quarterback that game was Kaleb Nobles, who is now the head coach for the Argos.
ROOKIE SENSATION: Redshirt freshman
Xavier Johnson — a transfer from Memphis — currently ranks third in the country with 880 receiving yards and 97.7 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 —
Xavier Johnson and redshirt junior edge rusher
Avery Howard. Johnson has already set the single season receiving record with 880 yards and is seventh 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 eight. He is three 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 196.1 yards per game passing this season. He is also tied for the UAC lead in rushing touchdowns this season with 10. Wade ranks 11th in the country when it comes to passing yards per completion, totaling 14.1 yards per throw on average. He is also fifth in the nation for fewest interceptions thrown with just three in his nine games this season.
DEFENSE ON LOCKDOWN: UNA has one of the top defenses in FCS, ranking sixth in the nation in sacks per game (3.0), sixth in tackles for loss per game (7.7) and 16th in rushing defense at 113.8 yards per game.
UAC ROUNDUP: All eight teams are in action this week, including the two remaining unbeatens with No. 1 Tarleton State hosting No. 22 Abilene Christian. The two remaining teams without a conference win will also play this week with West Georgia hosting Central Arkansas. The other game outside of UNA will be No. 7 Austin Peay hosting rival EKU.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
