2025 North Alabama Lions football team

Last updated

2025 North Alabama Lions football
North Alabama Athletics wordmark.svg
Conference United Athletic Conference
Record2–5 (1–2 UAC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorMorgan Cruce (1st season)
Defensive coordinatorBrock Caraboa (3rd season)
Home stadium Braly Municipal Stadium
Seasons
  2024
2026 
2025 United Athletic Conference standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
No. 3 Tarleton State  4 0   8 0  
No. 23 Abilene Christian  3 1   4 4  
Central Arkansas  2 1   3 4  
No. 25 Austin Peay  2 2   4 3  
West Georgia*  2 3   5 3  
North Alabama  1 2   2 5  
Southern Utah  1 2   2 5  
Eastern Kentucky  1 2   3 4  
Utah Tech  0 3   1 6  
  • * – Ineligible for the UAC title and FCS postseason play due to transition from NCAA Division II.
As of October 20, 2025
Rankings from STATS Poll

The 2025 North Alabama Lions football team represent the University of North Alabama as a member of the United Athletic Conference (UAC) during the 2025 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Lions are led by third-year head coach Brent Dearmon and play their home games at Braly Municipal Stadium in Florence, Alabama.

Contents

Offseason

Transfers

Outgoing

The Lions lost six players to the transfer portal. [1] [2]

PlayerPositionNew school
Christopher BurnettDB Alcorn State
Shaun MyersLB Colorado
Edwin White SchultzS Keiser
Mickel ClayOL West Virginia
La'Charles TaylorOL Western Carolina
Ashaad WilliamsCB Wake Forest

Incoming

The Lions added nine players from the transfer portal. [1] [3]

PlayerPositionPrevious school
Lance BassettDT Kansas
Noah BolticoffOL Indiana
Christian BurkhalterTE Georgia Tech
Boubacar DiakateDL Vanderbilt
Brian DilworthDB Kansas
Jamari PayneEDGE Purdue
LT SandersRB Western Kentucky
Ian Vachon PK Auburn
Destin WadeQB Colorado

Recruiting class

College recruiting information (2025)
NameHometownSchoolHeightWeightCommit date
Overall recruit ranking:
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, On3, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Rivals commits". Rivals. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
  • "2025 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
  • "247Sports commits". 247Sports. Retrieved March 3, 2025.

Schedule

North Alabama's 2025 schedule features twelve games, five at home and seven away. The season started with the Lions' first ever meeting against Western Kentucky on August 30. The schedule also sees UNA's first matchup against Northeastern State on September 13. Other notable games include conference matchups against Utah Tech and West Georgia. On November 1, UNA will play their first ever away game against Utah Tech as both the 2023 and 2024 games were played in Florence, Alabama. The next week, on November 8, the Lions will host the West Georgia Wolves at Braly Municipal Stadium for the first time since 2016, when both were still NCAA Division II programs and members of the Gulf South Conference. [4]

The November 22 matchup against Southern Utah is slated to be the Lions' last game at Braly Stadium before moving to Bobby Wallace Field at Bank Independent Stadium in 2026. [5]

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
August 306:00 p.m.at Western Kentucky * ESPN+ L 6–5512,226
September 66:00 p.m.at Southeast Missouri State *ESPN+L 21–303,890
September 136:00 p.m. Northeastern State *ESPN+W 49–219,739
September 2012:00 p.m.at No. 6 Illinois State *ESPN+L 36–38 2OT11,287
October 42:00 p.m.at No. 19 Abilene Christian ESPN+L 23–527,377
October 113:00 p.m. Central Arkansas
  • Braly Municipal Stadium
  • Florence, AL
ESPN+L 21–499,125
October 186:00 p.m. Eastern Kentucky Dagger-14-plain.png
  • Braly Municipal Stadium
  • Florence, AL
ESPN+W 35–148,922
October 253:00 p.m.at No. 25 Austin Peay ESPN+
November 13:00 p.m.at Utah Tech ESPN+
November 83:00 p.m. West Georgia
  • Braly Municipal Stadium
  • Florence, AL
ESPN+
November 156:00 p.m.at Tarleton State ESPN+
November 221:00 p.m. Southern Utah
  • Braly Municipal Stadium
  • Florence, AL
ESPN+
  • *Non-conference game
  • Dagger-14-plain.pngHomecoming
  • Rankings from STATS Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Central time

[6] [7] [8]

Game summaries

at Western Kentucky (FBS)

North Alabama Lions (0-0) vs. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (FBS) (1-0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Lions60006
Hilltoppers (FBS)142831055

at Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith StadiumBowling Green, KY

  • Date: August 30
  • Game time: 6:00 PM CDT
  • Game weather: Weather: Sunny • Temp: 78 °F (26 °C)
  • Game attendance: 12,226
  • Referee: Douglas Mercer
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Jesse Ough (play-by-play) and Terry Obee (analyst)
Game information
First Quarter
  • (11:58) WKU – George Hart III 1-yard run (John Cannon kick) (Drive: 4 plays, 13 yards, 1:55; WKU 7-0)
  • (5:58) UNA – Ian Vachon 25-yard field goal (Drive: 13 plays, 70 yards, 5:54; WKU 7-3)
  • (5:58) UNA – Ian Vachon 47-yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 51 yards, 2:50; WKU 7-6)
  • (11:58) WKU – Quincy Burroughs 9-yard pass from Maverick McIvor (John Cannon kick) (Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 2:00; WKU 14-6)
Second Quarter
  • (8:24) WKU – Jairus Mack 20-yard pass from Maverick McIvor (John Cannon kick) (Drive: 8 plays, 72 yards, 3:01; WKU 21-6)
  • (5:34) WKU – K.D. Hutchinson 78-yard pass from Maverick McIvor (John Cannon kick) (Drive: 1 play, 78 yards, 0:12; WKU 28-6)
  • (2:25) WKU – K.D. Hutchinson 12-yard pass from Maverick McIvor (John Cannon kick) (Drive: 5 plays, 64 yards, 1:46; WKU 35-6)
  • (0:48) WKU – Matthew Henry 14-yard pass from Maverick McIvor (John Cannon kick) (Drive: 5 plays, 25 yards, 0:59; WKU 42-6)
Third Quarter
  • (0:48) WKU – John Cannon 46-yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 32 yards, 3:58; WKU 45-6)
Fourth Quarter
  • (14:50) WKU – Marvin Sims 14-yard pass from Rodney Tisdale Jr (John Cannon kick) (Drive: 8 plays, 67 yards, 0:18; WKU 52-6)
  • (6:30) WKU – John Cannon 43-yard field goal (Drive: 10 plays, 47 yards, 5:18; WKU 55-6)
StatisticsUNAWKU
First downs1726
Total yards258563
Rushing yards153164
Passing yards105399
Passing: Comp–Att–Int16–37–030–39–0
Time of possession32:2127:39
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
North AlabamaPassingAri Patu11/20, 86 yards
RushingDestin Wade5 carries, 34 yards
ReceivingJustin Pegues5 receptions, 52 yards
Western KentuckyPassing Maverick McIvor 24/31, 305 yards, 5 TD
RushingJaden McGill9 carries, 46 yards
ReceivingK.D. Hutchinson5 receptions, 113 yards, 2 TD

at Southeast Missouri State

Overall recordPrevious meetingPrevious winnerScore
0–1August 24, 2024 Southeast Missouri State 15–37
North Alabama Lions (0-1) vs. Southeast Missouri State Redhawks (0-1) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Lions7001421
Redhawks01310730

at Houck StadiumCape Girardeau, MO

  • Date: September 6
  • Game time: 6:00 PM CDT
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Erik Sean (play-by-play) and Rick Wieser (analyst)
StatisticsUNASEMO
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
North AlabamaPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Southeast Missouri StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving

Northeastern State (DII)

Northeastern State RiverHawks (DII) (1-1) vs. North Alabama Lions (0-2) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
RiverHawks (DII)0813021
Lions14239349

at Braly Municipal StadiumFlorence, AL

  • Date: September 13
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 86 °F (30 °C) • Wind: SE at 3 miles per hour (4.8 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 9,739
  • Referee: Andrew Ison
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Benjamin Ray (play-by-play), Bryan Neece (analyst) and Lynden Blake (sideline)
Game information
First Quarter
  • (8:41) UNA – Jayvian Allen 6-yard run (Ian Vachon kick) (Drive: 9 plays, 50 yards, 3:53; UNA 7-0)
  • (4:32) UNA – Jalyn Daniels 36-yard run (Ian Vachon kick) (Drive: 5 plays, 56 yards, 1:57; UNA 14-0)
Second Quarter
  • (12:45) UNA – Ian Vachon 22-yard field goal (Drive: 5 plays, 51 yards, 2:12; UNA 17-0)
  • (5:49) UNA – Jayvian Allen 2-yard run (Ian Vachon kick) (Drive: 9 plays, 88 yards, 4:58; UNA 24-0)
  • (2:55) UNA – L.T. Sanders 1-yard run (Ian Vachon kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 41 yards, 2:42; UNA 31-0)
  • (1:30) NEOS – Ramon McKinney Jr 64-yard pass from Dereun Dortch (Deuce Roberson rush) (Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 1:25; UNA 31-8)
  • (0:06) UNA – Noah Gregg 3-yard pass from Destin Wade (Ian Vachon kick no good) (Drive: 6 plays, 41 yards, 2:42; UNA 37-8)
Third Quarter
  • (11:55) UNA – Ian Vachon 27-yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 60 yards, 3:00; UNA 40-8)
  • (8:40) UNA – Jalen Fletcher 6-yard run (Ian Vachon kick no good) (Drive: 4 plays, 38 yards, 1:53; UNA 46-8)
  • (7:46) NEOS – Deuce Roberson 46-yard pass from Donnie Smith (Troy Nguyen kick) (Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 0:48; UNA 46-15)
  • (3:57) NEOS – Cam Woods 28-yard pass from Donnie Smith (Two point conversion failed) (Drive: 6 plays, 74 yards, 2:59; UNA 46-21)
Fourth Quarter
  • (1:51) UNA – Ian Vachon 55-yard field goal (Drive: 4 plays, 1 yards, 1:32; UNA 49-21)
StatisticsNEOSUNA
First downs1619
Total yards379500
Rushing yards17301
Passing yards362199
Passing: Comp–Att–Int23–51–214–22–0
Time of possession25:1834:42
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Northeastern StatePassingDonnie Smith18/35, 222 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
RushingRamon McKinney Jr8 carries, 36 yards
ReceivingRamon McKinney Jr5 receptions, 94 yards, 1 TD
North AlabamaPassingDestin Wade11/15, 161 yards, 1 TD
RushingJayvian Allen8 carries, 91 yards, 2 TD
ReceivingKaleb Heatherly3 receptions, 68 yards

at No. 6 Illinois State

Overall recordPrevious meetingPrevious winnerScore
0–1September 7, 2024 Illinois State 17–24
North Alabama Lions (1-2) vs. No. 6 Illinois State Redbirds (2-1) – Game summary
Quarter1234OT2OTTotal
Lions077133636
No. 6 Redbirds314733838

at Hancock StadiumNormal, IL

  • Date: September 20
  • Game time: 12:00 PM CDT
  • Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: 79 °F (26 °C)
  • Game attendance: 11,287
  • Referee: John Shay
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Kurt Pegler (play-by-play), Clay Harbor (analyst) and Kalia Butler (sideline)
Game information
First Quarter
  • (5:18) ILST – Matt Maldonado 42-yard field goal (Drive: 6 plays, 32 yards, 1:50; ILST 3-0)
Second Quarter
  • (14:21) ILST – Wenkers Wright 38-yard run (Matt Maldonado kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 2:00; ILST 10-0)
  • (9:42) ILST – Luke Mailander 10-yard pass from Tommy Rittenhouse (Matt Maldonado kick) (Drive: 5 plays, 68 yards, 2:05; ILST 17-0)
  • (0:09) UNA – Noah Gregg 10-yard pass from Ari Patu (Ian Vachon kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 45 yards, 0:22; ILST 17-7)
Third Quarter
  • (9:24) UNA – Jayvian Allen 1-yard run (Ian Vachon kick) (Drive: 9 plays, 61 yards, 4:08; ILST 17-14)
  • (1:54) ILST – Daniel Sobkowicz 6-yard pass from Tommy Rittenhouse (Matt Maldonado kick) (Drive: 8 plays, 46 yards, 2:52; ILST 24-14)
Fourth Quarter
  • (5:54) UNA – Justin Pegues 39-yard pass from Ari Patu (Ian Vachon kick) (Drive: 13 plays, 90 yards, 5:26; ILST 24-21)
  • (2:36) ILST – Matt Maldonado 51-yard field goal (Drive: 6 plays, 41 yards, 3:06; ILST 27-21)
  • (0:33) UNA – KJ Fields 25-yard pass from Ari Patu (Ian Vachon kick no good) (Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 2:03; Tied 27-27)
Overtime
  • UNA – Ian Vachon 42-yard field goal (Drive: 4 plays, 1 yards; UNA 30-27)
  • ILST – Matt Maldonado 38-yard field goal (Drive: 4 plays, 4 yards; Tied 30-30)
Double overtime
  • ILST – Daniel Sobkowicz 25-yard pass from Tommy Rittenhouse (Daniel Sobkowicz pass) (Drive: 1 play, 25 yards; ILST 38-30)
  • UNA – Justin Pegues 18-yard pass from Ari Patu (Two point conversion failed) (Drive: 4 plays, 25 yards; ILST 38-36)
StatisticsUNAILST
First downs2429
Total yards409506
Rushing yards144217
Passing yards265289
Passing: Comp–Att–Int22–37–121–37–0
Time of possession30:3029:30
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
North AlabamaPassingAri Patu17/31, 243 yards, 4 TD, INT
RushingAri Patu14 carries, 60 yards
ReceivingKJ Fields7 receptions, 94 yards, TD
Illinois StatePassingTommy Rittenhouse20/36, 250 yards, 3 TD
RushingTommy Rittenhouse9 carries, 89 yards
ReceivingDaniel Sobkowicz10 receptions, 150 yards, 2 TD

at No. 19 Abilene Christian

Overall recordPrevious meetingPrevious winnerScore
2–1October 7, 2024 North Alabama 47–34
North Alabama Lions (1-3) vs. No. 19 Abilene Christian Wildcats (2-3) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Lions0731323
No. 19 Wildcats141417752

at Wildcat StadiumAbilene, TX

  • Date: October 4
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m. CDT
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Andy Penney (play-by-play) and Jim Reese (analyst)
StatisticsUNAACU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
North AlabamaPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Abilene ChristianPassing
Rushing
Receiving

Central Arkansas

Central Arkansas Bears (2-4) vs. North Alabama Lions (1-4) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Bears7287749
Lions770721

at Braly Municipal Stadium • Florence, AL

  • Date: October 11
StatisticsCARKUNA
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Central ArkansasPassing
Rushing
Receiving
North AlabamaPassing
Rushing
Receiving

Eastern Kentucky

Eastern Kentucky Colonels (3-3) vs. North Alabama Lions (1-5) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Colonels----0
Lions----0

at Braly Municipal Stadium • Florence, AL

  • Date: October 18
StatisticsEKUUNA
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Eastern KentuckyPassing
Rushing
Receiving
North AlabamaPassing
Rushing
Receiving

at No. 25 Austin Peay

North Alabama Lions (0-0) vs. Austin Peay Governors (4-3) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Lions----0
No. 25 Governors----0

at Fortera StadiumClarksville, TN

  • Date: October 25
StatisticsUNAAPSU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
North AlabamaPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Austin PeayPassing
Rushing
Receiving

at Utah Tech

North Alabama Lions (0-0) vs. Utah Tech Trailblazers (0-0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Lions----0
Trailblazers----0

at Greater Zion StadiumSt. George, UT

  • Date: November 1
  • Game time: 2:00 PM MDT
StatisticsUNAUTU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
North AlabamaPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Utah TechPassing
Rushing
Receiving

West Georgia

West Georgia Wolves (0-0) vs. North Alabama Lions (0-0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Wolves----0
Lions----0

at Braly Municipal Stadium • Florence, AL

  • Date: November 8
StatisticsUWGUNA
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
West GeorgiaPassing
Rushing
Receiving
North AlabamaPassing
Rushing
Receiving

at Tarleton State

North Alabama Lions (0-0) vs. Tarleton State Texans (0-0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Lions----0
Texans----0

at Memorial StadiumStephenville, TX

  • Date: November 15
StatisticsUNATAR
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
North AlabamaPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Tarleton StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving

Southern Utah

Southern Utah Thunderbirds (0-0) vs. North Alabama Lions (0-0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Thunderbirds----0
Lions----0

at Braly Municipal Stadium • Florence, AL

  • Date: November 22
StatisticsSUUUNA
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Southern UtahPassing
Rushing
Receiving
North AlabamaPassing
Rushing
Receiving

References

  1. 1 2 Herder, Sam (January 11, 2025). "2025 FCS-to-FCS Transfers" . Retrieved March 3, 2025.
  2. Herder, Sam (January 11, 2025). "2025 FCS-to-FBS Transfers" . Retrieved March 3, 2025.
  3. Herder, Sam (January 11, 2025). "2025 FBS-to-FCS Transfers" . Retrieved March 3, 2025.
  4. "2025 North Alabama Football Record Book and Media Guide" (PDF). UNA Athletics. May 15, 2025. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
  5. "Lions announce 2025 football schedule". UNA Athletics. December 2, 2024. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
  6. Kelley, Kevin (December 2, 2024). "North Alabama announces 2025 football schedule". FBSchedules. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
  7. Kelley, Kevin (December 2, 2024). "2025 UAC football schedule announced". FBSchedules. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
  8. "UNA Releases 2025 Football". Courier Journal. January 7, 2025. Retrieved March 3, 2025.