2025 North Alabama Lions football team

2025 North Alabama Lions football
Conference	United Athletic Conference
Record	1–2 (0–0 UAC)
Head coach	Brent Dearmon (3rd season)
Offensive coordinator	Morgan Cruce (1st season)
Defensive coordinator	Brock Caraboa (3rd season)
Home stadium	Braly Municipal Stadium
Seasons ←  2024 2026 →

2025 United Athletic Conference standings

v t e	Conf.							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
No. 3 Tarleton State		1	–	0					4	–	0
No. 22 West Georgia*		0	–	0					3	–	0
No. 18 Austin Peay		0	–	0					2	–	1
No. 14 Abilene Christian		0	–	0					1	–	2
Eastern Kentucky		0	–	0					1	–	2
North Alabama		0	–	0					1	–	2
Southern Utah		0	–	0					1	–	2
Utah Tech		0	–	0					0	–	3
Central Arkansas		0	–	1					1	–	2
* – Ineligible for the UAC title and FCS postseason play due to transition from NCAA Division II. As of September 18, 2025 Rankings from STATS Poll

The 2025 North Alabama Lions football team will 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 will be coached by third-year head coach Brent Dearmon and play their home games at Braly Municipal Stadium in Florence, Alabama.

Offseason

Transfers

Outgoing

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

Player	Position	New school
Christopher Burnett	DB	Alcorn State
Shaun Myers	LB	Colorado
Edwin White Schultz	S	Keiser
Mickel Clay	OL	West Virginia
La'Charles Taylor	OL	Western Carolina
Ashaad Williams	CB	Wake Forest

Incoming

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

Player	Position	Previous school
Lance Bassett	DT	Kansas
Noah Bolticoff	OL	Indiana
Christian Burkhalter	TE	Georgia Tech
Boubacar Diakate	DL	Vanderbilt
Brian Dilworth	DB	Kansas
Jamari Payne	EDGE	Purdue
LT Sanders	RB	Western Kentucky
Ian Vachon	PK	Auburn
Destin Wade	QB	Colorado

Recruiting class

College recruiting information (2025)
Name	Hometown	School	Height	Weight	Commit 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. 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 starts 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 1st, 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 8th, 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 Tarleton State is slated to be the Lions' last game at Braly Stadium before moving to Bobby Wallace Field at Bank Independent Stadium in 2026. ^[5]

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
August 30	6:00 p.m.	at Western Kentucky *	Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium Bowling Green, KY	ESPN+	L 6–55	12,226
September 6	6:00 p.m.	at Southeast Missouri State *	Houck Stadium Cape Girardeau, MO	ESPN+	L 21–30	3,890
September 13	6:00 p.m.	Northeastern State *	Braly Municipal Stadium Florence, AL	ESPN+	W 49–21	9,739
September 20	12:00 p.m.	at No. 6 Illinois State *	Hancock Stadium Normal, IL	ESPN+
October 4	2:00 p.m.	at Abilene Christian	Wildcat Stadium Abilene, TX	ESPN+
October 11	3:00 p.m.	Central Arkansas	Braly Municipal Stadium Florence, AL	ESPN+
October 18	6:00 p.m.	Eastern Kentucky	Braly Municipal Stadium Florence, AL	ESPN+
October 25	3:00 p.m.	at Austin Peay	Fortera Stadium Clarksville, TN	ESPN+
November 1	3:00 p.m.	at Utah Tech	Greater Zion Stadium St. George, UT	ESPN+
November 8	3:00 p.m.	West Georgia	Braly Municipal Stadium Florence, AL	ESPN+
November 15	6:00 p.m.	at Tarleton State	Memorial Stadium Stephenville, TX	ESPN+
November 22	1:00 p.m.	Southern Utah	Braly Municipal Stadium Florence, AL	ESPN+
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from STATS Poll released prior to the game All times are in Central time

^{[6] [7] [8]}

Game summaries

at Western Kentucky (FBS)

See also: 2025 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football team

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

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Lions	6	0	0	0	6
Hilltoppers (FBS)	14	28	3	10	55

at Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium • Bowling 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)

Statistics	UNA	WKU
First downs	17	26
Total yards	258	563
Rushing yards	153	164
Passing yards	105	399
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	16–37–0	30–39–0
Time of possession	32:21	27:39

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
North Alabama	Passing	Ari Patu	11/20, 86 yards
	Rushing	Destin Wade	5 carries, 34 yards
	Receiving	Justin Pegues	5 receptions, 52 yards
Western Kentucky	Passing	Maverick McIvor	24/31, 305 yards, 5 TD
	Rushing	Jaden McGill	9 carries, 46 yards
	Receiving	K.D. Hutchinson	5 receptions, 113 yards, 2 TD

Pregame line	Over/under
WKU -27.5	60.5

at Southeast Missouri State

See also: 2025 Southeast Missouri State Redhawks football team

Overall record	Previous meeting	Previous winner	Score
0–1	August 24, 2024	Southeast Missouri State	15–37

North Alabama Lions (0-1) vs. Southeast Missouri State Redhawks (0-1) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Lions	7	0	0	14	21
Redhawks	0	13	10	7	30

at Houck Stadium • Cape Girardeau, MO

• Date: September 6
• Game time: 6:00 PM CDT
• TV announcers (ESPN+): Erik Sean (play-by-play) and Rick Wieser (analyst)

Statistics	UNA	SEMO
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
North Alabama	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Southeast Missouri State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Pregame line	Over/under
SEMO -15.5	55.5

Northeastern State (DII)

See also: Northeastern State RiverHawks football

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

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
RiverHawks (DII)	0	8	13	0	21
Lions	14	23	9	3	49

at Braly Municipal Stadium • Florence, 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
• TV announcers (ESPN+): Benjamin Ray (play-by-play), Bryan Neece (analyst) and Lynden Blake (sideline)

Statistics	NEOS	UNA
First downs	16	19
Total yards	379	500
Rushing yards	17	301
Passing yards	362	199
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	23–51–2	14–22–0
Time of possession	25:18	34:42

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Northeastern State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
North Alabama	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at No. 6 Illinois State

See also: 2025 Illinois State Redbirds football team

Overall record	Previous meeting	Previous winner	Score
0–1	September 7, 2024	Illinois State	17–24

North Alabama Lions (1-2) vs. No. 6 Illinois State Redbirds (2-1) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Lions	-	-	-	-	0
No. 6 Redbirds	-	-	-	-	0

at Hancock Stadium • Normal, IL

• Date: September 20
• Game time: 12:00 PM CDT
• TV announcers (ESPN+): Kurt Pegler (play-by-play), Clay Harbor (analyst) and Kalia Butler (sideline)

Statistics	UNA	ILST
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
North Alabama	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Illinois State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Abilene Christian

See also: 2025 Abilene Christian Wildcats football team

Overall record	Previous meeting	Previous winner	Score
2–1	October 7, 2024	North Alabama	47–34

North Alabama Lions (0-0) vs. Abilene Christian Wildcats (0-0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Lions	-	-	-	-	0
Wildcats	-	-	-	-	0

at Wildcat Stadium • Abilene, TX

• Date: October 4

Statistics	UNA	ACU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
North Alabama	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Abilene Christian	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Central Arkansas

See also: 2025 Central Arkansas Bears football team

Central Arkansas Bears (0-0) vs. North Alabama Lions (0-0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bears	-	-	-	-	0
Lions	-	-	-	-	0

at Braly Municipal Stadium • Florence, AL

• Date: October 11

Statistics	CARK	UNA
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Central Arkansas	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
North Alabama	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Eastern Kentucky

See also: 2025 Eastern Kentucky Colonels football team

Eastern Kentucky Colonels (0-0) vs. North Alabama Lions (0-0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Colonels	-	-	-	-	0
Lions	-	-	-	-	0

at Braly Municipal Stadium • Florence, AL

• Date: October 18

Statistics	EKU	UNA
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Eastern Kentucky	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
North Alabama	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Austin Peay

See also: 2025 Austin Peay Governors football team

North Alabama Lions (0-0) vs. Austin Peay Governors (0-0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Lions	-	-	-	-	0
Governors	-	-	-	-	0

at Fortera Stadium • Clarksville, TN

• Date: October 25

Statistics	UNA	APSU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
North Alabama	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Austin Peay	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Utah Tech

See also: 2025 Utah Tech Trailblazers football team

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

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Lions	-	-	-	-	0
Trailblazers	-	-	-	-	0

at Greater Zion Stadium • St. George, UT

• Date: November 1
• Game time: 2:00 PM MDT

Statistics	UNA	UTU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
North Alabama	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Utah Tech	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

West Georgia

See also: 2025 West Georgia Wolves football team

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

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Wolves	-	-	-	-	0
Lions	-	-	-	-	0

at Braly Municipal Stadium • Florence, AL

• Date: November 8

Statistics	UWG	UNA
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
West Georgia	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
North Alabama	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Tarleton State

See also: 2025 Tarleton State Texans football team

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

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Lions	-	-	-	-	0
Texans	-	-	-	-	0

at Memorial Stadium • Stephenville, TX

• Date: November 15

Statistics	UNA	TAR
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
North Alabama	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Tarleton State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Southern Utah

See also: 2025 Southern Utah Thunderbirds football team

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

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Thunderbirds	-	-	-	-	0
Lions	-	-	-	-	0

at Braly Municipal Stadium • Florence, AL

• Date: November 22

Statistics	SUU	UNA
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Southern Utah	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
North Alabama	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

References

1. 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.