No. 4-ranked North Alabama created four turnovers to help overcome a number of miscues and hold off No. 3 Abilene Christian for a 23-17 win on Saturday in the second game of the Lone Star Football Festival at Cowboys Stadium.
UNA (3-0) missed three field goals as well as an extra-point, fumbled at the 1-yard line in the fourth quarter, had 125 yards in penalties and allowed 493 yards of total offense. However, the Lions managed to build up a 16-10 lead at halftime and didn’t allow ACU (1-1) to score again until 1:42 to play.
After Mitchell Gale connected with Taylor Gabriel for a 5-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, ACU attempted an onside kick. After the lengthy dog pile cleared, it proved to be UNA that recovered and the Lions would run out the clock.
UNA quarterback Lee Chapple was 22-for-37 with one touchdown – to Tristan Purifoy –and no interceptions. Nathan O’Jibway hit a 45-yard field goal, Antwan Ivey found the end zone on a 9-yard scamper and top NFL cornerback prospect Janoris Jenkins had a 49-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown to provide the Lions’ scoring. Jenkin’s TD was the Lions’ only score in the second half.
Marcus Dowtin had 10 tackles, two forced fumbles and a sack to spearhead the UNA defense. Lucas Darr added eight stops, while Jonathan Byrd and Deandre Morgan each made an interception.
Gale went 33 of 59 for 390 yards and two TDs – both two Gabriel (eight catches for 135 yards). Morgan Lineberry hit a 27-yard field goal at the end of the second half.
Thor Woerner had 10 tackles for ACU, while Richard Harris and Darien Williams added eight stops apiece. Ryan Smith had the Wildcats’ only sack and L.B. Suggs forced two fumbles.
Defending LSC champion ACU had its 12-game regular season winning streak come to an end.
UNA notes
- The Lions scored on their opening drive for the second consecutive time this season
- UNA’s 16 first quarter points were their most in any quarter this season
- ACU’s 12 play, 4:45 - 96 yard drive was the longest in plays, time and yards allowed by the Lions this season
- UNA has led at halftime in all 3 games this season
- Lion’s Janoris Jenkins returned a fumble for a touchdown for the first time since Nov. 13, 2010 against Harding
- ACU’s blocked field goal in the third quarter was the first against the Lions since October 21, 2006 against Delta State
- The Lions win the first ever meeting against Abilene Christian
- UNA improves to 5-0 all-time against the Lone Star Conference
- UNA improves their regular season non-conference win streak to 16 games
- The Lions have won 3 straight games against a ranked opponent
ACU Notes
- The Wildcats have trailed at the half in its first two games of the 2011 season.
- Mitchell Gayle has thrown more interceptions in two games this season then he did all of 2010.
- The Wildcats have committed 28 penalties in two games this season.
- ACU has scored in 107 straight games.
- ACU dropped a road-game for the first time since losing, 35-10, at NW Missouri State on Nov. 21, 2009.
- First September loss for the Wildcats since Sept. 1, 2007 (27-17 loss at UCO).
- Loss snaps a 12-game regular season win streak.
- First non-LSC loss in regular season under coach Thomsen.