FLORENCE, Ala. – Eastern Kentucky University's football team suffered its second conference loss of the season on Saturday night at North Alabama, 35-14.
A one score game at the halftime break, UNA scored on its first two offensive drives of the second half to break the game open.
"It was a great effort by them [North Alabama]," said head coach
Walt Wells. "Give them all the credit on what they did … We had some drives where we had some things going, but we keep doing things that hurt us that we can't do. We have to improve … and move forward."
The loss sees EKU fall to 3-4 on the season and 1-2 in United Athletic Conference play while UNA improves to 2-5 for the season and 1-2 in the conference.
How It Happened
The Lions looked to strike early getting to first and goal at the Colonels, one-yard line on UNA's opening drive, but EKU stonewalled them on four straight runs forcing a turnover on downs.
UNA eventually did break the dead lock late in the first quarter, capitalizing on a miss hit punt by EKU that set up the Lions inside Colonel territory.
Three plays later, the Lions converted on a one-yard rush up the middle to go up, 7-0 with 1:13 left in the opening quarter.
The Colonels answered late in the second quarter driving 81 yards on 11 plays culminating in a 27-yard catch and run touchdown pass from
Myles Burkett to
Marcus Calwise Jr.
The Lions punched right back driving 75 yards on 13 plays ending in a 18-yard touchdown pass over the middle with only 20 seconds left in the half.
The score put UNA up 14-7 going into the break.
UNA picked up where they left off in the second half scoring another touchdown on the opening drive of the second half with a five-yard pass to the right side extending the Lions' lead to 14.
Following an EKU punt, the Lions scored again on a two-yard run with 19 seconds left in the third quarter moving the score to 28-7.
The Lions added another touchdown in the fourth quarter pushing their lead to 28 with 3:49 left.
Brady Hensley got EKU on the board in the second half with a 32-yard touchdown run off the right side bringing the score to its final of 35-14.
Up Next
The Colonels will be at home next Saturday to face undefeated, No. 3 Tarleton State for Homecoming in Richmond.