RICHMOND, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky University football fell to North Alabama, 20-16, in its United Athletic Conference opener Saturday night at CG Bank Field at Roy Kidd Stadium.
The Colonels (1-4, 0-1 UAC) took a 13-3 lead into halftime, but North Alabama (4-2, 1-0 UAC) scored 14 unanswered points in the third quarter to take the lead before holding on for the win.
North Alabama opened the scoring with a 50-yard field goal midway through the first quarter before EKU answered late in the period. Junior running back
Brady Hensley capped a four-play, 59-yard drive with a 12-yard touchdown run, putting the Colonels in front, 7-3, with 1:01 remaining in the opening quarter.
EKU added to its advantage in the second quarter behind the leg of junior kicker and Cincinnati native
Devin Orr. The Colonels put together a 12-play, 68-yard drive that ended with Orr's 32-yard field goal before the junior connected from 23 yards with 33 seconds remaining in the half to send EKU into the locker room with a 13-3 advantage.
The Lions responded after halftime, driving 75 yards on their opening possession of the third quarter and cutting the deficit to 13-10 on a one-yard touchdown pass from Destin Wade to Kamore Harris. North Alabama took its first lead since the opening quarter later in the period when Wade scored on a two-yard run to make it 17-13.
EKU pulled back within one in the fourth quarter as Orr capped a lengthy possession with a 43-yard field goal with 7:14 remaining. North Alabama answered on the ensuing possession with a 25-yard field goal, extending its advantage to 20-16 with 3:05 to play.
Hensley led the Colonels with 96 rushing yards and a touchdown on 24 carries while adding 33 yards receiving. Senior wide receiver
Elijah Caldwell led EKU with six receptions for 53 yards. Orr finished a perfect 3-for-3 on field-goal attempts in his first collegiate start at placekicker.
Defensively, EKU held North Alabama to 280 yards of total offense and recorded four sacks. Cameron Jessee led the Colonels with nine tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss, while
Kaden Smith added seven stops.
The Colonels return to action next Saturday against West Georgia at home. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET.
