Florala

Issue date: 9/4/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Zach Wiginton GOING FOR THE PASS - Senior Quaterback A.J. Milwee goes for a pass during the first quater. He finished the game 17 of 28 for 329 yards and four touchdowns.

The fourth-ranked University of North Alabama football team opened the 2008 season in style with a 57-14 rout of Southern Arkansas at Braly Municipal Stadium. UNA took a quick 13-0 lead in the first quarter and led 30-14 at the half.

The 57 points scored by UNA was the second most points ever scored by a Lion team in a season opener, trailing

only the 68 points scored by UNA against Stillman in 2003.

North Alabama's offense rolled up 624 yards, gaing 257 rushing and 367 passing. It was the fifth best offensive production in school history.

The offensive explosion included A.J. Milwee touchdown

passes of 12, 63, 83 and 37 yards, Mike McLendon touchdown runs of 42 and four yards, a Brandon Pickett TD dive and three Tom Schneider field goals.

The UNA defense allowed the Muleriders to pick up 372 yards but picked off two passes and recovered two fumbles.

North Alabama scored on its opening possession as Schneider, a senior transfer

from the University of California, drilled a 27-yard field goal at the 12:06 mark of the first quarter. Schneider added a 35-yard field goal on UNA's second possession for a 6-0 lead at 8:14 of the opening

period. McLendon's electrified

the crowd of 11,024 with a 42-yard TD run with 2:38 left in the quarter and Schneider's PAT made it 13-0.

Milwee's 12-yard TD pass to Rocky Coleman with 13:08 left in the second quarter extended UNA's lead to 20-0 before SAU could get on the scoreboard.

A 20-yard touchdown pass from Ryan McCombie to Raphyael with 8:26 left in the half cut UNA's lead to 20-7. A 50-yard Tyson TD run at the 4:23 mark then cut the Lions' lead to just six at 20-14. North Alabama answered with a seven-play, 76-yard TD drive and McLendon scored from four yards out with 1:58 left in the half. With UNA leading 27-14, Schneider added a 23-yard field goal with one second remaining in the half to make it 30-14 at intermission.

After both offenses sputtered

to open the second half, UNA was back on the scoreboard

when Milwee launched a 63-yard TD pass to Coleman with 7:26 left in the third quarter. Less than three minutes

later, Milwee hit Ed Gant behind all SAU defenders and he raced 83 yards to the end zone. Schneider's kick made it 44-14 with 4:37 left in the third. UNA's final two scores came on a 37-yard TD pass from Milwee to David McCants with 11:51 left in the game, and on a one-yard dive by Pickett with 5:08 remaining.

Milwee finished the game 17-of-28 passing for 329 yards and four TDs. McCants rushed seven times for 76 yards and had five catches for 62 yards. McLendon finished the game with 110 yards rushing on just 12 carries.

It was UNA's sixth straight season-opening win and the Lions notched their 14th straight win against schools from the state of Arkansas. The Lions have won 15 straight regular season games at home.

UNA will travel to Jefferson City, Tenn., next Thursday (Sept. 4) to take on nationally ranked Carson-Newman. The game will be televised live by CBS College Sports TV.

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