No. 3 UNA taking on Muleriders

With  two non-conference wins out of the way, the University of North Alabama Lions turn their attention Saturday to the start of the 2010 Gulf South Conference race.

The Lions, 2-0 and ranked No. 3 nationally in the NCAA Division II, face an always tough opponent in Southern Arkansas at Braly Stadium.

At one time UNA was 1-4 against the Muleriders but the Lions have stepped up with eight straight wins in the series. None of those wins have come easily, however.

The Muleriders enter Saturday’s game as the only winless GSC school at 0-2. SAU was shutout by Harding to open the season, then dropped a 37-13 decision to FCS member Texas State last Saturday.

Despite returning just six starters from 2009, the defending GSC champion Lions were picked as the preseason favorite to repeat as league champions. Through at least two games of the season, no one can argue with that prediction.

UNA’s offense has come to life in the first two weeks and comes in averaging 40.5 points, 415 passing yards and 505 total yards per game.

Junior quarterback Lee Chapple, the GSC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance against Glenville State, has already thrown for 768 yards and six touchdowns in his first two games at UNA.

A total of 15 different players have pass receptions for the Lions, Chris Coffey has emerged as a solid runner in the backfield and the team has given up just three turnovers. All of that behind a depleted offensive line that should only get stronger as the season progresses and injured players make their way back into the lineup.

Defensively, UNA is allowing just 10 points and 67 rushing yards per game. The Lions have already forced seven turnovers.

Southern Arkansas enters the game averaging just 8.5 points and 178.5 total yards per game.

A win Saturday for UNA would extend the Lions domination of the GSC’s Arkansas member schools to 26. UNA has 25 straight wins over the Arkansas schools dating back to a regular season loss at Central Arkansas in 2005.