The Gulf South Conference race begins in earnest for the University of North Alabama football team Saturday as the Lions begin a run of seven straight league games to close out the regular season.

The game will also serve as the Lions’ 2010 Homecoming contest, dubbed – “The Greatest Show on Turf.”

The Lions have done what they were supposed to do to this point, winning each of their four previous games, and doing so by comfortable margins.

To this point the Lions’ defensive unit is one of the best in the nation, allowing just 6.5 points, 31 rushing yards and 232 total yards per game. No team has rushed for 100 yards against UNA and no one has gained 300 total yards.

The Lions have allowed just three touchdowns in four games and have given up just three total points in the second half.

North Alabama’s offense, meanwhile, has come together to score 40 points per game and is averaging 432 total yards.

Junior quarterback Lee Chapple has thrown for 1,153 yards and 10 touchdowns and the Lions have had 16 different players on the receiving end this season.

The backfield trio of Wes Holland, Antwan Ivey and Chris Coffey has also given the Lions a solid threat on the ground.

UNA will be hosting Arkansas Tech for the third straight time in this series. The Lions defeated the Wonder Boys in both the regular season and the playoffs in Florence a year ago.

This year’s ATU squad is 2-2 coming off a hard-fought road win at Arkansas-Monticello, 30-25.  The Wonder Boys have two common opponents with UNA so far, having defeated Lambuth but losing to Henderson State.

ATU battled Delta State down to the wire before falling 27-25 and will certainly come to Braly Stadium fully loaded and looking for the upset.

Tech has pulled one of the biggest upsets in UNA history, downing the Lions 38-35 in 1996 and snapping the Lions then Division II record 28-game home winning streak.