UNA rally spoils Delta State's upset hopes 34-24

By Staff
Scot Beard
FLORENCE – The University of North Alabama football team got more of a game than it bargained for against Delta State in a nationally televised contest Thursday night.
The Lions rallied from a 10-point deficit to record a 34-24 victory that preserved their undefeated season and moved them one step closer to a Gulf South Conference title.
"It was a great test and a great team effort," UNA coach Terry Bowden said. "They played like the Delta State teams of the past few years."
The Lions got off to a quick start when running back Tim Hicks scampered into the end zone from 39 yards out to put UNA ahead 7-0 only 35 seconds into the game.
The Statesmen answered with a pair of touchdown runs by Trevar Deed – who was a thorn in the Lions side all night and finished the game with 122 rushing yards and 115 receiving yards – to take a 14-7 lead.
"Trevar Deed is everything they built him up to be and more," Bowden said.
The Lions tied the game on a 56-yard touchdown pass from Harrison Beck to Mico McSwain with 4:41 to play in the first quarter.
Delta State responded by adding a touchdown and a field goal.
Beck threw his second touchdown pass of the night – a 7-yard pass to T.J. Porter – with 4:17 remaining in the second quarter to round out the first-half scoring and leaving Delta State with a 24-21 halftime advantage.
"The defense wasn't playing well," Bowden said. "The defense worked hard and made adjustments (at halftime)."
Those adjustments paid off as the UNA defense tightened in the second half to keep the Statesmen off the scoreboard.
Beck hooked up with Porter for another touchdown with 12:13 to play and a 40-yard interception return for a touchdown by Quinton Andrews two minutes later sealed the win for the Lions.
Hicks finished the night with 180 rushing yards on 18 carries and one touchdown.
"I felt confident in the line," Hicks said. "Those guys did a good job all night."
Beck completed 18-of-24 passes for 213 yards and three touchdowns while Porter led the Lions with seven receptions for 72 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
The Lions play their third straight Thursday night game next week when they travel to Valdosta State.