Saturday, September 8, 2007

NO. 4 NORTH ALABAMA WINS SEASON OPENER 43-24 OVER TUSCULUM

FLORENCE, Ala. --- North Alabama exploded for 34 first half points as the fourth-ranked Lions were victorious in their season opener over visiting Tusculum College 43-24, Saturday night at Braly Municipal Stadium.

North Alabama (1-0) racked up 404 yards offensively, while the UNA defense forced five turnovers. Tusculum finished with 305 total offensive yards. Tusculum is off to its first 0-3 start since 1997 as the Pioneers wrap up a grueling three-game road trip to open the year.

A.J. Milwee went 18-for-34 for 248 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Lions, including a 75-yard strike to Joemal Campbell in the opening quarter to give UNA a 14-0 lead. Campbell finished with six catches for 136 yards. Tim Hicks rushed for 86 yards and two touchdowns for the Lions.

Jason Messing pulled in a 19-yard pass from Milwee for the first score of the game, capping a seven-play, 69-yard drive. Scott Shurden added the extra-point to give UNA a 7-0 lead at the 11:38 mark of the first quarter.

On UNA’s next possession, Milwee completed a short pass to Campbell, who raced 75 yards to the end zone. Shurden’s PAT extended UNA’s lead to 14-0 at 7:39 of the first quarter.

Milwee was intercepted on UNA’s next possession by Justin Scott and the Pioneers wasted little time finding the end zone. Jamichael Caldwell caught a 23-yard TD pass from

Corey Russell and Justin Higgins’ PAT closed the gap to 14-7 at the 1:06 mark of the first quarter. That TD grab was the 14^th of Caldwell’s career, establishing a new school record. Caldwell has also made a reception in 32 consecutive contests.

UNA answered with a six-yard touchdown run by Tim Hicks, following a Campbell fumble recovery on a botched punt return at the TC 6. Shurden’s kick made it 21-7 at 14:16 of the second quarter.

Tusculum cut into the deficit once again as Higgins booted a 32-yard field goal with 12:19 left before halftime to make the score 21-10, but a David McCants’ three-yard TD run made it 28-10 at 8:14 of the second period.

After an injury to Russell which forced him from the game, red-shirt freshman Brandon Behenna entered the game and fired a 62-yard touchdown pass on the first play to Brandon Dixon. Higgins kick made it 28-17 at the 7:11 mark of the second quarter.

Shurden booted field goals of 41 and 34 yards, the last coming as time expired, sending UNA to the locker room with a 34-17 advantage.

UNA’s Hicks rushed nine yards for a touchdown at the 12:23 mark of the third quarter and the Lions added a safety at the 3:40 mark of the period for a 43-17 lead. The game’s final score came on a nine-yard TD pass from Behenna to Darrell Hayes with 7:42 left in the game.

Russell went 13-for-29 for 103 yards and a touchdown, including seven completions to sophomore Ryan Tallent for 67 yards.

Justin Scott led Tusculum’s defensive efforts making 10 tackles, forced a fumble and recovered another in the loss. Jovon Miller also accounted for 10 stops for the Pioneers.

Tusculum returns home next Saturday when they host Saint Paul’s College at Pioneer Field for a 1:30 p.m. kickoff.

- TC -