Box Score
FLORENCE, Ala. – North Alabama, the third-ranked team in NCAA Division II football, amassed 706 yards and defeated Harding 52-0 Thursday in Gulf South Conference play at Braly Municipal Stadium. It was the first time the Bisons had been shutout since a 23-0 loss to Henderson State in 2005.
With the victory, North Alabama remained unbeaten at 5-0 overall and 3-0 in the GSC. Harding dropped its third straight and fell to 1-4 overall and 0-2 in conference.
North Alabama quarterback A.J. Milwee completed all eight of his passes in the first quarter for 206 yards, including a 90-yard touchdown pass to Ed Gant, and the Lions led 21-0 after the first period. It was the second-longest pass play in UNA history.
North Alabama surpassed the 300-yard mark in total offense on its second play of the second quarter and had 524 yards at halftime.
Harding's longest play of the first half, a 26-yard pass from David Knighton to Jordan Watson, resulted in a fumble after Watson made the first defender miss but was stripped of the ball by the second.
North Alabama led 49-0 at halftime, breaking the previous school record for points in a half of 46 set against Arkansas-Monticello in 2004. The Lions scored touchdowns on their first six possessions and have scored 112 unanswered points over their last three games.
Milwee completed his first 10 passes for 234 yards. He left in the midway through the second quarter after going 13-of-14 for 314 yards and two touchdowns. Lion backup quarterback Genario McNealy led UNA's seventh touchdown drive of the half. Four different players took snaps at quarterback for the Lions as UNA passed for a school-record 492 yards.
Harding's deepest first half penetration into North Alabama territory was the 29-yard line, but the Bisons failed to pick up a first down on fourth-and-10 and the Lions took over on downs.
In the third, Harding drove to the North Alabama 17 following a 42-yard pass from Knigton to Tyler O'Quin. But Knighton threw an interception to Lion middle linebacker Michael Johnson on the next play that ended the Bisons' scoring threat. UNA ended Harding's final drive of the game with an interception in the end zone.
North Alabama's only points in the second half came on a 46-yard field goal by kicker Tom Schneider, a transfer from the University of California. The points came with 2:59 left in the game.
Knighton completed 21-of-41 passes for 232 yards, and backup Zach Tribble connected on 8-of-12 for 43 yards. Senior running back Alan Webster had his best game of the season with 69 yards on 10 carries. Junior Zac Ross had seven receptions for 80 yards.
Harding returns to Searcy next Saturday for the first of two consecutive home games. The Bisons host Southern Arkansas on Oct. 4 at 6 p.m.
