The Lions will host a blackout game Thursday, Oct. 13 in Braly Stadium against Gulf South Conference rival Delta State.

North Alabama, ranked No. 1 in Division II play, and Delta State, ranked No. 2, will battle head to head at UNA’s first GSC rivalry game of the season. This game will begin a stretch of four straight league games for both schools.

“We will have to come out hot,” said linebacker Tommie Westbrook. “We will have to have the same intensity that we had at Cowboys stadium. This is a big game. Our goal is, of course, to beat Delta and start right, being 1-0 in conference play.”

Delta State, 6-1 for the season, grabbed a loss early in a nail-biting game with Northwestern State 24-23 Sept. 1. UNA remains a perfect 6-0 after defeating the Wonder Boys of Arkansas Tech Saturday 44-10.

North Alabama leads the all-time series against Delta State 30-22-1 and has won seven of the 10 meetings.

“Against Delta State, we’re going to have to play good ‘ole UNA football,” Westbrook said. “As for the purple swarm, that’s what I play, so that’s what I usually talk about-we’re going to have to get after it with relentless effort.”

Westbrook provided an analogy to describe the way UNA will have to “stay after” Delta State: shutting down its offense, and keeping its flawless quarterback, Micah Davis, (he has thrown for 2,024 yards and 15 touchdowns this year), off the field, giving running room for the Lions Offensively.

“When I talk about being relentless, I think of Freddie Krueger,” Westbrook said. “You know-the guy who will come after you in your sleep. You cannot close your eyes without him trying to hurt you; that’s the kind of competitive play we need Thursday against Delta in order to be successful.”

Turnovers have played a huge role with Delta state in recent years. UNA won seven of the last nine meetings before last year’s playoff game. Delta State lost 32 turnovers in those nine games, and the Lions were able to pick off 22 passes and recover 10 fumbles.

UNA only had six turnovers in those nine games, four of which had no turnovers. However, in last year’s playoff game, UNA had two turnovers, while Delta State had zero. The Statesmen were able to seal the victory 47-24.

Head coach Terry Bowden said they will have a short week to prepare for DSU, having just beaten Arkansas Tech Saturday 44-10. Delta State will have a full week to prepare, having played Oct. 6, beating Arkansas-Monticello at home 34-20.

“We will have to get some rest after this game and get everyone focused on the plan,” Bowden said. “We will do the best that we can do, and we will see what happens.”

Can’t make it to the game on Thursday? Follow @FlorAlaSports on Twitter.

Team Leaders

Passing: Lee Chapple – 1711 yds., 13 tds., 6 ints.

Rushing: Antwan Ivey- 259 yds., 5 tds.

              Wes Holland- 223 yds., 1 touchdown

Recieving: Tristan Purifoy- 484 yds., 6 tds.

                Mo Milliam- 433 yds., 3 tds.

                Jason Smith- 291 yds., 1 touchdown