UNA lost to UT Martin on Sep. 14 at Hardy M. Graham Stadium with a score of 28-43. The Lions held strong throughout the first half, but the Skyhawks came back in the second half.
First-string quarterback, Ari Patu, is out with an injury sustained in the Illinois St. game on Sep. 7. DC Tabscott, a junior, stepped in to fill Patu’s shoes, participating in his first game of the 2024 season. Tabscott threw two touchdowns and ended his game-time with a passing percentage of 46 percent.
The North Alabama Lions jumped out to a commanding start, posting 25 points in the first half and holding an 18-10 lead at the end of the first quarter. Just over eight minutes into the game, the Skyhawks trailed 18-0 after Scott Payne’s 45-yard field goal.
However, turnovers proved costly as two interceptions in the first half shifted the momentum to the visiting UT Martin Skyhawks.
The first turnover came in the final minute of the first quarter when quarterback Kobe Warden’s pass, intended for Dakota Warfield (0), was intercepted by UT Martin’s Chris Hunter Jr. (7). The Skyhawks capitalized on the turnover, with Trevonte Rucker (1) scoring their first touchdown of the game.
Another interception followed in the second quarter when North Alabama’s DC Tabscott (17) targeted Rush Lansdell (4), only for UT Martin’s JaMichael McGoy, Jr. (8) to intercept the pass. However, the Lions’ defense responded swiftly, with Barry Womack (13) intercepting a Skyhawks pass to prevent another scoring opportunity.
Despite their early success, the Lions struggled to maintain momentum in the second half. UT Martin seized control in the third quarter with two touchdowns and a safety, where the offensive team was forced out of bounds in their own end zone or committed a penalty while in their end zone, marking a pivotal turn in the game. The Skyhawks rode their second-half surge to secure the win, as the Lions’ early lead slipped away.
The final quarter of the game was the lowest scoring, with UNA with zero and UT Martin with one touchdown, equalling seven points. Effectively ending the game 28 to 43.
UT Martin’s work ethic and persistence in the game are the crux of UNA’s loss. UTM consistently scored at least once each quarter.
Despite a challenging night for the Lions, Takairee Kenebrew achieved personal records. He further solidified his place in UNA’s history by recording a career-high 173 receiving yards and two touchdown receptions, pushing his school-record touchdown total to 28.
Kenebrew’s standout performance included a career-long 78-yard touchdown catch from DC Tabscott, followed by another eight-yard score, helping UNA surge to a 15-0 lead within the first five minutes.
