Football season began with a challenging trial as Western Kentucky upset the Lions at 55-6.
After two years of starting the season at week zero, a set of games played before the official start of the season, UNA began with a different challenge at week one. For the second time in school history, the season opener’s adversary was a Football Bowl Subdivision team, the highest level of NCAA Division I college football.
Away from home, Houchens-Smith Stadium in Bowling Green, Ky., served as the stage for the Lions’ first test. UNA’s defense started the night with energy, forcing a three-and-out on WKU’s opening drive. It was then a punt that set the Hilltoppers into the red zone. Four plays later, they scored the first touchdown of the game.
UNA only scored in the first quarter. Led by starting quarterback Ari Patu’s steady offensive drives, Auburn transfer Ian Vachon opened his UNA career with two field goals. A 47-yard kick marked Vachon as the longest field goal scorer since 2019, when Joe Gurley scored a 48-yard field goal. The pair of goals brought the Lions to the closest they would be to the Hilltoppers in the scoreboard, and were the only two scores of their game.
WKU stole the win with four second-quarter touchdowns and seven total. Despite the loss, UNA Head Coach Brent Dearmon saw a light at the end of the tunnel.
“There’s a lot of bright spots,” Dearmon said. “We had sustained drives early on in this football game, we got to finish. We didn’t have a turnover on offense…our guys never quit. We have to shore up some things. We’ve got to find a rhythm and stay with that rhythm the whole game. I have a great feeling this team will get better from week one to week two.”
At the end of the 2024 season, Dearmon said he was focused on playing “mistake-free football,” and eliminating turnovers on offense was one of his main goals.
Patu, who had been sidelined ever since early last season due to an injury, led UNA by completing 11 of 20 passes for 86 passing yards. Defensive Coordinator Brock Caraboa said Patu is finding his voice within his leadership style.
“He’s such a smart kid,” Caraboa said. “Sometimes those guys can kind of have a weird way of relating to people, but he’s really developed his relationship style. I think the guys really know that he cares about them.”
Redshirt sophomore Destin Wade added five completions for 19 yards and contributed 33 rushing yards on the ground. Patu added another 33 yards with his legs, while running backs Jayvian Allen and Jalyn Daniels each chipped in 29 rushing yards.
The Lions (0–1) will now turn their focus to Football Championship Subdivision competition, as they travel to Cape Girardeau next Saturday to face Southeast Missouri. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.
