The weather may have been cold, but the North Alabama defense stayed hot the entire game for a 20-7 victory over Delta State Oct. 26.

Delta State added seven points to the board early in the first quarter, but this was the only time the Statesmen saw the end zone.

“It was a much-needed win,” said UNA head football coach Chris Willis. “Once again, our defense, those guys played extremely hard.”

UNA’s defense held the Statesmen to 148 total yards.

Maurice Carnell, Chris Johnson and Dorsey Norris each intercepted a Delta State pass to regain UNA possession.

Field goal kicker Chandler Carrera added the first UNA points to the board with a 31-yard-field goal at the end of the first quarter.

UNA’s offense had a difficult time capitalizing in the first half, but quarterback Rico Bruton’s 89-yard touchdown run gave the Lions the motivation it needed going into halftime with a 10-7 lead.

Bruton went out of the game due to injury at the end of the half, and Matt Markham took his place.

Carrera added another field goal to increase the UNA lead.

Markham completed a 27-yard pass to Alex Norwood to seal the Lions’ victory late in the third quarter.

The Lions will travel to West Florida next week in a critical Gulf South Conference game.

Stick with The Flor-Ala for injury updates of quarterback Rico Bruton.