The Lions football team arrived at Flowers Hall as Gulf South Conference champions at 8:36 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 9.

With a 55-28 win over conference newcomer Florida Institute of Technology, UNA claimed their first conference championship since 2009.

“Our goal is for our student-athletes to graduate champions,” said Athletic Director Mark Linder. “And (the football team) will be able to do that.”

The Lions have now won at least a share of the conference crown when they finished 5-1 in the conference after the victory.

“It is a great day to be a Lion,” Linder said.

The win makes it the Lions’ 10th conference title and the most of any GSC school.The newest conference title also gives the Lions the most of any current or former league members.

“We are so excited for coach Wallace, his staff and our student-athletes,” Linder said.

Head Coach Bobby Wallace won his fourth GSC title with the Lions, giving him the most by any UNA head football coach.

“It is a great accomplishment,” Linder said. “The fact that he was able to come back here and do it is great.”

Wallace and the Lions are preparing for their non-conference opponent Tarleton State to close out of the regular season on Nov. 16.

“It is two very good teams playing each other,” Linder said. “They are both trying to solidify their position in the playoffs.”

TSU is 7-2 this season and has won at least a share of the Lone Star Conference title. The game will be played in Stephenville, Texas.

“They are an outstanding football team, and they play in one of the top Division II conference’s in the nation,” Wallace said in a press release. “For them to have won their conference speaks volumes about what an accomplished team they have.”

The Lions will be attempting to secure a playoff bid as they are ranked third in Super Region 2 of Division II. The top six teams from each region make it to the playoffs.

“With the regional rankings, you never know what can happen so we have told our kids that we are approaching it like the playoffs begin this week,” Wallace said in a press release. “We are playing to make the playoffs and for seeding, and they are doing the same.”

The Lions will be coming off a good performance against the Florida Institute of Technology where their offense on their first five drives against FIT.

UNA had a 34-14 lead heading into halftime.

The Panthers never got closer than 13 in the second half as UNA went on to the 55-28 victory.

FIT out gained the Lions 471-451, but the UNA defense intercepted five passes and recovered two fumbles to end seven of the Panthers drives.

Gabe Poe made 11 tackles, had an interception and broke up two passes in the game to earn his second GSC Defensive Player of the Week this season for UNA.

Philbert Marshall was named GSC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance.