The Lions intercepted the Texas A&M-Kingsville offense on three different occasions, leading the way to a 49-17 win on Saturday, Oct. 19.

 Two of the passes were picked off in the first half and the third was returned for a touchdown by pre-season All-American safety Caleb Massey.

 “They were trying to get the ball to number seven, and I baited him and boom it was a pick six,” Massey said.

 The Javelinas were held to 313 yards of total offense with a large amount of those yards coming with the Lions second unit in.  

 “We don’t like to give up points, but with a lead we were able to get the young guys some reps,” said defensive coordinator Chris Willis.

 For the first time all year, UNA’s offense was able to get more yards through the air than on the ground. The Lions gained 366 yards of total offense with 245 coming through the air and 121 coming on the ground.

 “I don’t care about stats and balance,” Willis said. “I care about winning.”

 UNA opened the game with a five-play, 68-yard drive that was capped off by a one-yard touchdown run by quarterback Luke Wingo.

The Lions went on to score touchdowns on their next two possessions to get to a 21-0 lead by the end of the first quarter.

 “We talked about starting fast,” said head coach Bobby Wallace. “When things went against them early, they didn’t respond well.”

 UNA now turns their attention to the defending national champions when they travel to Valdosta, Ga. to take on conference rival Valdosta State University.

 Valdosta State brings a 5-1 (3-1 in conference) record into the contest.

 The Blazers are coming off a 35-30 victory over the University of West Georgia.

 Conference title hopes for both the Lions and Valdosta will be up for grabs this weekend, as both teams will need a win to have a realistic chance to capture the Gulf South Championship crown. 

 “We’ve got to win this one to keep our conference championship hopes alive,” Wallace said. 

 The blazers will bring a high-octane offense into the game that has averaged just over 432 yards per game.  

 “Defensively we’re going to have to stay sound in our assignments,” Willis said.

 Defensively the Blazers have given up 366 yards per game and the yards have been mainly through the air.

 “We threw the ball well tonight,” said offensive coordinator Cody Gross. “That’s going to make Valdosta prepare for both aspects of our offense.”

 The game is set for a 2 p.m. kickoff at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium in Valdosta, Ga.