The Lions forced five turnovers en route to a 38-21 victory over the University West Georgia Saturday, Oct. 12 at Braly Municipal Stadium.

The Lions now turn their attention to a non-conference opponent as they play host to Texas A&M-Kingsville on Oct. 19.

“Well it’s an advantage (to not have to travel,) but we won last year so you can’t say it is an advantage that is going to win you the game,” said head coach Bobby Wallace. 

The Javelinas are coming to Florence looking to get back on track after dropping their last three games.

After a 3-0 start, Kingsville has struggled to get a win, with all of their losses coming by double digits, including one loss by 62 points.

“Last year the game came down to the wire,” said defensive coordinator Chris Willis. “And just like we wanted revenge on West Georgia, I’m sure their going to want some revenge on us.”

Last year the Lions defeated Kingsville 21-16.

The Javelinas like to keep the ball on the ground, and they feature a running game that has averaged 146.5 per game.

A loss to Kingsville does not hurt UNA’s playoff chances, but Wallace said he understands the importance of winning every game.

“We lost to Jacksonville and that carried over to Delta,” Wallace said.  “After beating Shorter after the bye, that momentum carried into the West Georgia Game, and I’m hoping this momentum carries over to (Texas A&M) Kingsville.”

UNA is heading into the second half of the season 3-2. The Lions started last season with a 4-1 record but finished the season by losing four out of the five remaining regular season games.

“I hope experience helps us, we got tough games,” Wallace said. “We have to play well to win.”

Experience is going to be important for the Lions in the second half of the season, Wallace said.

The game against UWG was important for UNA, he said.

“I thought it was a big game for us, it was a big win,” Wallace said. “I know how good West Georgia can be and especially if you let them do the things they do best. I am proud of our players. 

The Lions were four for nine passing on the evening for 19 yards.

“They did a good job in the secondary reading pass and run,” said offensive coordinator Cody Gross. “There were a few things that we could have done, but I did not see the need in doing it.”

The Lions gained 294 yards on the ground on 55 attempts. Senior Chris Coffey led the way with 109 yards on 18 carries. Quarterback Luke Wingo chipped in with 100 yards on 18 carries.

LaMonte Thompson, UNA’s leading rusher, came into the game dressed but did not play in the game against UWG, Gross said.

“He was ready. He was ready to go and we were going to see what the situation was,” Wallace said. “And not to see we did not need him, but we were able to get by without him. And that was the best for him and the football team.”

With Thomspon out of the game, Coffey was given the majority of the carries.

“We knew heading into the game and we talked about it in our staff meeting, that (Coffey) would have to carry it as many time as his number, which is 26,” Wallace said.

Coffey did the easy part in the running game, he said.

 “I have to give all thanks to the O-line and receivers for blocking for me,” Coffey said. “(My) 100 yards is their 100 yards, I just do the easy part.” 

Defensively, UNA put up six points of their own and caused five turnovers.

“The difference between us and them was turnovers and our ability to throw the ball when we needed to,” said Wallace.

The Lions held West Georgia to eight completions on 20 attempts with 62 yards passing and picked off the two West Georgia quarterbacks on three occasions.

UNA improved their overall record to 3-2 and their conference record to 2-2.