It is football season once again, and the UNA Lions are ready to hit the field. The Lions will look to improve upon their 5-5 record and fourth place Gulf South Conference (GSC) finish from the 2012 season. 

This year’s team will have more experience, with 24 players who started at least one game last year returning this season, said Head Coach Bobby Wallace. He said experience is invaluable.

“There’s a big difference from this year and last year,” Wallace said. “Now we’re a year older, more experienced, had a chance to go through the offseason and learn from mistakes we made last year.”

He is also happy with how far the freshmen who played last year have come, Wallace said.

“All of the true freshmen that played last year are obviously so far ahead of where they were this time last year,” he said. “Not only is it from just a mental standpoint, but a physical standpoint as well,”

One of the key experienced players is sophomore quarterback Luke Wingo, Wallace said. Last year Wingo started out splitting playing time with Chris Alexander, but eventually took over as starter. Wingo threw for 845 yards and three touchdowns last season. 

Wingo will come into this season as the No. 1 quarterback, with redshirt freshman Jacob Tucker as his backup, Wallace said.

Wallace said he will expect more from Wingo this year as a full-time starter, Wallace said.

“I expect [Wingo] to be more of a leader, even though he was a good leader last year,” Wallace said. “He’s going to have to handle more situations on the field, be more knowledgeable of our offense and get us in and out of the right plays.”

Not only is Wallace expecting more from his starting quarterback, but Wingo said he is setting the bar high for himself as well.

“My expectations for myself are very high this season,” Wingo said. “I feel a lot more comfortable with the offense this year, and it just comes second nature to me now. I believe that I can be the leader of this team and the quarterback that helps our team do something special.”

10 players were named to the preseason all-conference team. Running back LaMonte Thompson, wide receiver Jason Smith and guard David Lundberg represent the UNA offense.

Six players from the UNA defense were named to the All-GSC team including safety Caleb Massey, safety Floyd Jones, linebacker Gabe Poe, linebacker Tavarius Wilson, defensive tackle Taylor Carney and defensive end Dimitri Orr. Punter Michael Schuster was also named to the all-conference team.

The Lions’ defense should be even better in 2013, Wallace said. Junior Terrance Hayward, a transfer from Washington State, as well as senior Nick Williams and sophomore Jalen Reedus will all be players to keep tabs on.

“We’re going to start nine seniors and two juniors on defense, possibly, and if we do, we expect them to all be good because they’re seniors and juniors,” Wallace said. 

Keys players on the offense will be sophomore running back Diamond Simmons and sophomore wide receiver Lee Mayhall, Wallace said. 

“The guy that may not be a household name right now but I think has the potential to have a breakout year is Lee Mayhall,” Wallace said. “And of course I think everyone saw the long runs by Diamond Simmons last year.”

Simmons rushed 203 yards on 12 attempts with two touchdowns last year, while Mayhall caught 17 passes for 243 yards and two touchdowns.

Despite the struggles of last season, the Lions are confident and said they believe they can do big things in 2013.

“My expectations for this team are great,” Wingo said. “I believe our team has the potential to win a national championship.”

Wallace said he has the same expectations and believes the Lions can reach their goals.

“My expectation is to win the conference,” he said. “Anything less than that is a disappointment. Make the playoffs, win the conference and win a national championship. That’s always our goal. If we stay healthy, then this team can reach any goal they set.”