After giving up a combined 61 points in their first two games of the season, the UNA defense showed up Saturday night, shutting out the Knights of Kentucky Christian 39-0.

The Lions’ defense held Kentucky Christian to a combined 181 yards for the whole game. True freshman defensive back Jalen Reedus shined in his debut, as he caused three of the defense’s five turnovers.

 “I just want to go out here and help my team the best way I can,” Reedus said.

Coach Bobby Wallace said the defense was what made the difference for the Lions tonight.

“I thought the defense played outstanding,” Wallace said. “They turned the ball over to the offense, so they got the ball for them.”

The offense was led by the ground game of the Lions. UNA rushed for 391 yards on the night, their most in over a decade. Chris Alexander rushed for 132 yards on 20 carries including a nine yard touchdown in the first quarter. Chris Coffey ran for 100 yards on eight carries.

Michael Schuster tied the NCAA DII record for field goal conversions in a game with five makes, with his longest being his career long of fifty yards.