GAME WEEK vs. TUSCULUM

After having the weekend off, the UNA Lions returned to the practice field Sunday night for a two hour workout under the lights in Braly Stadium.  The Lions, which have won their last 21 out of 23 games in Braly Stadium, concentrated on the kicking game and catching passes under the lights during a 15 minute skelly period.  The Lions also wrapped up the workout with a simulated game script covering all game aspects including substitutions, special situations, the kicking game and game management.

The Lions will return to the UNA practice facility this week after spending the first three weeks at Veteran's Park.

A note to fans:  All Alumni, fans and parents are encouraged to join the tailgating on Spirit Hill and on Royal Avenue.  The team will arrive at Royal Avenue at 4pm on Saturday.  Fans planning on attending the game and the Lion Walk are encouraged to arrive one hour prior to the Lion Walk to get a spot that will be close to the team as they walk thru. 

The Lions face Tusculum College at 6pm.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2007; 7:43 PM

The UNA Lions went through a two and a half hour practice Tuesday finishing up with a controlled scrimmage that featured "back up" and "short yardage" situations.   JD Whited got most of the reps today at right tackle and Luke Chenault also went with the ones at right guard as the Lions offense scrimmaged seven plays from inside their own five yard line.  Offensively, Sam Hathorn continues to improve and Ben Smith has received playing time at left tackle.   WR Pierre Stover has also shown steady progress at wide receiver.

Defensively, the Lions also began installation of their Tusculum College game plan.  LB Terrance Stanton and Ryan Jackson saw limited action today as they try to get caught up after being out with injury.   

TE Covington Wright was back at practice today after a week off due to injury.   WR Jason Messing also performed controlled sprints and running exercises while awaiting his release back to practice which should be within the next few days.

After practice the Lions were treated to a "watermelon cut" which was as welcome as the cooler temperatures during practice.

The Lions return to practice on Wednesday.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 25, 2007

The UNA Lions had a 123play scrimmage Saturday morning in Braly Stadium.   The scrimmage also included the kicking game.  Scott Shurden was the most consistent kicker and punter in the scrimmage as Yuta Fukuta and Kenny Spencer also saw playing time.

The offense started slow as the defense only allowed one first down on the first four drives.  After that the offense put together a few good drives and executed well at times. Although the defense played well early, it seemed to tire late.

"I think we are in good sprinting shape, but today I think it showed late that we have to get into game shape.  There is a big difference,"  Coach Hud said after the scrimmage.  "Offensively we did a great job of taking care of the football.  We have to continue to work on our pass protections and decide on who our best five offensive lineman are at this time.  We also have to eliminate mistakes when we are backed up deep inside our own territory and reduce our number of penalties.  Defensively, we have to decide on our best eleven and get them on the field.  Our depth at defensive line showed today as we got good pressure on the QB.  I thought our starting secondary did a good job, but some guys are going to have to step up to give us depth at LB and in the secondary,"  Coach Hud continued.

"I thought offensively Tim Hicks ran the ball well today and Michael Johnson made his presence known on the defensive side.  AJ and Dusty both played well, they just both need to set the pace for the offense, as they control our tempo."

The Lions will take Sunday off before returning to practice on Monday to begin Tusculum preparation.

WEDNESDAY-THURSDAY, AUGUST 22-23, 2007

The UNA coaching staff moved Wednesday's practice time to 7:30pm to beat the heat and what a great move it was as the Lions had what Coach Hud tabbed as "the best practice of the year."  The Lions worked on short yardage situations as both the first and second teams worked against one another in a short live scrimmage at the end of practice.

On Thursday, Coach Hud said the Lions couldn't sustain any momentum as the Lions practiced in temperatures reaching 104 in the Shoals.  "I thought we let the heat beat us today.  I will say that it was probably the hottest day we have experienced.  I think we are getting in better shape, we just have to continue to develop more mental toughness in the next few weeks,"  Coach Hud said after practice. 

Thursday evening the team attended the "Big Event" on campus which included a kickoff pep rally.  The Lions return to practice Friday for a helmet only practice and try to tune up for Saturday's final scrimmage of the year in Braly Stadium.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2007

The University of North Alabama football team wrapped up fall camp Tuesday with practice in the morning followed by team pictures in the afternoon. Coach Hudspeth said, "The guys pushed through a very hot and long practice, which lasted almost three hours.  I think players are starting to get in pretty decent shape.  We are still needing a few players to step up and help us at LB, but overall I am pleased where we are at at this point." 

Coach Hud mentioned East Central Community College running back transfer David McCant as a player that could see some playing time early.  "David is a tough kid who has really good speed. He is a lot like Eric Packer.  In our system, we really need two backs that can play because of the tempo that we like to run during the game," Coach Hud added.   Defensively, linebacker Michael Johnson returned after missing three days to a minor injury and made his presence known early during middle drill.  "Michael Johnson can make a difference to our defense if he will continue to work hard."

In the afternoon Tuesday, the Lions were in Braly Stadium for team pictures and later that evening a ten members of the team and the coaching staff were greeted by a huge crowd at Sideline's Sports Grill for "Fan Night."

The Lions will practice at night the next two days before returning to the practice field Friday afternoon to tune up for Saturday's final scrimmage in Braly Stadium.

NEWCOMERS SHINE IN FIRST SCRIMMAGE
SATURDAY, AUGUST 18, 2007; 9:59 PM

FLORENCE -- The University of North Alabama's first scrimmage of the fall Saturday at Veteran's Park gave several newcomers a chance to make themselves known to the Lion coaching staff.   Ed Gant, a junior college transfer at wide receiver, had seven receptions for 90 yards. Freshman receiver Charles McClain caught a 67-yard touchdown pass from Dusty Goodwin. UNA  head coach Mark Hudspeth said it was a good day for the Lions as they closed out their first week of practice.  “There  was  some  good  and  some bad,” Hudspeth said. “Our No. 1’s were solid  and  we  were  able  to make some big plays. The defense was limited playing without some key guys and they kept things pretty simple. Our first offense executed well, but the second offense has a long way to go.”  Starting  quarterback  A.J.  Milwee, a Boaz native  who led UNA to an 11-1 record as a starter in 2006,  saw  limited  action in the two-hour scrimmage.  Milwee completed 9-of-15 passes for 45 yards, including a pair of touchdowns in goal-line work.  Backup  quarterback  Dusty  Goodwin of Demopolis worked with both the first and second teams.  Goodwin  was  17-of-30 passing for 206 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.

Senior Reggie  Hubbard  aof Russellville added  five  catches for 28 yards; Trey Gorman had three receptions  for  52  yards  and  Joemal  Campbell caught four passes for 24 yards.  “Ed  Gant  made  several  nice catches, including one where he was out of
bounds  but  still  made  the  catch,” Hudspeth said. “Charles McClain also showed  that  he  has the speed to get up the field for us. Reggie Hubbard, Trey Gorman and Joemal Campbell also played well. We should have good depth at wide receiver.”  McClain,  a 5-8, 170-pound freshman from Oxford, showed why he has a shot at  cracking the playing rotation at wide receiver. After taking in a short pass from Goodwin he made a move on a defender and outran the pursuit for the 67-yard scoring play.

The scrimmage featured all situational plays and no sustained drives, so McClain’s touchdown was the only scoring until the Lions went to goal-line work late.  Campbell and Brandenn Pickett both caught 3-yard touchdown passes from Milwee and Nicholls State transfer Mike McClendon later added a 30-yard touchdown run.  Hudspeth said he was pleased with the UNA defense, which played without starting defensive lineman Tim Hunt and Eric Denson and starting linebacker Michael Johnson.  The Lions will take Sunday off and practice twice Monday. UNA opens its season at home against Tusculum on Sept. 8 at 6 p.m.

PRACTICE NOTES
FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2007; 10:14 PM

The Lions went through a 1:45 minute practice on Friday morning concentrating on tunning up offensive and defensive schemes for Saturday mornings scrimmage.  UNA also worked all aspects of the kicking game during the practice as they try to find a new punter.  Coach Hudspeth said that newcomer kicker Kenny Spencer has really been kicking well and is pushing Yuta Fakuta and Scott Shurden.  The Lions are also in the hunt for a new return specialist with the departure of Anthony Merritt.   Jason Messing, Ed Gant, Reggie Hubbard and Charles McClain have been handling the duties thus far.  The Lions will scrimmage saturday morning at 9am at the Wilson Dam practice field.  Be making your plans to be at Sideline's Sports Grill Tuesday night  August 21st from 6pm to 8pm for "Meet the Lions Night."  Coach Hud, the UNA staff and many players will be on hand to autograph poster schedules and give away UNA Football gear.  

PRACTICE NOTES
THURSDAY, AUGUST 16, 2007; 11:27 PM

The University of North Alabama completed it's first day of two a day practices in sweltering heat.  "I thought for the first time this camp that we fought through the heat and had two solid practices.  I think that it is a sign that our guys are beginning to get in a little shape," said Hudspeth following the Lion's second practice Thursday afternoon.   Tempers flared early in the AM practice during inside drill.  "It was good to finally see that we had a little fight in us,"  Hudspeth added.   That ignited the team and the Lions finished with a very competitive practice the rest of the way.  In the PM practice the Lions, the Lions went in Helmets only, concentrated on special situations, working the entire kicking game and finished up with conditioning drills.  The Lions will practice one time on Friday, cutting back on contact to prepare for their first big scrimmage of the year on Saturday morning.

PRACTICE NOTES
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2007; 6:52 PM

In what started out as a good practice was stopped by Head Coach Mark Hudspeth half way thru.  "I just felt like we were feeling a little sorry for ourselves and challenged our guys to raise the bar.  I assured them that Tusculum was not practicing that way and I feel like the kids really responded and finished with a solid situational team period," Coach Hud said after practice.  Coach Hud was also quick to say that the offensive line really showed improvement.  Coach Hud mentioned that Covington Wright, David McCants and Tez Thigpen practiced well offensively while Craig Fox and Derrick Chapman worked hard on the defensive side.  "David MaCants showed that he really may be able to help us this season and compete for playing time," said Hudspeth.  The Lions will have their first day of two a days on Thursday.

PRACTICE NOTES
TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2007; 11:44 PM

"Circuit overload" is how Coach Hud phrased practice #4 for the Lions on Tuesday.  "We have thrown just about the entire playbook at them in three days and it shows.  The effort has been good, but there have been to many mental mistakes.  Hopefully in the next few days we can minimize the number of mistakes before Saturday's first big scrimmage of the year,"  Coach Hud stated.  Hudspeth also noted, "The defense is ahead of the offense at this point, but that is the case almost everywhere every year.  We have a veteran group on the first team defense and the retention has been good.  Offensively, we are still playing with some different WR and OL combinations and trying to get our new guys up to speed."  The Lions will practice in full pads for the first time on Wednesday morning.

PRACTICE NOTES
MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 2007; 6:32 PM

The University of North Alabama Football team held it's first practice that included the entire team.  The previous day was split between veterans and newcomers.  Coach Hudspeth said, "I thought we got out of the blocks well but faded a little in the end.  We have to condition these guys to push through an entire practice and not let outside factors such as heat make us loose focus.  I think our wide receiver core has really been a bright spot in camp thus far.  Jason Messing looks sharp and is leading that group.   Co-Lin CC transfer Rocky Coleman looked impressive this morning also."  Coach Hudspeth also said that Miami of Ohio transfer Tramaine Sills had an impressive one on one pass rush period along with Tim Hunt.  Coach also noted that the offensive line is making progress while taking a look at a lot of different combinations of personnel.  UNA returns to the practice field Tuesday morning at 8:30.

PRACTICE NOTES
SUNDAY, AUGUST 12, 2007; 11:20 PM

The Lions went thru split practices on Sunday with the newcomers going first in the morning practice followed by the veterans in the afternoon.  In the morning practice Coach Hud praised the efforts of Oxford High School freshman Charles McClain, Charles Henderson High School freshman DL Leroy Fifer, freshmen FS Harrison Bryant, also from Charles Henderson, and Hazel Green Freshmen DL Thomas Glenn.  Junior College LB signees Leroy Collins and Neal Mitchell also showed promise.

In the afternoon practice veteran practice, Coach Hud thought that the efforts, attitude and retention from spring were the keys to having one of the best first days of camp the staff could remember.  Quarterback  A.J. Milwee looked sharp in skelly along with WR Jason Messing and TE Covington Wright.  Defensively, Michael Johnson, DE Anthron Dillon, and DL Tim Hunt were easy to spot during a spirited team session.

The Lions will conduct their first full team season tomorrow as they prepare for their season opener September 8th versus Tusculum.

Coach Hud also mentioned how much he appreciated Florence Park and Recreation Department for allowing the Lions to use their facility.  "I want to commend the Florence Park and Rec on having such a fine facility and allowing us to use it during camp.  It is a first class facility and you can tell that they take great pride in it as it has on of the best fields I have seen.  I also want to thank Ronnie Hooper for getting all of the details worked out for us."

LION FOOTBALL TEAM REPORTS FRIDAY

The University of North Alabama football team will begin it's defense of the 2006 Gulf South Conference championship Friday when the Lions report to begin preseason workouts.

UNA head coach Mark Hudspeth expects more than 120 student-athletes in the preseason workouts, which begin with meetings Friday, physicals and a conditioning test Saturday and workouts on Sunday. The practices from August 11-17  will be at Veteran's Park in Floremce. The Lions will then move back to the on- campus practice facility on August 18.

UNA went 11-1 last season, winning the Gulf South Conference title and advancing to the quarterfinals of the Division II playoffs.

North Alabama opens its season on Sept. 8 at home against Tusculum.

"Since we don't play the first two available weekends, we are having to start practice later than most folks and that has un edge a little," said UNA head coach Mark Hudspeth. "We're ready to get practice underway."

Hudspeth says the 2007 group of Lions should be "the most talented group we've put together in my six years at UNA." But he says that talent will have to come together and "all pull in the same direction" if the Lions hope to make another run at the NCAA Division II National Championship.